Fast Fiction: Talk And Talk
So is this Mr Link a truly helpful man?
Richard Mallinson's story allows you to draw your own conclusions.
To read more of Richard's intriguing and entertaining short stories please click on http://www.openwriting.com/archives/fast_fiction/
'Hullo, is that you, Mr Link?'
'Yes, I am here. Who is speaking?'
'Oh, it's Arlene . . . Arlene Cole ... Do you remember me? We met in town a year ago. You gave me your card. You said to ring you if ever I needed to talk. So that's what I'm -'
'To talk? What do you mean, if you ever needed to talk? Are you sure I gave you my card? What did you say your name was?'
'Arlene, Arlene Cole.'
'Arlene, did you say?'
'Yes, you were very kind to me. We sat on a bench outside the church. I was depressed, wasn't I, and started to cry ... You were very supportive . . . You must remember, surely?'
'Yes, yes, now I do ... So what is it you want, er, Arlene?'
'Just to talk, that's all. May I come to see you - at the address on the card?'
'No, no, please don't do that . . . I'll tell you what, we'll meet outside the church again - tomorrow morning, ten o'clock. Will that suit you?'
'Oh, yes, thank you, Mr Link. I'll see you then. Bye.'
*
'Oh, Mr Link ... I knew you'd turn up. I just knew.'
'I'm sorry if I sounded wary on the phone ... I get so many calls from young women, you see -'
'Oh, never mind that, Mr Link. The main thing is that you're here . . . And now we can sit down and talk and talk, can't we?'
Link decided to smile. 'Of course we can, my dear,' he said.
