Fast Fiction: Will's Wife
In this short, short story Richard Mallinson presents a domestic drama which spans two years.
When Sadie rang up asking for help Will went to meet her and took her back to his house.
‘Why have you brought her here, you idiot?’ yelled his wife.
During the night Sadie began to scream in her sleep and Will and his wife went to her. Will woke her and talked soothingly to her.
‘I’m the one who’s having the nightmare,’ said Will’s wife.
Next morning Sadie lit a cigarette and said she had to be going.
‘I’ll drive you,’’ said Will. He went to kiss his wife but she evaded him. Then he drove off with Sadie.
*
‘No, he’s not here,’ said Will’s wife on the telephone. ‘He left for work at the usual time, a bit earlier in fact.’
‘Well, he hasn’t arrived yet - perhaps he’s had a breakdown, ha ha,’ said Will’s boss, a large fellow called Ackroyd.
Silence.
Then Ackroyd said, ‘No doubt he’ll turn up.’
*
A couple of years later, when Ackroyd had moved in with Will’s wife, Will did turn up.
His wife came to the door but didn’t speak. Will followed her in. He noticed how smoothly she walked.
‘Look who’s here,’ she said, going into the living room.
Ackroyd stood up, nodded and went out.
Will’s wife sat down and crossed her legs. Will sat opposite. They looked at each other.
‘Now,’’ she said, ‘what shall we talk about?’
