Fast Fiction: Scarf
Sometimes a scarf is most inappropriate, as Richard Mallinson’s story reveals.
For more of Richard’s fast fiction please click on http://www.openwriting.com/archives/fast_fiction/
'Who's that talking? There's somebody out there talking, in the street. I can hear the voice.'
Rowe didn't expect an answer because, as usual, he was alone in his house.
'I may as well go out and take a look,' he said, twisting his scarf round his neck.
The woman doing the talking was an elderly neighbour.
She said, 'Good morning, Mr Rowe' and went on talking.
'Good morning, Mrs Slate,' said Rowe, peering over the hedge. 'Are you talking to somebody?'
'Well, I was talking to Miss Hutt but she's just this moment gone.'
'Miss Hutt?' said Rowe.
'Yes, you know, she used to work at the cinema in the old days. An usherette, wasn't she? Long legs. Very smart, too, in her get-up. And with her torch and tray. Some of you men were tempted, I'll be sure.'
'Tempted, Mrs Slate? Oh, well, I suppose so but I've forgotten all that sort of thing.’
Of course he'd been tempted. In fact he'd once taken June Hutt out in his car on her night off.
'Do you wear that flaming scarf in bed?' she’d asked.
