SEPH THORNTON

Saturday the ninth of April, the second day of ‘The Panton Village Fare’; the stalls have been up and running for over an hour, it is anticipated it will be the busiest day. Today a band from the Royal Air Force is tuning up to give a recital on the green. In fact several of the band have already arrived; Seph listens with envy as he hears them rehearse; he thrills at the sound of the brass instruments, as they play a few bars to a Glen Millar number, ‘Pennsylvania 65000’. Every time they shout the number, Seph joins in. “Excuse me!” a woman asks of him, “Pennsylvania 65000” he shouts, “ I beg your pardon the woman asks. “Have you any baking dishes?” she asks him, this time getting his attention, “Sorry, er yes we do, traditional blue line or, all coffee colour?” he says showing her the choice.

Nearby, his dad has a brisk trade; the boots are going down a treat. He has even started wearing a pair himself.

Wynn and Maud are off to do a bit of shopping in Louth today. While Charlie, has decided to take a meander around the Village Fare. He has heard that, there are dog trails, sometime in the afternoon; he used to have a Border collie. The RAF band is playing as Charlie looks around the various stalls. At one stall, there are some paintings on display; they seem to be of the same artist, so he has a word with the stallholder. “Are they all from the same brush!” he asks, the woman smiles, “Well I use different brushes all the time.” she replies. “Oh!” Charlie exclaims, “your the artist! I do apologies.”  He then draws her attention to a painting in particular. “Where was this one painted, if I might ask?” the artist takes a quick look, “Oh that is Louth Market, I saw these two young lads on a stall, it was a flash of inspiration, I drew them, but I made it look like a Victorian market, giving them the attire of the period.” she explains to him. Charlie is thrilled, the images she has captured he is sure, are Seph and John; “How much is it?” he asks, “Three pounds ten shillings sir, and that includes the frame.” she replies. “I will take it thank you; it is a really good painting.” Charlie says, finding his wallet; from it he takes out four one pound notes, he hands them to her. “Thank you so much sir.” she says to him, as she lifts the painting from its hook, then wrapping it in a large sheet of brown paper, then tying with string; she hands it to Charlie, along with a ten bob note as change; he is really chuffed with his purchase, he thanks her again then wanders around the rest of the market. John is doing a bit of vocal selling, loud mouthing encouragement to pull the crowds in; Seph has been trying, but today nobody seems very keen on crockery, not only that, his voice has become horse trying to sell. “Mind if I take a walk John?” he asks, “I need to get some throat pastilles, or something.” John carries on shouting; as he does he just waves Seph to go. “Come on now, a top dinner service, for half the shop price, take a look, and take them home.” he calls out. Seph disappears into the crowds. Where ever he goes, he carries his duffle bag with him; sadly it has become a little tat with continual use, probably time to find a new one. As he walks around, he buys a pack of ‘Fisherman’s Friend’, which soothes his throat, while they also appeal to his sweet tooth. Then his eye catches a stall selling bags of all kinds. He walks past it at first, not wishing to be seen looking at a stall, that is selling mostly women’s handbags. Then as he looks, he catches sight of the perfect shoulder bag, and only four shillings; he walks nearer to take a look, a voice questions him, “I never knew you were into women’s bags!” feeling like he has been caught committing a crime, he turns around sharply to see who it is. “Julie!” he blurts out, as she laughs, “ten out of ten!” she replies, while seph feels compelled to explain, “no! I need a new school bag, i carry lots of important things.” he says. Julie walks to his side, “then let me help you find one.” she offers. Then without any more ado, she leans across the stall to reach for the same bag seph had his eyes on, “how about this one!” she encourages, “well, I,” he begins, then changes, saying, “I think it is perfect!” Julie then asks the stallholder, “Can I have this one please” taking five shillings from her purse, she reaches out handing it across. “Thank you my love” the stallholder says, handing the bag across, packed in a large brown paper bag. “There you are Seph.” Julie says to him, as he fumbles, nervously finding four shillings in his pocket. “No it’s a gift from me to you.” Julie tells him. Lost for words, he starts to speak, then falters. “Honestly! It’s a gift.” she repeats. Then she asks him, “Have you had a drink, I know I have seen you working hard on your stall. I think you’re great to run your own business!”  Seph pulls himself together, “Come on, let’s get a cold drink! And thank you very much Julie.” they walk off the cafe, choosing to go somewhere quite. “So what are the important things you carry. I only carry school stuff.” Julie enquires, in curious tone. “Well”, Seph begins, trying to rephrase what he said, “what I meant was, this market business, I use the bag outside school time as well.” Julie nods, “wish I was as busy as you. I have not done much at all.” she confides, as they enter the cafe. Over a drink of cola, they talk at length, forming a close friendship.