Rebecca’s mother gave her 4 pence for pocket money every month, as that was all that was ever left over after she had spent her cheque from the social. Rebecca loved lollies, and so saved her 4 pence, eagerly anticipating the day that she would have enough to buy a piece of heaven on a stick. 

That day had finally arrived!

Rebecca set out to the shops one morning, her assortment of coins clanging happily together in her secret front pocket. This secret pocket was not part of any clothing item, and Rebecca stored her most precious goods there.

Her local super market was a half an hour drive away, and, with no car, Rebecca had to walk! After three and a half hours of happily limping, she finally arrived at the store, and the doors opened, as if by magic, when she approached them.

“WOW.” Screeched Rebecca, wet with excitement.

Rebecca stopped limping when she got into the store, and ran like Road Runner to the confectionery aisle. 

She looked up and down the counters, stocked full with brightly coloured treats. Chocolate, popping candy, chewing gum, liqueurs… but no lollies. In fact, they had signs out for lollies, but… no stock.

Rebecca felt a hot tear roll down her silly face.

She felt like an idiot. Her secret pocket had lost most of her coins on the limp to the store anyway, but now there weren’t even any lollies to look at. To be comforted by. She started gasping for air. She could feels her lungs constricting, pushing air out and not letting any back in. Her forehead was sweating, her eyes bulging, and her hands began to tremble.

“WHY IS THERE NO GOOD IN THE WORLD,” she whispered.

“WHY IS THERE NO GOOD IN THE WORLD,” she said.

“WHY IS THERE NO GOOD IN THE WORLD.” she shouted. 

Rebecca jumped onto the displays, and started throwing sweets and chocolates all over the floor. She howled like a banshee as she did so, flecks of spittle stained the colourful plastics. She ran down the aisle, with her arms at a ninety degree angle to her body. She dragged her hands through the display, knocking anything and everything onto the floor. Two silent security guards ambled after her. Reaching the end of the counters, Rebecca looked behind her, and screamed.

Screamed for longer than she ever had done before.

She released her secret pocket, and her assortment of pence pieces fell to the floor with a hideous sound of metal on metal, screeching and scratching.

Rebecca screamed some more.

With her dignity now, in her view, returned to her, she silently skipped out of the shop. Bystanders looked on, agape. She skipped, but did not smile. Her face was thunderous as she jovially moved out of the store. She did not stop skipping until she got home, two hours later. Her feet were bloody, and three of her six remaining toes were broken or fractured. Rebecca did not notice, however, and went to sit in the shed.