Charli Mills is going all goosey on us, with her prompt from the Ranch this week

December 8, 2016 prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less) write using the word gander as a verb. A gander is a male goose, yet the Old English etymology of the word suggests it was once gandra which described a waterbird with a long neck (like a crane). In 1912, it became the act of taking a long look. What is the long look your story or character is considering?

This week’s episode has Penny and her mum Mary out Christmas shopping.

The Art of Looking 

‘Here, love, have a butcher’s.’

‘What’s he mean, mum?’ Penny eyed the stallholder as she whispered to Mary.

‘It’s rhyming slang: butcher’s hook, look.’

‘I don’t get it.’ Penny frowned.

The man had a permanent scowl, it seemed, intimidating Penny. ‘What’s you dad wear when he goes to work?’

‘Pyjamas. He works at home. Mum goes to her office.’

The scowl deepened. ‘What you go up to bed?’

‘My bedroom’s by the front door.’

He looked at Mary. ‘She’s hard work. Are you interested in anything specific?’

Penny scowled back. ‘We’ll have a good gander and let you know.’

(in case you are not sure, the man was going to suggest a city whistle for her dad’s business attire – whistle and flute, suit; and she would go up the old apple to bed: apple and pears, stairs)

And if you want to catch up with the ongoing story, here it is.