My little problem at the point of sale

YEARS ago I was on holiday with the family in Seaton, on Devon’s south coast. I like prowling round the various stalls selling bric-a-brac and came across one in a back street.

The stallholder was brandishing an ornamental sword-stick, pulling it in and out of the sheath before selling it to a customer. I have a small collection of walking sticks at home and thought this would make a fine addition, so I asked if he had another.

‘Certainly, sir,’ he said, producing another from under his table. He then tried to draw it in and out, as he had with the other one, but it wouldn’t budge. I took it off him and tried myself, but with no success; it seemed firmly stuck.

The stallholder assured me it was the same as the other one he had sold and offered it to me at half-price. I thought for a moment and decided it was worth the risk at that price.

As I was about to accept, a man behind me reached over. I thought he was going to buy it, but he took the sword stick and flicked a metal band just below the hilt. It released the safety mechanism and the sword moved smoothly in and out of the sheath.

The stallholder put the price back up and I cursed my indecision for costing me a bargain. I bought it, though, and it graces my hallway. A bargain at twice the price! Mike Wallace, Cheltenham, Glos.