This happened a long time ago I think about 18 years to be as accurate as my memory will allow. It was a quiet Friday afternoon in our Bawtry store. Back then the shop was a simple lock up unit as compared to the three department store as it is now. As was often the case then, I was working alone. I think I was reading the paper probably planning what wine to buy for the evening or which mate I would visit.

I think I was ready to drop off when a metallic blue BMW double parked outside and a small man jumped out of the car and strolled in. He entered the shop making a point of avoiding my greeting. Instead he walked around the shop trying to look around every corner nook and cranny. I walked over to him said, "Hello can I help Sir", and again he declined to answer.

He then stood next to the front door and just smiled. At this point I thought, here we go, time for a scuffle I have a crazy one here. I was thinking, can I throw him out, he is not big (less than 6 foot) when a really giant fella came walking in. At this point I ran out of ideas; did these guys want to buy something? When I say man number two was big he was about 6 foot 5 tall and came in at 25 stone. A little bigger than me.

Just when I thought are we here to buy or break the shop a small light framed man came rushing in. Now, the first two guys had basically said nothing and hadn't answered any questions with anything other than "no". The little guy was different; his suit was of a poor quality and he had thick hair gelled into a fifties style. The first two guys looked like first and second division heavies. So now the little guy began to speak. "Shoes for the boss now please his feet they hurt". I replied "What size is sir looking for?" he said "10 big foot". There was nothing sinister about my three visitors they were just three eastern bloc mafia hit men who needed new shoes.

For the next twenty minutes we passed black smart shoes back and forth. The only thing that was consistent was the line, "How much we pay cash?". Now I will usually offer a small cash discount if we are looking at bulk buying (by paying cash at least the customer saves on processing so why not?). So, we went around the shop trying on and finally we settled on a Bally (remember them), a Barker and two pairs of slippers.

Now here comes the bit that always makes me smile: the bill was made up of all the figures I had quoted as we viewed our range so it came to £221.50 and before I could say. "Just give me £220 Sir", the guy pulled a wad of cash from his pocket that stopped me in my tracks. He had at least £10K on him in a tightly bound toilet roll like lump. He promptly threw £240 at me and span to leave the shop in haste. I shouted to him "Sir your change" and he just laughed.

The small guy picked up the boxes and into the BMW they went. Now, eighteen years ago £18.50 would be worth around £32 in today's value. I do not know why the Eastern Mafia had called but it bought a few rounds later. Thanks again.