Helen Bach column: Undies and books... bought from real shops
In my bid to show support for actual bricks and mortar shops, I have been carefully venturing out for shopping since lockdown was eased.
We headed to Kettering’s High Street firstly to order and then to buy daughter’s A-level texts from Waterstones. The staff there were brilliant, and so helpful, deftly handling the lengthy booklist with ease.
They later phoned to say that a couple of titles were unavailable, then re-ordered the newer versions with no fuss when we established the correct ones.
They even thanked us for coming in to the store and shopping with them. Rest assured, we will be back when we get the next list through.
Onward then to Rushden Lakes, and a ‘pants pilgrimage’ to M&S.
That’s too much information, I know, but since our lovely M&S store closed in Kettering, I now have to head there to buy all the family undies.
I can’t single-handedly save M&S, but husband thinks I’m making a good effort.
The Food Hall in Corby has become like a second home, and my god-daughters are the welcome recipients of the ‘Little Shop’ miniatures we accumulate. I just hope they are all recyclable.
Back to Rushden Lakes, and I’m getting used to seeing queues everywhere, but the queues for Primark are really something else.
There are so many people a special section of the car park has been specially cordoned off for them.
As I stood patiently waiting outside M&S, I noticed something small moving on the pavement. Curious, I took a closer look and discovered it was a baby toad.
Now, why a baby toad was there I have no idea, but it was heading with purpose to cross the road to get to Next. It must have heard about their sale.
Concerned for its welfare and almost certain death under the wheels of the numerous cars heading into the car park, we carefully scooped it up, walked it across the car park, and released it near the lake and wooded area behind House of Fraser.
In ‘normal times’ I maybe wouldn’t have seen it; perhaps proof that there are benefits to slowing down and taking more time to appreciate your surroundings?