Dozens of teacups

“In the 1950s and 60s I ran a newsagent in Dundee’s Hawkhill,” says a regular reader, “just on the corner of Annfield Road.

“We sold everything in that shop but the thing that sold most was single white teacups. Most people couldn’t replace whole tea-sets, but they were able to buy one or two cups as required.

“They were obtained from a supplier in the Hilltown who ran a wholesale business and we used to sell about six dozen white teacups every week.

“The shop was open seven days a week and my father would often help out on a Sunday. He was a great salesman and one particular Sunday, having been out on other business, I returned to the shop gasping for a cup of tea.

“I went into the back shop to put the kettle on and couldn’t find the teacups anywhere. My father had sold them to a customer as we didn’t have any left in the front shop!”