Page 26, Line 26 by Sue Heggie
Inspired by Page 26, line 26 from The Bone People by Keri Hulme.
Just Desserts
Now, she sets a knife and fork and plate of steaming mash at either end of the bench, and two mugs of coffee like a line of truce in the middle.
By accepting the cup Len eases the tension of the last twenty-four hours. Mostly, he’s a congenial chap but a Taurean, once pushed too far, is not to be trifled with.
She too generally likes to please because simply she loves him; the whiff of dirt on his work shirt, the sound of his boots on the entrance tiles. His specs perched right on the end of his nose endears.
However, there are lines to be drawn and this is one of them.
Last evening their customary “goodnight darling” kiss was a perfunctory peck.
She leans back and takes pleasure in her grandchildren’s handiwork on the fridge. Beside the “This home is clean enough to be healthy but dirty enough to be happy” magnet, is their photo calendar. Zoe and Zac were carefully, turnabout, crossing off the days until Christmas. Just three more! Goodness! But she keeps things simple and enjoys the annual menu challenge.
The sun eases its way through the window they put in twenty-five years ago creating a perfect slice of warmth merging with the lingering earthy smell of the breakfast mash.
Len queries, “How come it’s mash today dear, isn’t it Scramble Thursday?”
“It is dear, but when I went out to the girls earlier, they’d gone off the lay. Not an egg to be found.”
Len starts, and meets her gaze, noting the merest hint of cockiness in her voice. He sighs, knowing sure as eggs now that it’s trifle this year and no pav.
Leaning forward, he kisses her tenderly on the lips.
She loves sitting side by side in their matching Lazy Boys, he reading out clues from the cryptic for her assistance.
Goodness! Still, she is pretty much sorted.
Sue Heggie