The queue at the boulangerie wasn’t moving. Antonia had joined it 15 minutes ago and there was now a long line of people behind her snaking away into the distance. Fortunately, it was a Sunday morning, no one was in a hurry and the sun was shining, so people stood chatting or reading their phones. ‘What’s going on?’ Antonia asked the couple in front of her. ‘I don’t know for sure,’ the woman said, ‘but there’s a rumour that someone is trying to buy up the shop’s entire stock.’ ‘The manager is trying to limit the purchase,’ her partner said. ‘But the customer insists he is within his rights and demands to be served.’ ‘It’s not just one guy,’ a blonde youth added. ‘There’s a whole family in there with big wheely suitcases.’ A small van with the words Resolution – Emergency Mediation Services stenciled on the side drew up and a large man in a tight-fitting blue suit got out. From the back of the van he took a string bag of yellow plastic ducks and made his way through the crowd into the shop. Moments later laughter could be heard from inside. A young man in an apron emerged carrying a tray of petits fours and began making his way along the line. ‘Thanks for your patience,’ he said offering people in the queue a sweetmeat. ‘This might take some time.’
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Simon Collings
Picture Nick Victor
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