The Snow

Snow

So much snow, to run a gift shop in a remote village in the winter does have its problems and one of the problems for our shopkeeper this year, is travelling to her small emporium. But stoically The Shopkeeper valiantly makes the journey on the unaccustomed snowy roads, recent winters have been very mild so mild the media have dwelt much on global warming but this winter a complete contrast developed in December with snow falling carpeting the countryside glistening white. When the first snow arrived it took everyone by surprise The Shopkeeper bravely set out on roads that were very snowy and icy; the snow plough had not been round the conditions were quite arctic she gingerly travelled at 20mph. Her heart pounding she arrived in the village of Middleton-in-Teesdale very relieved to be in one piece.
The first job was to clear a pathway through the snow from her car to the back door of the shop. Then out in the front of her shop the same problem arose snow everywhere, out came her strong brush and she set to work clearing the whole pavement in front of the shop. This is not technically her job but she knew if she left it would travel into her shop making a fine old mess.
Each day running up to Christmas snow everywhere The Shopkeeper did find people were more in the Christmas spirit of things and were purchasing for Christmas as she cleared the pavement outside her shop of snow and slush she mused on these thoughts Christmas shopping had been slow to start; but with the white powder falling everywhere people had certainly got into the Christmassy spirit. So busy with the snow clearing The Shopkeeper was neglecting her shop glancing in she could see people waiting at the counter, she called “sorry I’m just clearing the snow” as she headed to her counter, “that’s not your job” the customer said her hands full of various items soft toys, Christmas paper, and many other goodies, she plonked them down on the small area of The Shopkeepers reserved piece of counter. The rest of her counter full of things various, as her sales reps’ ever increasing demands must be ‘at point of sale’ consequently the counter resembling a picturesque flower bed of plants tumbling over encroaching ever more of the trading area.

After the Christmas break the snow continued building up higher the countryside resembling more the traditional Christmas card. Snow ploughs valiantly keeping the roads open, The Shopkeeper cautiously journeying to her shop. Trade very much slumped due to the inclement conditions people were very cautious only making necessary journeys to the village and tourist who ventured out to the dale were also fewer. So The Shopkeeper had little to do except clear snow as it piled up in front of her small emporium. Lots of days she found herself keeping an eagle eye on the weather making a quick retreat up to the hill village of her home. On one particular day The Shopkeeper seeing the snow falling some what heavier with bigger flakes decided it was time to flee. The harrowing journey home wards through the blizzard conditions was quite hair-raising with the howling wind blowing from the snow clad moor forming drifts on the road fortunately a tractor loomed up in front. The Shopkeeper tense behind the wheel of her car felt somewhat relieved to see through the fog of drifting snow the sign of life if rather remote as her car skidded along. Not daring to stop as she knew her two wheeled drive car would skid and stick as she tried to resume. Then through the car mirror she spied another tractor behind, now feeling much more secure she plunge on keeping the momentum going driving from one side of the road to the other as she manoeuvred her car round the forming drifts. The journey seemed to take an age her hands sweating on the steering wheel while her body aching with tension as she peered through the windscreen, the wipers valiantly moving from side to side clearing snow with their steady reliable motion. At last her village then to The Shopkeeper’s relief her home, pulling in to the deep, piling up snow in the house gateway The Shopkeeper slumped down in her car seat only to be aware of the pounding of her heart, as relief washed over her, to be home at last.
Yes winter trading in her small gift shop does have problems most town shops could never envisage. The hazards of keeping a small country shop going are far removed from the imaginations of the masses.