Writers Abroad Magazine Issue 2 March 2015 | Page 4

WRITERS ABROAD MAGAZINE

Lady in Red
Flash Fiction by Susan Carey

The bloodshot sun dipped below the sea’s horizon. Milly sighed deeply, looking out
over the opalescent sea. Tom took her hand and kissed it. He smiled and said,
“There’s something I left in the hotel room, darling. Won’t be a minute.”
Milly replied, “Okay, but don’t be too long.” He stood up and scraped the wooden
chair over the marble floor. Milly watched Tom’s figure recede along the promenade
towards the hotel.
The sun disappeared and the bracelet of harbour lights flickered on. The waiter’s
son came round, lighting candles on the tables. There was a chill in the air and Milly
pulled her Pashmina tighter around her. The hard rush seat had made imprints on her
thighs and she shifted on the chair, trying to get comfortable. She just wanted to go
back to the hotel room now, lie down and feel the heat of Tom’s skin against hers.
Glancing down at her watch she realised Tom had left their table over half an hour
ago. Where had he got to? A feminine footfall came down the steps from the
promenade to the restaurant. A statuesque blonde walked onto the patio, her high
heels clicking over the floor. She was wearing a red silky dress that was ruched at the
sides, emphasising her curves. She tossed a lock of leonine hair over one shoulder
and walked towards Milly’s table.
“Darling, I’m so sorry but this is the only way I could think of to tell you.” The air left
Milly’s lungs and her throat slammed shut as she recognised Tom’s voice. He sat down
opposite her. He took her hand and a hint of Shalini perfume enveloped them. “I hope
this won’t change things between us.” His cherry lips mouthed the words.
She stared into his dark eyes. Absurdly, she found herself admiring his smoky
make-up, so artistically blended, his eyes smouldering in a way that she’d never quite
managed to achieve. WA

4|March 2015