Stones found on one of the tables at the café today, one marked with a price (£3.50) and a name (Alex). Possible theories concerning these objects:

Alex is making his first foray into the world of commerce, selling stones from the beach. While the idea isn’t entirely without merit, it is only likely to appeal to people with stiletto heels who do not want to break them on the pebbles – a limited market. Anyone otherwise so lazy they cannot be bothered to go the extra few feet to gather their own would have been unlikely to have made it as far as the café from their car. If Alex wishes to pursue this venture he should consider a stall by the roadside, although the gift-wrapping is a nice thought.

Alex himself (or possibly herself) has been sold for the measly sum of £3.50. Indeed, judging by the pile of stones and the Kleenex, the vendors might have settled for these instead of cash.

This second theory begs several further questions:

Why has Alex been sold? Is it because Alex had been naughty (Alex must have been very naughty indeed, children usually fetch a much higher price) or because Alex’s parents were hard up and needed to buy some petrol for the car so they could go home? (These things happen, but they’ll be in for a surprise when they try to pay with the rest of the pebbles)

Who to? This particular question holds limitless possibilities, though, given the stones left behind, perhaps as change, it is most likely to be mermaids (mermaids use stones for currency, see entry: ‘Finding treasure – Sun 14th Dec’).

Where is he or she now? Well, that would depend on the correct answer to the above questions.

What do you think?