Motes and beams

For reasons which may take too long to explain, I went to buy a Victorian bathing costume in the town today. Hidden off Station Street is a theatrical costumier, which provides, amongst many other things, a fine choice of striped all-in-ones.

Remarkably, it appears their bathing suits have never actually got wet, since they are used on stage for boating poses and not plunged into pools. That's about to change.

The costume shop is set inside a high-roofed old building and as I gazed around I espied there perched on the rafters this row of mannequins.

Most of the company's trade is mail order, and very few must make the journey up the stairs and see these headless torsos.

But that's their loss. They are a magnificent centre piece.

Blip done, and costume in hand, I returned to the streets below.

Tomorrow the costume meets the pool. And these mannequins will doubtless maintain their silent watch on the store beneath.