ENERGY AND SHORTBREAD

"It's that time of year," said my colleague, Paul as I gazed forlornly into the vending machine.

"Sorry?" I asked.

"Oh, the time of year when we all need a bit more sugar."

I'd not heard of this, but I reasoned that I could quite happily go along with it. It is, after all, freezing. And for me at least, the colder it gets the more I feel like stuffing my face with energising snacks.

The world was white this morning - deadly beautiful, sparkling and cold. Cars, windscreens, windows and wheelie bins were painted with frost and the bright sun cast icy shadows over the street.

I slung my rucksack over my back and pulled the front door to with a click. My stomach rumbled as I crunched across the grass to my car. Too late for breakfast again. I have to fix that.

"I'd say it's alright then," said Paul, "You know, for a bit more energy."

I pushed the buttons and selected #62: All Butter Shortbread. The machine whirred round and hooked the shortbread half-on the spiral and half-dangling over the precipice above the out-tray. Credit 00.00 said the machine.

"Brilliant." I said. Paul had already gone. I didn't have the energy to thump the machine, so I left it.