I entered this piece for February’s Right Left Write short story competition run by Queensland Writers Centre. It’s been a few weeks now since the deadline so I think I’m OK to publish it here as well. The prompt was ‘Beginnings’.
“This is ridiculous. What possible use is three for two on Valentine’s Day cards? Who needs three cards.” The woman stood next to Luke looked annoyed. She had a point though. Had one of the newsagent staff put this offer up as a joke, or was it merely ill-conceived marketing tripe? She continued to fume.
“It’s bad enough having to buy one card, never mind three. Valentine’s Day is corporate bullshit.”
“I quite like Valentine’s Day. It’s nice,” said Luke. Her head snapped round and she glared at him. She appeared to be shocked that he was there at all. Had she forgotten she was in a public space and anyone could hear her anti-romance diatribe? She grunted a reply at him.
“Well, the three for two is still ridiculous. No-one could make use of it. It’s a farce.”
“We could make use of it.” Her irritated glare morphed into puzzlement. Luke explained. “Pick your card, I’ll pick mine then grab a spare. I’ll pay for all three and you can buy me my magazine. Then we are all square and we are up a card.”
“Ha. That doesn’t work out. You don’t need to be an accountant to know that transaction doesn’t balance. And I’m an accountant.”
“Still,” said Luke.
“Still,” she agreed. “It does mean we’ve done the three for two, and beaten them at their own game. OK give me your magazine.”
Potential purchases exchanged, the two of them fulfilled the necessary transactions and reconvened by the valentine’s card display.
“OK, there’s your card and this one’s mine,” said Luke.
“And here is your magazine.” Her irritation had faded and she looked slightly amused.“There’s still the spare card. Who gets that?”
“I’ve an idea.” Luke grabbed a pen from a nearby display and wrote in the card:
To the sharp dressed women in the newsagents with an eye for a bargain. From a mystery admirer (called Luke).
He popped the card in its pink envelope and handed it to her.
“Done. Valentine’s card shared.”
The emotions on her face were complex. Confusion alternated with wariness which interspersed with flickers of satisfaction. Her face settled into relaxed amusement. She opened the card and read it. Eyes softening, she smiled.
“Funny. Very good. And you’re right – I do like a bargain. OK, I’ve got to go, otherwise I’ll be late for work.”
“See you. Have a good day,” said Luke as she strode out of the newsagents, both valentine’s cards in her hand.
Luke watched as she walked across street. He liked her, and he didn’t quite know why. Just before she disappeared from view, she turned back and gave him a cheery wave. And then she was gone. Luke looked at his valentine’s card. He wasn’t sure what to do with it. He had no-one to give it to. Perhaps he would hang on to it for next year. He might have better luck then.
Photo by Laura Ockel on Unsplash
