Her Name Was Lola

39 The Big Store

July 1997. Max dreams that he’s in a big store. Much bigger than Harrods. Very bright. Full of all kinds of things but it isn’t clear what they are. He seems to have bought something but his hands are empty. A pretty young woman in a black dress is facing him. ‘Thank you for helping me choose,’ says Max.

‘My pleasure,’ says the woman. They’re looking into each other’s eyes so Max kisses her. Tiny kiss, closed mouth. She smiles broadly, almost sings ‘La la la.’ ‘If I can help you with anything else, please let me know,’ she says as Max wakes up.

He looks at his hands. ‘What did I buy?’ he says.