Who likes Short Shorts

  ***

  ‘Morning, love, alright?’ Mary asks as I come back in from the shed.

  ‘Good, ta, love; you?’ I reply. I’ve been out checking my uniform and badge are still where I left them. I keep that to myself. She doesn’t know, doesn’t need to.

  ‘Yeah, I’m fine. Have you remembered I’m off to the library, then meeting Karen for coffee? I’ll see you after lunch. Remember Mike is coming at one,’ Mary reminds me.

  ‘I have. Have fun, I’m going to clear the shed out,’ I say, kissing her on the cheek.

  ‘OK, ta-ta, love you,’ Mary says, taking her coat off the peg.

  ‘Love you, too,’ I say, watching her leave.

  As soon as she gets in the street I think I see her on her mobile. Who would she be calling?

  Stop worrying, Fred, she is not clever enough to have worked anything out. No one is clever like you, God tells me. Plenty of time.

  Ten minutes later, having allowed time for her to return if she's forgotten something, I head to the shed to put on my uniform for the last time.