Fast Fiction: On Hetton Hill
Does it really matter what your degree is in, when there or just the two of you on Hetton Hill?
Richard Mallinson tells of elevated encounters.
'Yes, when you're up here the world looks quite different,' he said.
They were on Hetton Hill, with views over two counties.
'I wish you'd say something less banal,' she said.
'Like what?'
'Like the higher one rises the less one sees.'
‘That's nonsense.'
'Try this, then. Where would those on top be without someone underneath?'
'That doesn't get us very far, either,' he said.
'Why, how far do you want us to get?' she said.
*
As they walked down he said, 'There's less to this than meets the eye.'
'Less to what?'
‘To our relationship.'
'But we don't have a relationship.'
'Exactly.'
*
In the car he said, 'Anyway, it wouldn't work. I mean, I'm the store manager...'
'And I'm just a checkout girl? Is that what you mean?'
'Well, it's a thought, isn't it? It could lead to all kinds of-'
'Don't forget,' she cut in, 'I have a university degree.'
'Oh, big deal . . . And what's this great university degree in, then?'
'Why? Does it matter? A degree is a bloody degree, isn't it?'
He didn't reply to that. He began to whistle.
'Anyway,' she went on, 'You're married, aren't you?"
*
A week later they were on Hetton Hill again. 'You still haven't told me what your degree is in,' he said, pulling her to him.
'Promise that you won't laugh,' she said.
