I.
The rack of beef hung proudly
as if to say “This is my destiny -
I am of much more substance
than my fellow lamb and pig”
The lamb just cried as the hog
protested with a snort.
The chicken clucked her
disgust at the insult of being
displayed with such a lot.
And naked without her feathers!
And upside down for that matter
was humiliating as well.
It must be stated that this banter
is merely speculation.

II.
Gus the Butcher always strove
to display his wares
with dignity (theirs,
not his) and pride.
The skilful showing
of this imposing carcass
was of great concern to him
as was his integrity and manners.

He knew the ladies were
of a delicate demeanour
and he tried to keep
the ever present and unavoidable
appearance of blood
to an absolute minimum.

He had to hurry this morning.
For at half past eight
Mrs. Bramley was due.
She was punctual and selected
Wednesdays for her shopping.

As he finished
wrapping the parcel of cuts,
the bell clanged
as the door opened inward.
Gus turned in surprise.
It wasn’t the feisty dowager but
a much lovelier sight.
“Good Morning Mr. Appleton”
said Tess with a glowing smile.
Gus stuttered and stammered for a bit,
loosing his composure.
“Good morning Miss Meadows”
finally escaped as his face turned red.
“I need a roast for dinner this evening”
she blushed.

Ah well, yes… um.
“Beef, Lamb or Pork?”
He smiled.
“Beef, I believe”
She smiled back.
“Well now.
We have Brisket, Chuck, Flank,
Rib, Rib-eye, Rump and Round,
Tenderloin and Sirloin Tip”
Her smile began to fade to consternation.
“I didn’t realise there was so much choice.”

“Oh never fret –
How many will you be serving?”
“It is just for me and Father.
Mother has gone to visit her sister”
“I see. Well how about a small lean
Eye-Round Roast?”
he replied with a grin and a wink.
“I would be very pleased”
They paused and simply
smiled to one another.
He quickly went to work
wrapping up the purchase”

The door jangled once again.
Both Gus and Tessa turned,
each blushing
with that slight embarrassment
of being caught –
although nothing untoward had happened.
“Good Morning Mrs. Bramley”
they uttered in unison.

A sly smile broke out upon
the elderly woman’s face –
evermore endearing them to her
but increasing their embarrassment.
“Warren!”
she scolded the spaniel
“behave yourself”
as she tethered him to the door.
He was barking at a squirrel
or something of the sort.
His eyesight was poor
and his hearing even worse.

“Good Morning Miss Meadows.
Augustus.”
“Good Morning Mrs Bramley”
again in unison
as if they were addressing
the matron of sixth form.

Tess took this as her cue to leave.
“Thank you very much Mr. Appleton”
handing him a coin.
“Thank you, indeed, Miss Meadows”.
passing her the package.
They tried extra hard in the exchange
to avoid the contact of flesh.
But a brief brush of his hand
against her tiny palm
brought a fresh flush
to her already glowing face.

“Come again!”
The door had barely closed
when Mrs. Bramley chimed in
“Oh, I’m sure she will Augustus.”
Gus stammered a bit and looked
from door to dowager to floor
in quick succession.
Her smile broadened
into a very knowing grin.

To escape, Gus reached
behind his chopping block -
as was his weekly custom -
and tossed a bone to Warren,
who waited ever so expectantly
at the end of his leash.
Once he had bone in maw,
he slathered over it
quietly by the door.

Gus presented her package
and as she handed him his fee
blatantly declared
“I dare say Augustus
that little lass might make you
an excellent wife”.

She opened the door
and flashed him a smile
Warren was relishing his bone.
Gus stared at Mrs. Bramley
with shock and awe.
He had never confessed his attraction
but she didn’t need the words.
His eyes told all -
even if his lips kept silent.

“Of course Miss Dane and Miss Stride
will be sorely disappointed”
He couldn’t believe the candour
with which this matron spoke.
“Don’t be shocked Augustus”
she consoled the butcher
“Your secret is safe with me,
after all, Trusty Gus
isn’t the only one with discretion.”

To read more about The Village:

The Butcher
The Coy and Lovely Maid
An Ordinary Place
The Recipe Club