Carrot Top

Today, I have contemplated carrots concerns.

Whilst I was standing there pondering whether to get chantenay or green-topped or organic or bagged, I was approached by someone else also considering buying carrots:

"Do you know how much these are, love?"
"69p" says I, pointing to the price label.
"Oh, thank you dear, I'm partially sighted, you see"

It was an elderly lady. We then proceeded to discuss the cons of carrots in a big bag, 'cause well, they go off, don't they, wouldn't use them all in time, perhaps better to buy the individual ones, then you can pick the ones you like the look of, etc etc...

The encounter lasted all of a minute or so, but that exchange stayed with me for far longer. She was obviously shopping for herself, alone. I was shopping for myself, alone. She has most of her life behind her, all seen and done and been. Perhaps she will go home to an empty house, perhaps she will have a carer or a visitor every now and again. I have most of my life ahead of me, all still fresh and ready to go. Though I know, I too, go back to home to an empty house. I, too, have to consider the implication of buying a whole bag of carrots when I know I probably won't be able to use them all before the best before.

What it comes down to, is that while I am young and she is old, we had one very obvious common factor. We are both alone. I am alone.

I decided not to buy any carrots.

On the jukebox: Amy MacDonald ~ Mr Rock & Roll