Mini Market 399 Hackney Road

and then I go to the shop with my coat on which I got from America too big and had to get it adjusted but it is still larger in the body than I need maybe it will shrink in the wash or maybe I will want the extra space for layers once the winter has really come on really set in and I get two different litres of juice I’ve been craving juice sometimes this craving means I am getting ill or I am just under-hydrated I say litre and I think they are I’ve seen cartons made to look like a litre but aren’t hang on

no

they're litres

and also I buy two cans of stronger beer from the glass fridge which are good-and-cold and the guy behind the counter wants to chat tells me they are running around a bit today that their card machine went down this morning and didn't come back until after lunch and of course nobody carries cash anymore so what can you do people just left the shop without buying things all day whereas if it was earlier and for less time no big deal maybe one customer leaves maybe two but it was the whole morning rush people on their way to work: sorry, our machine is down, do you have any cash? and then all the way through lunch too still no machine! and they called the phone company and they checked their hardware but in the end it is the payment provider that has gone down and all of the people who use them are affected it is all sorted out by around two what a day!  I tell him well done!  I say you got through it! and at least it wasn't just you, goodbye  I tell him see you later I tell him and this easily the longest chat I have had with him in what sixteen years and out I go into the street with three types of liquid in a blue bag and for a moment think about just stepping into the road without looking maybe

tonight is that night

but there are no cars coming

so tonight is not that night

I get home and tell Andre about the card machine and watch video highlights of sports events on YouTube and videos that explain how very large items of machinery are built videos with folks doing careful detailed restorations of vintage hand tools