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'X' is for 'Ex'

27/4/2013

8 Comments

 
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April is month of blogging A-Z for 26 days. #AprilBlogChallenge Check it out! 

** X is for err... EX (slight cheat...)! **


This is a short story I write inspired by a prompt: Receiving a call from someone from your life ten years ago. 

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An Unexpected Caller

I recognise the number blinking up at me from my mobile phone’s screen. It’s a number ingrained on my memory since 2003. Surely it can’t be him?

“Hello…?”

“Louise? It’s Craig. Craig Mitchell - from Cheltenham.” As if I needed reminding where I knew him from. It was one of those moments when it feels like no thoughts pass through your mind , yet there are a million fighting to be heard. Maybe that’s what a feeling of shock feels like, I pondered briefly.

“Craig from Cheltenham?” I replied, slightly tongue-in-cheek. “Hi, how are you?” All natural like. I mean, why would it be weird for my childhood sweetheart to call me after a 10 year break? I wondered how he had my number still after a decade, but if I can remember his digits, maybe he could remember mine… Interesting.

“Good, good, I’m good… erm… I’m getting married.”

Now I’m confused. Surely he’s not after my permission? God, I hope he’s not getting cold feet in a fit of nostalgia. Well, a tiny part of me hopes that – it would be a compliment if he was!

“Ah! Congratulations, what’s her name?” What else could I say? I hadn’t a clue he was seeing anyone, let alone who she was. ‘I should be asking why he’s calling...’

Craig reveals the woman he’s marrying is named Jenny and pours out a whole profile about her; how she’s a nurse, how she loves to travel – “like you,” he added – how it’s going to be a small event… That’s one motive for the sudden call I  can discount – I won’t be getting a wedding invite.

He eventually tails off. Craig always did that when he was nervous, almost running out of anxious steam to power his outburst. There was a long pause. I remember his hazel eyes. His fine hair and the juxtaposition of his coarse late-teenage beard. I remember the first piece of jewellery a man ever gave me. I remember the Yorkshire Dales.

“Well, congratulations, I’m pleased for you.” I wince at the repetition of good wishes. Is it a little transparent? I’m suddenly eager to get off the phone. “Nice to hear from you, best of luck for – “

“No, don’t go!” he interrupted. “Wait – Jenny… She wants to meet all my ex girlfriends before we tie the knot.”

Bugger. 

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Tomorrow's a day off the challenge - day of rest - and then there's just two more days to go on the April A-Z blog Challenge! 

Lou x

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Image courtesy of Sarah's Scribbles

8 Comments
LynneInPborough link
27/4/2013 07:46:50 am

Great story, very well told. It would freak me out if I got a call like that and I'd refuse unless we were still mates. Good prompt though. And who would want to meet all their fiance's ex's? Hmm I think Jenny will have an interesting backstory.

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Louise link
28/4/2013 03:55:54 am

Haha yes, Lynne, I think I'd freak out too! Thanks for stopping by. x

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Tony Noland link
27/4/2013 11:14:18 am

What the hell? Marrying someone isn't like hiring a plumber. Besides, it's a bit late for her to be checking his romantic resume, isn't it?

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Louise link
28/4/2013 03:56:53 am

Haha nicely put, Tony! I guess it's a bit late to be investigating his past... Maybe they've not been together very long? Thanks for your comments - see you for 'Y'! x

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Dee link
27/4/2013 10:57:58 pm

Haha I loved this! The ending was cute and unexpected.

Reply
Louise link
28/4/2013 03:57:30 am

Thanks for your comment, Dee!

www.borntobeatourist.co.uk
@misswriteuk
wwwfacebook.com/louise.gibney.writer

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SueH link
28/4/2013 10:40:23 am

Ha - love that ending! ;-p

She's well shot of him if he's so under the thumb that his soon-to-be-bride wants to inspect his former conquests - and he's agreed to it!!!

Great little story - found so many little gems on this A-Z blog-hop!

Cheers!

SueH <a href= http://irefusetogoquietly.blogspot.com/>I refuse to go quietly!</a>

Twitter - @Librarymaid

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Louise link
28/4/2013 11:23:18 am

Thanks for your lovely comments Sue! x

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    I'm a writer based in South Wales, with an unhealthy obsession with stationery and baking. I mainly blog for my own sanity, but I'm also working on a novel. Still. 

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