Chapter 109: Chapter 109

THE ENDTortoise Interruptus by JL Merrow

For Sandra Lindsey, who, when told of the real life incident that inspired this tale, said, “Tortoise-napping? Sounds a good start for a silly story…”

“So, that’s a Tiptree’s Tasty Ham Salad Roll, and an Isle of Wight Elderflower Juice,” Janey said cheerfully. “Can I interest you in a packet of red squirrel flavoured crisps? No? That’ll be six pounds seventy-five then, please. Tip, you ready with that ham salad roll? Tip?”

Tip shook his head. There was an unpleasant rushing in his ears, and his sister’s voice had started to sound like it was coming from underwater. “Sorry—got to go.”

Janey sighed, then bellowed to her husband, “Mike? Can you give us a hand? Tip’s having one of his turns.”

“You don’t have to shout it to the whole café,” Tip muttered, untying his apron with shaking hands. “You make me sound like a Victorian spinster. They’ll be offering to unlace my stays.”