Writers Abroad Magazine Issue 2 March 2015 | Page 29

WRITERS ABROAD MAGAZINE

A New Beginning
A Shorty Story by Nina Croft
Jessica didn’t sleep that night. Instead, she lay alone in her bed, waiting for the dawn
to break, wondering whether Mark would phone. She was pretty sure he would. After
all, in the 12 years since he had left her, he hadn’t missed a single anniversary.
Quite impressive when you considered that during their marriage he had managed to
forget every single one of them. But that was Mark for you.
And it wasn’t as though it was a difficult date to memorise. They’d married on
Valentine’s Day — she’d thought it so romantic at the time. Unfortunately, it hadn’t
helped him to remember.
The sun slowly crept into the room as she stared at the phone, willing it to ring,
wondering why it didn’t. It was definitely working; she’d had the engineer out the
previous day just to make sure. Even so, she couldn’t resist picking up the receiver
and checking the dial tone. It purred gently in her ear and she put it down quickly,
forcing herself to sit back, to relax her rigid muscles.
The phone rang. The temperature dropped and Jessica shivered. She reached out,
her hand visibly shaking, and picked up the receiver.
"Mum?"
Jessica let out the breath she hadn’t even realised she was holding. "Sarah," she
said, "why are you phoning so early?"
"It’s Valentine’s Day and your wedding anniversary. Twenty-five years."
"I know," Jessica said dryly.
"I thought you might need cheering up."
Jessica was silent for a moment.
"Mum?"
"I’m sorry, darling. I was just thinking what wonderful children I have."
"Well, how would you like to spend the day with one of your wonderful children?"
Should she? Just get up and go out before the phone could ring again.
"No thanks," she replied eventually. "I have plans.” Actually, it was true. She’d
arranged to meet Dave later. Dave wanted them to move to Spain together. A new
beginning. So far, she hadn’t given him an answer. “Honestly, darling, I’m fine."
After they talked for a while, Jessica put the phone down and waited. It rang again
a few minutes later. She snatched it up.
"Jess?"
Jessica closed her eyes, savouring the sound of his voice. It hadn’t changed over
the years.
"Jessica?" His voice held a hint of urgency now.
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