The backstory - This happened in 1978. Sainsburys (the supermarket) do a thing now and again whereby a customer can round up their till receipt to the nearest £ and donate that extra to a charity. The maximum is therefore 99 pence. It costs next to nothing and everyone feels good about themselves and there is a benefit to the charity. My Scout Troop was bagging and carrying one Saturday to 'earn' the donation.

So, I am standing at the end of the bagging runway, when a wizened little old lady comes to the till with a basket. It all goes through the till and she rounds up the few odd pence.

I start bagging. First off, over a dozen boxes of condoms (not 3s, but boxes of 12). So, well over a gross of condoms - all sizes and textures and colours and flavours. Although surprised, I did my best not to be shocked (not in front of the boys).

It was the next articles that caused the consternation - equally as many tubes of Super Glue (Krazy Glue) as there were boxes of condoms.

No need to carry - she is walking home. End of transaction - I thought.

After she leaves, the boys all turn to me and start asking questions - Chas,CHAS,chas,CHas,DidShe?WasShe?Condoms?Super Glue?

"yes, Yes, YES! - We all saw it. We all know what she bought. And we all know that it is none of our business!" Situation defused - didn't I do well, I thought.

Then there was this little 12 year old voice from the back - "Maybe that's why she looks as old as she does!"

The rest of the day is a blur.

Regards

Chas