I hope you are all well. More to the point I hope you are still here and haven't gone off with some other floozy of a blog. They're not as good as this one. Really they're not. Can any of the others say it was lovingly created form these very fingers. Scrutinised in order to bring you this level of perfection. Don't just throw this stuff together in about fiver minutes you know. Oh no. Not at all. No.
Now, my dear reader, as the saying goes, all good things must come to an end. Not this blog I hasten to add. Hell no, you're not getting rid of me that easily no matter how much you want to. Don't think I didn't see through that name change or change of address.
No, I'm talking about what you are about to read next. The final episode of the flash fiction series 'Like Ships That Pass In The Night'. Yes, it really is here. It's the end.
But why, I hear you cry.
Well reader, it's time had come. And to be fair there was only so long this type of work can go on before you'll be screaming 'enough! Just get them together or have him die under a train for God's sake'. (Hollywood, please take note).
So here it is. I had the ending in my head for quite some time and this seemed to be the best point to end it. In fact I knew I didn't want to drag it too long right from the start when I decided to turn it into a series. Leave them wanting more as they say. So I hope I leave Anthony and Charlotte with an ending but also with you wanting more. If that makes sense. Which it probably doesn't. So, now you get to read it.
Enjoy. And let me know what you think of it.
Ta ta for now.
----
Like Ships That Pass In The Night.
Part 7
“Moments”
Anthony stands alone in the centre of the station concourse. He has a good half hour before the train he needs to catch arrives at the station. The morning is a bright sunny one now that spring is in full bloom. He has put away his long heavy winter coat and is now wearing a dark blue jacket. People pass him by, either not noticing the lone man standing there or, at the most acknowledging him with a brief nod before they continue on their way.
***
Charlotte crosses the road. The sun warms her face as she steps from the shade into the light and she can feel the temperature difference immediately. Passing a few shop keepers opening for the day she greets them with a quiet, but cheerful ‘Good Morning’ as she makes her along the street. An elderly man, bringing out flowers to display outside the front of his florist shop offers her a rose. Cheerfully he places it carefully in a button hole on her light brown coat as she smiles and thanks him. She turns a corner and looks down the slight slope the few hundred yards towards the station in the distance.
***
Anthony watches the displays of arrivals and departures as the place names slowly change with each train that comes and goes from the station. He briefly begins to wonder if this is mistake. If he is wrong is to do what he wants to do. He wonders if he should walk away and forget everything that has happened but then he thinks about Charlotte and he knows he wants to stay
***
Charlotte walks down the road, the entrance to the station getting ever closer. She feels herself becoming nervous, her heart beating that little bit faster. Pausing momentarily and looking towards the clear blue sky she considers turning around, heading back home and phoning in sick. No she decides. Putting one foot in front of the other, she continues on her way.
***
Anthony eye’s are now on the entrance to the station. In ten minutes his train will arrive and his chance will have gone. He looks down at his shoes before returning his gaze towards the archway. Then she appears and he watches as she goes to the ticket machine. His heart is in his mouth as she collects her tickets. She looks around but sees no one at first. Until…
***
For both of them it’s almost as if time then stands still. Anthony can feel his heart beating hard: Charlotte can hear hers. Slowly they make their way towards each other. They stand silently, neither knowing what to say but neither wanting to spoil the moment. He holds out his hand. She sees he is holding out a cup
“I thought you would like a coffee. It’s a skinny latte,” He says quietly
“Thank you. Very thoughtful” she replies.
She smiles the shy smile that he saw the first time. The smile he will see every day from that moment on.
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