Bacalao

Foreigner In Portugal At the local shop I met an elderly woman, mind most of the women I meet are elderly but this one was primordial, she dropped her bag when seeing me and exclaimed is it true you have two hearts? Not wishing to disappoint her. I confirmed rumours she had heard. I even let her touch the battery just under my skin. Nothing keeps a secret in a small village, it appeared they knew before me, the doctor who did the job came from farming stock, perhaps he rang someone. Odd people live here, those who were young when I came here have middle-aged children now, but forever I’m referred to as the English, telling people I’m from bacalao land is met with a smile...I’m English so there.