Riches to be found - by Annie Try

I am into recycling and have become somewhat of a fan of charity shops. There are many treasures to be found there and it is impossible to make a mistake with anything bought because the main point is that a charity is being supported.

My searches have given me some favourite clothes and interesting quirky items. I once found some palazzo pants which were beautiful - excellent for when playing the cello while remaining modest yet still looking elegant afterwards. For anyone not familiar with these, the legs are so wide that when walking around they resemble a full flowing long skirt. They became a firm favourite for many years before finally beginning to disintegrate. Then there are a pair of M&S brand new soft green shoes, which comfortably match so many items already in my wardrobe. And, just before Christmas, I found 4 small sherry glasses for £1.

One of the charity shops in our nearby town has furniture as well as virtually everything else you’d expect to find. Lovely polished pieces from a bygone age as well as marvellous quirky chairs or headboards. There is a wide array of unusual cushions, interesting pictures, elegant mirrors, and both ugly and beautiful curtains.

My best finds are books - especially from No.8 The Old Bookshop which raises money for the West Norfolk Deaf Association.  This shop is an absolute joy with all books arranged in categories by author name and plenty of cards and small gift items which are new and sold on behalf of their makers. They have hosted me on book launches and signings before now and at one point I ran writers’ workshops in their shop to raise money for the charity. I don’t always buy secondhand books (you authors will be pleased to know) but I have found I can take a risk with a new-to-me author for a small outlay and that has widened my reading.

But what is not on the shelf is the greatest treasure for writers. Here we have reluctant teens trailing behind mothers or grandmothers, pretending they are not in a charity shop at all. Small children hide between racks of clothes or play with toys waiting to be sold. The avid readers studiously scan the bookshelves, oblivious to anyone else in the shop. A customer asks for an item ‘that was just there when I came in last’ and enquiring when there will be one of those in again. The volunteers, with their badges proclaiming their status, the shop manager to whom they all refer and the volunteer assigned to take in new donations. 

So many questions whiz around my head. What does that elderly gentleman do when he’s not browsing the pictures for hours? Does anyone look after him? Is he there for so long because he’s lonely? Why is that lady choosing so many items of colourful clothing in different sizes? Is she reselling on Vinted or eBay? Is the younger lady with her her daughter or her sister? If she’s a friend, why does she let herself be bossed around by the garment gatherer? Why isn’t the teenage girl in school? What is their story?

And what is my imaginary story about these people all meeting in this shop and arguing about a particular purple velvet jacket - why is the jacket be important? What will be found in the pockets? Who wore it last and to what event? Why has it been sent to the charity shop? Is the lady with the small dog really trying to reclaim the jacket to stop it being sold? Surely it’s too big for her. What is the tale to be told?

Well, now I want to write that story. But first I have some rather colourful palazzo pants to try on that I found in a charity shop!

Happy story-hunting!

Annie Try writes contemporary novels including the Dr Mike Lewis stories (Instant Apostle) and The Dangerous Dance of Emma JJ (Kevin Mayhew). Here she is signing books in No.8 The Old Bookshop.