Mercedes (Miguel’s wife) has bought some food from the supermarket for lunch.

She is walking back

home with her dog, Lola, when she bumps into Carmen – her bags of groceries fall everywhere. Carmen
wants to give Mercedes advice, but is rude to her.

Oops, sorry! I didn’t see you there.

No, it was my fault, I was daydreaming. Oh no, you’ve dropped your bags in the road, let me
help you pick them up.

Don’t worry, I’m fine. Could you hold onto the dog for me while I get the bags?

Yes, of course. Wow, that’s a big dog! What’s his name?

It’s a female dog actually. Her name is Lola, she’s a German shepherd and she’s six years old,
but she still acts like a puppy! She’s always running around, chasing birds and causing trouble.

Haha, yes she has a lot of energy – I need both hands to hold on to her!

She’s excited to be in the countryside. My husband and I moved to Villanueva last week from
Madrid. There were plenty of parks for Lola to run around in there, but not like this… the whole
town is her park now!

Bless her. Is your husband Miguel?

Yes! How did you know?

I spoke to him today, he was looking for paint for the kitchen. I’m Carmen by the way, good to
meet you.

I’m Mercedes, good to meet you too. I would shake your hand but I’m trying to pick up these
bags…

Oh, the bags, of course! Is everything alright?

I think so, all my groceries look OK but…. Oh no! I’ve just bought eggs, and they’ve all broken!
What a mess! I just bought them from the supermarket, now I have to go again.

Oh dear, you bought your eggs from the supermarket?

Yes. Is that a problem?

Well, you shouldn’t really buy eggs from the supermarket… we don’t like chain shops here in
Villanueva, and we don’t like people who shop in them.

Hang on, are you telling me where to buy my eggs?

It’s just friendly advice. There’s so much local produce available here, it would be a shame to
ignore the local baker, the butcher, or the farm. Don’t worry though, I understand that people
from Madrid only shop in supermarkets – you’re new to Villanueva, but you’ll soon see that
we’re different here.

“People from Madrid”? That’s quite rude…

There’s a farm down the road, it sells lovely eggs at a good price – you should go there. Here’s
your dog… she certainly has a lot of energy! Make sure you control her and clean up after her.
In Villanueva, you get fined for leaving dog mess.

Um… thanks.

My pleasure, Mercedes.