All and Sundries// [08/30]

[union-jane.livejournal.com]

After another few days of feverish hibernation, Seras dug herself out of bed, dressed a bit more warmly than the summer weather warrented, and made her way to All and Sundries for her shift. She'd gotten quite pale and there were purplish circles under her eyes.

Par for the course, another huge shipment of glitter had arrive. Seras signed the invoice and set about stocking the odious stuff.

All and Sundries is open.

Comments

[spit-spot.livejournal.com]

The door opened and a sudden gust of wind rushed through the door before Mary.

The air swirled around the store as if casing the joint before she stepped in and let the door swing closed, causing the indoor breeze to die down.

"Good day."

[union-jane.livejournal.com]

Seras, who had been getting a headache from trying to tell the difference between mint green and sea-foam green glitter, felt a chill run down her back.

Mysterious breezes lead to bad things. Like being sucked into books. At leas there hadn't been a thump...

"Hello?" she called out, her voice a bit tentative.

[spit-spot.livejournal.com]

"Hello?" Mary called heading back to where she heard the voice.

"I don't suppose you work here and could tell me..." she caught sight of poor sick Seras. "Good heavens young lady! Are you alright?"

[union-jane.livejournal.com]

Seras did her best to straighten up, brush the glitter from her clothes and look like someone who was NOT currently in the grips of consumption.

"I've been worse," she said. Which was the truth. Of course, she'd also been better. Fun thing, selective truth telling.

"And, I do work here. Can I help you, ma'am?"

[spit-spot.livejournal.com]

"I was wondering if you had Sunlight Soap (http://www.unilever.com/ourcompany/aboutunilever/history/1885_1900.asp) actually." she sniffed.

[union-jane.livejournal.com]

Seras moved away from the glitter barrels and, leaving a sparkly trail in her wake, made her way to the front counter and began to consult her stock lists.

She was about to inform the prim woman that, no, they didn't seem to have her soap in stock when Baldrick, as always, heralded by his odour, popped up.

"Sure, we 'ave that!" he said with a grin, "Came in the Saturday you was off sick, Miss Seras."

[spit-spot.livejournal.com]

Mary raised an eyebrow at the helpful, but dirty little fellow.

My goodness but wasn't anybody who worked at this establishment permitted to take time for their health and hygiene?

[union-jane.livejournal.com]

Seras nodded.

Right. They had soap. This was good. Finding it, however...

"And, where did you stock the soap, Baldrick?"

"In the gardening section, Miss. Right near the fertilizers."

[spit-spot.livejournal.com]

Of course.

"Thank you very much sir." she nodded to Baldrick before addressing Seras, "And that would be where?"

[union-jane.livejournal.com]

"Follow me, please, Ma'am," she said and headed towards the gardening section.

She thanked Baldrick and made a mental note to buy him something extra nice for lunch today.

[spit-spot.livejournal.com]

Mary sniffed at being called "Ma'am" rather then "Miss" but supposed to a girl so young anybody older then her was a "Ma'am".

"Certainly." she said following Seras.

[union-jane.livejournal.com]

Seras, who was happy to be on two feet and speaking coherently never mind noticing lack of years or wedding rings, lead the way to the gardening depot.

"We..er, we have some very effective cold remedies," she said, noticing another sniff from the lady.

[spit-spot.livejournal.com]

Mary looked down at Seras with her circles under her eyes and pale skin.

"You do?" she asked quirking a brow, the corner of her mouth twitching upwards.

[union-jane.livejournal.com]

The corner of Seras' mouth may have made a return twitch.

"According to the labels, at any rate."

[spit-spot.livejournal.com]

"I have my own medicine thank you." she nodded.

Mary rather thought it could certainly do Seras some good.

[flash-mage.livejournal.com]

Following that Walter bloke's advice, John popped his head into All and Sundries to see if they had Silk Cut in stock. And, more importantly, if they would be obliging enough to start a tab for him.

[union-jane.livejournal.com]

Seras looked up from where she'd been shoving the barrel of navy coloured glitter next to the cobalt coloured one.

"Can I help you?"

[flash-mage.livejournal.com]

The grin that John put on his face might have been described as charming. Others would have been more inclined to say 'shit eating'.

Neither description mattered, really. Because the instant John saw those eyes and that hair and heard that accent, his expression froze and became something ghastly.

Of their own accord, his eyes darted to her sides.

Both arms. She's got both arms, so just relax, mate. Get yer fags'n get out.

He cleared his throat.

"D'you carry silk cut, luv?"

[union-jane.livejournal.com]

Seras kicked the last barrel of glitter --aubergine-- into place.

Stronger in our legs...

Seras mentally added a tick onto her list of English People in Fandom and made her way to the cigarette display case.

"Yeah. How many d'you want?"

If John's expression was out of the ordinary, she was too worn out to notice. Her focus was on getting this last customer served and getting back to the dorms.

[flash-mage.livejournal.com]

John was about to ask for his usual thirty, but he had the feeling he'd be smoking a bit more than that this evening...

"Er...make it a carton, luv. Could you start a tab for me, then?"

For the love of all that's good n' holy say yes...

[union-jane.livejournal.com]

Seras nodded. Ordinarily, she'd have been a bit more wary, but she wanted to get done and get back. And, this fellow seemed about as eager to leave as she was.

"If I could just have your name and address, it should be no problem."

[flash-mage.livejournal.com]

"John Constantine," he said and rattled off the rest of it. He stared at the various wares in the store; the books, the vodka, the glitter. Any place but at this girl's face.

"You...you wouldn't happen to be from Newcastle, would you?"

[union-jane.livejournal.com]

Seras shook her head as she finnished up John's tab and handed him over his cigarettes.

"No, London."

[flash-mage.livejournal.com]

London. Right. Should have known. He should have recognized that accent, East Ender about a generation removed.

She ain't from Newcastle. She's got both arms. It ain't her, Johnny boy, so get the fuck out've here with a modicum of dignity, right?

"Right. See you 'round then, kid."

He grabbed the carton of cigarettes and rushed out the door.

[union-jane.livejournal.com]

"Er...thanks."

Seras blinked then shrugged and got back to work with the glitter.