Lighthouse

It took me a while, and many endless hours waiting in shops, to understand the fascination with shoes and the 'must have' matching handbag. But why would she need a new purse?

The old one had hardly been used. Carried everywhere, but never opened, well, not in my presence anyway. The catch still brand new, as shinny as the day it was made, and the leather in perfect condition. Even the coins it contained showed our Queen as a young woman.

Credit cards in neat rows, never scuffed by scanning or chip 'n pin machines. Not much use any more as the pin number have long been forgotten. A receipt, some four years old, print faded and hardly readable, despite never being exposed to daylight. A card warning of an unusual blood group, and a Donner Card with next of kin carefully printed. All now have a new home.
It was a suggestion from her sister. She had just bought one and was showing it off at a recent visit. As she was getting one for another sister, would my wife like one too? Well, of course she would.

"I'll post it to you", said sister, "and you can send me a cheque", looking in my direction, knowing that my wife can't write a cheque. "It will last for ages", she added. I bet it will, thought I.

We took it for a drive today. To a garden centre where it easily could have been put to good use. No, it was my wallet, my very old battered wallet, that was opened to make the purchases. A watering can for me, an orchid and two Christmas cards (buy them when you see them), for my wife. She didn't flinch, not even when I mentioned that now would be a good time to see if her purse worked. It stayed hidden in the dark recesses of her handbag. There, I expect, it will languish, until another new purse takes it's place.

But it's hardly been used, so why would she need a new purse?

# posted by LePhare @ 12:02 AM