Bow, Friday 9th February

Outside the corner cafe, fat rain is pounding the puddles again. A dark heaviness sits on the early afternoon. The cafe owner sighs and pulls at his jumper, he’s sweating.

“One - two - three - four layers I am wearing today. Coldness is my one weakness. If I run over to the shop I have to be really ready or it will get me.”

I order a tuna and avocado baguette and, in a swerve from the prescribed menu, ask if he could put some lettuce in there too.

“No. It doesn’t go with the rest. I can put some of this nice aubergine in. It goes better. You like aubergine?”

“Hmm no, I think I’m okay.”

“You try it. It’s nice. Some aubergine - to try?”

Minutes later I am served a tuna baguette with avocado and aubergine.

The owner goes to the window. The rain won’t let up. A man dashes by with a newspaper over his head. Car lights skim through the wash.

He turns back from the window. I compliment him on the aubergine addition, it’s a good sandwich. He scrunches his face.

“Really? I wouldn’t eat it.”

I’m Twitter @theroryjohn