Beachcombing

Usually it's my son who makes me pause in front of this window, but today, on my way home after returning some library books, I slowed down as I passed, and felt a little melancholy gazing into the darkened interior.

One of the best things about The Sentry Box is the music, for it always seems to be dance band music from the 1920s and 30s coming through the speakers behind the counter. Al Bowlly and Bing Crosby are so far from the sounds and images of childhood that normally surround us, I find it hard not to laugh out loud.

Long after closing time, the shop is silent, robbed of its most distinctive feature.