THIS STORY IS NOT SUITABLE FOR READERS UNDER 12
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Chapter 17: Thunderstorm begins here:
As Muriel was clocking out she overheard Tom talking to Linda. She peered discreetly around the lockers to watch them.
“I don’t want to get her into trouble,” he said, “I mean, she’s a nice person. Just very slow.”
“So she’s still not doing her share of the work?”
“Not as much as she should, no.” He lowered his voice as if worried he might be overheard. “Maybe I’m just a pushover but she’s always complaining about aching knees, or stiff hands or some such thing. So I feel guilty not doing things for her.”
Linda shook her head. “She should come to me if she’s got medical problems, it’s not your job to pick up her slack.”
“Sorry,” Tom looked full of regret that he’d had to mention it, “but you said to keep you informed.”
He turned to walk away and Muriel quickly stepped back behind the lockers so he didn’t see her.
“What a sleaze,” she thought to herself. “He’s the one who’s been complaining about Velma!” She would tell her later. No, tomorrow. She wouldn’t see her until tomorrow.
Muriel needed some fruit and greens for her smoothies, and some bread, so she turned right out of the department store and walked towards the indoor market. She knew it closed soon but hoped she would make it in time. It was getting dark already. It had been very dull and grey all day. Thick black clouds filled the sky and rain seemed imminent.
As she walked down the steep hill she had a funny feeling. She stopped suddenly and a man almost bumped into her.
“Sorry.”
“Sorry,” keep your distance mate! That was one thing she’d enjoyed about the Covid days – people didn’t crowd you. She scanned the street and, not seeing anything to worry about, continued her walk to the market.
The fruit and veg stall was packing up but they were still happy to serve her so she put a few apples, pears and satsumas in a basket. “Have you got any cavolo nero?” she asked.
“No, sorry,” the woman told her, “but we’ve got curly kale. And spring greens.”
“Oh, spring greens will do. Thank you.” Muriel paid the woman, said goodbye and went to the bread stall.
Unfortunately, it had just closed. Damn! Then she heard a crash of thunder and hurried to exit the building in an effort to get home before the rain started.
She looked down to zip up her jacket as she reached the door and one of her apples toppled out of her bag. Blast! It rolled across the floor and stopped at the feet of a man who was also on his way out. He picked it up and gave it to her.
“Thank you.”
“No problem.” He walked past her and through the door into the street. He was wearing the same dark blue anorak and black beanie as the guy who bumped into her ten minutes ago.
Is that the same guy? She wondered. Well, what if it is? He happened to be going the same way as her, that’s all. She put the apple back in her bag and left the building. A big wet drop hit her on the head, and another hit her arm. Damn! She pulled up her hood and hurried. Thankfully she didn’t live far away. No more than ten minutes’ walk.
The rain started to come down hard and fast. She was getting drenched. She took long strides and was making good progress but her heavy bag kept slipping off her shoulder and her supposedly waterproof jacket was not living up to its hype. The rain was soaking into her sweatshirt underneath. But she was nearly home now. She’d soon be able to get out of her wet things.
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Chapter 17 continues tomorrow, unless you’d rather read it now 😀
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Velma the Vegan Vampire belongs to Violet Plum © 2026
Violet’s Vegan Comics – creating funny and exciting vegan fiction since 2012
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