I nearly fell down the stairs with clumsy, hurried apologies and feet of the same caliber, swinging down the final step with one hand on the railing as I nearly scattered a pile of old books. "Sorry! So sorry! Did- Was- I heard something," I finished breathlessly, puling my jacket tighter on my frame to hide the stains on my shirt. I'd heard someone enter the shop - a first customer - and then a little yelp. Something scared the customer, you, obviously. "Apologies, very many. Uhm. Hullo! What did you need?"