Meanwhile outside she heard voices shouting, guttural and intimidating. She went to the curtain and looked out carefully into the dark. They were kids, teens and younger, in search of food, now willing to terrorise the neighbourhood for it.

     Sheila was nearly out of food! There was none to be had anywhere. She had been to the local shops just in case they had new stocks. People sat around nervously. Normal work was abandoned because of the food crisis. Electricity for TVs and computers, for shower units and water heating systems was no longer the main subject of conversation. Everyone talked about food now, and how to get it. They knew there was still some food around, there must be. The rich or the enterprising had got their hands on foodstocks as soon as it became scarce. Prices had shot up quickly and soon only the rich could get their hands on it. Neighbours found out who their real friends were as they negotiated to see who would let them have some of the precious food at an affordable price. It was strange how the market system operated even more effectively when there was a food shortage. People were realising they would have to pay far more than they were used to for food. People who rarely thought about prices were being forced to enter a significantly fluctuating market and to participate in it, or else to be without their most basic need.

     Sheila thought about the man who had offered her food instead of money, and she began to accept she might have to go there sooner or later, if he still had any food for her to earn and had not found other willing women to exchange the precious food with. The man’s offer had seemed inappropriate and crude at the time, but as the need for food became more urgent she began to contemplate that she might be able even to enjoy the other side to the exchange.