Sweet on You

Cheryl was looking forward to a trip down memory lane, but would it be as perfect as she remembered?

- Viv Doyle

Let’s make it the 29th of July to the 31st then.’

Cheryl smiled as she ended the call, excited at the thought of going to Brighton to meet her two school friends again. As teenagers they’d all had Saturday jobs in one of the local shops.

It had been fun working there, and at lunchtime, they’d go down to the seafront for a gossip. Then, once they’d eaten their sandwiches, Cheryl would offer them sweets from the paper bag that Billy who looked after the Pick ’n’ Mix had made up for her.

‘He’s really sweet on you!’ Sal always said while they all giggled at the pun.

He’d asked Cheryl what her favourites were.

‘Ooh, let me see.’ She’d taken her time, with the others giggling behind her back. ‘Well, if I’m feeling fruity,’ (explosions of stifled laughter) ‘…rhubarb and custards, or strawberry bonbons. If I’m in the mood for chocolate, some jazzies. Or for sweet breath,’ she’d winked at her friends, ‘Parma Violets.’

Poor Billy looked perplexed, then his face brightened. ‘Are there any you don’t like?’

Cheryl reeled them off. ‘Sherbet lemons, too sour. Fruit salad, stick to your teeth. Black Jacks, same reason’.