‘Just the paper and a carton of milk please, Mr Singh.’
‘There you are. Take care now, Edna.’
Edna walked home, threading her way along the crowded pavements, her walking stick keeping her upright. She smiled at people occasionally, but no-one smiled back.
She made a cup of tea and read the paper, then sat back, recalling Mr Singh’s words: ‘Take care now, Edna.’
Several times that day she replayed his words in her head. Perhaps tomorrow someone else would speak to her.