Post 13 - Tax Avoidance re-edited

So I've had another shot at this and really struggled to be ruthless.

The gnawing wind scything down Castlegate had the shoppers clutching at their clothing against the onslaught.Great Grandfather Kenneth, with Lydia, his great granddaughter in tow, tackled the wind head on.

“I'm cold Grandy can we go to Starbucks for a hot chocolate?” the little one pleaded, catching sight of the coffee shop on the next corner.

“Certainly not with those tax avoiding b's” replied her great Grandfather, remembering just in time to moderate his language for his darling Lydia, “we'll go somewhere much nicer”

Two minutes later they were pushing open the ornate door of Brucciani's tea rooms and were embraced by the gush of warm chocolate-coconut scented air. A wide eyed Lydia gave a contented sigh.

From behind the counter bustled a dark haired, portly man beaming a welcome.

“Kenneth, how lovely to see you, my friend,” He said extending his hand, “and who is this lovely lady?” turning to Lydia.

Tweaking her fleecy cap of her head Kenneth replied, “ Allow me to present my great Granddaughter Lydia. Lydia meet Alberto, the proprietor of this wonderful establishment.”

Lydia smiled shyly but a magnificent display of cakes was drawing her towards the counter.

Alberto turned to Kenneth and asked what he could get them.

“ An expresso for me Alberto and a small hot chocolate for Lydia, please”

“Not small, Grandy, not small.” said an indignant Lydia, “ and one of those please.” she wheedled, pointing to an enormous chocolate eclair.

Her Great Grandfathers eyebrows rose and Alberto chuckled.

“She know her own mind, that young lady”

“ She may do but if she's going to have that huge cake she's most definitely having a small hot chocolate or she'll be sick” said Kenneth and turning to Lydia added “ You wouldn't have got one of those in Starbucks.”

Kenneth should have known better than to mention the coffee chain in Alberto's vicinity. The expression on Alberto's amiable face immediately became thunderous

“You weren't thinking of going to those thieving devils?” he spat out, “wherever they go, places like mine suffer. The first month they opened down the road my takings were halved, halved I tell you.”

Kenneth was piloting Lydia towards an empty table. She looked a little alarmed at the sudden change in the man she had instantly warmed to. She was yet to learn that Italians often have volatile personalities and Alberto was no exception.

“ And now?” asked Kenneth calmly, looking round at the crowded tables and the queue at the counter.

“ Well, yes, OK, it's better now. But it's only because good loyal customers like you didn't desert us that we kept our heads above the water.”

“Nonsense Alberto, it was just novelty. Who wouldn't come in here in favour of Starbucks. Those chains are all corporate image and “Have a Nice Day” from staff who don”t give a damn.”

Lydia lost interest in the adult conversation as she stared about the magical place to which her Grandy had brought her. It was quite unlike anywhere she had been with her mother.

Like the Tardis, it was considerably bigger on the inside than it appeared outside. At six, Lydia knew little about style but this place, with its green leather benches and bent wood chairs was much more cosy than any Starbucks.

Her reverie was interrupted when a waitress slid a plate holding an eclair towards her.

“ …...... millions of pounds, Alberto, they owe the taxman. They've paid some back but not what they really owe. I'll bet you've never tried to avoid paying your dues have you.”

The incomprehensible conversation was still going on above her head so Lydia picked up her eclair, wrapped her small mouth around one end and bit firmly. Cream and custard oozed over her fingers and around her mouth. The two men engrossed in their talk failed to notice.

“Never! Britain took us in when life was so hard in Italy, why would we want to cheat?” Alberto winked, “don't tell my Mafia cousins though!”

He rose to leave and looking across to Lydia, burst out laughing. The little girl was a mess of chocolate, custard and cream.

“I get a cloth.” pronounced Alberto “And a spoon”

I've got it down to 713 words but I already feel its lost something on the way.

I've such had a horrible thought. The topic was tax avoidance and because it didn't inspire me I have essentially avoided writing about it in favour of something more interesting! Truth to tell I don't know a lot about tax avoidance other than I don't like Multinationals which make millions anyway, failing to pay their dues just because they can.

I'm now done with this exercise. I get the point and will try harder on subjects that float my boat.