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Shorts
First Love
By Lizzy
30 March 2007
Lost love and regrets!

First Love

 

Where is she? She promised she’d be here at two o’clock and it’s now quarter past! I’ll give her another five minutes and then I’m going. Time hasn’t made her any more punctual than she used to be!


"Tony! I’d have recognised you anywhere. You’ve hardly changed. I’m sorry I’m late, traffic was awful. Do forgive me."


What has happened to that slim, handsome man I thought seriously about marrying? I can’t believe it’s really him. Good job we agreed to meet here and there’s no one else waiting. I’d swear that’s the same jacket he was wearing last time we met. Can’t be. It wouldn’t fit any more!


"No need to apologise, I’ve only just got here myself. I know what you mean about the traffic. I only drive when I really have to. But you look wonderful. The years have certainly been kind to you."


She must have had implants and reductions. That mousy, plain character I knew ten years ago would never develop naturally into this. She is absolutely gorgeous!


"Come on I’ve booked a table at a restaurant. We can catch up over lunch. I really can’t get over how good you look."


Which is more than I can say for him! That spare tyre around the middle does him no favours and what has happened to that lovely thick hair he had? A comb over does nothing for him. Why can’t men accept that it’s a fact of life that some of them go quite bald and accept it? Jake hasn’t got a blade of hair on his head and he’s quite fanciable!

Did we girls think he was really quite a catch back then?


"Here’s the restaurant. Hope you like Italian."

"Can I help you sir?"

"I booked a table for two. The name’s Phillips."

"This way please."

"Do you mind if I just go and tidy up? I’m sure I must look a fright. You order for me, something simple. Nothing too fattening."

"You look great just as you are."

He watched as she went to the ladies.


I cannot believe this is the same woman. I remember that last meal we had together. That farewell meal where we promised we’d keep in touch. She wore some sort of sack like thing, which did nothing at all for her. She also had one of those dreadful perms. She almost licked her plate clean and then demolished what I’d left. I suppose that’s why she had to wear the sack. I noticed other people looking and felt quite embarrassed. That really was the last straw.


"Tony?"

"Oh sorry I was miles away. I’ve not ordered yet it’s quite busy. It’ll give us chance to catch up. I’m so pleased Greg gave me your email address. I wasn’t sure you’d agree to come after our last meeting."


I’m beginning to wish I hadn’t. I cried the whole of that last night and vowed I’d never love anyone as much as I did him. He did me a favour though. Made me take stock. Once I’d pulled myself together I managed to get that great job with Weinbergers. Never looked back, till I got that email. It got me thinking about what might have been. Wandered if any of the old magic was still there.


"….and that’s how I happen to be living back here. What do you think of that Vee?"

"Er! Great. Please don’t call me Vee. All my friends call me Ria."

"OK. Ria! That really suits you."


She was always a bit like that. Ideas above herself. Thought she was better than others. That’s one of the reasons I ended it. I wonder was I too hasty? Too late now I suppose. She’s not wearing a wedding ring though. I could turn on the old charm and see where it gets me.

"Would you like white or red?"

"No wine for me. Just water will do and I’ll have the poached fish with salad please."


He’s a bit of a slob. Obviously none of his ‘great’ plans took him anywhere. Just imagine if he’d come back when I’d begged him I’d be living in a little semi with three children and a boring husband now.


"So what is your job Ria?"
"I work in IT. Advising large companies in the EU on which systems are the best to use."

Her phone began to beep.

"Do excuse me."


Good job I asked Jake to text me just in case I needed an escape route. I don’t want to spend much more time with him even for old time’s sake.


"Tony, I’m so sorry. I’ve got to get back to the office. Something urgent has come up. We must try and meet up again."


I think the old spark’s working I can see that look in her eye. We can start again and see where it leads.

"I understand Ria. We’ll make it next week sometime shall we? I’ll call you."

"Bye Tony. Nice to have met up again."


Thank goodness I didn’t give him my phone number or my private email address. I’ll get Jake to deal with any that come to the office.


That went well. I think she still likes me. I could see the regret there when we talked about old times, and when she said she had to go. She sounded really enthusiastic about meeting again. I won’t let her think I’m too eager. I’ll leave it a couple of weeks before I get in touch.



Reviews
Hi Lizzy
Written by jean.day (2283 comments posted) 30th March 2007
This is great fun to read. Poor Tony - so hopeful - he is heading for a big disappointment. 
 
I'm sure most first love situations would be fairly similar.

Written by anorwegianwood (278 comments posted) 30th March 2007
I liked this too. I wouldn't want to read something much longer in this format, but for a short piece like this, it's very effective and fun. 
 
~Claire

Written by Livinginanattic (456 comments posted) 30th March 2007
Enjoyed this, clever piece. It's the subtext that makes this, if you read the conversation on its own it really is quite mundane so it's not surprising she wanted to get away.

Written by stevetroster (1549 comments posted) 30th March 2007
I agree with Jean and Mr. Attic, good fun, and a piece that was definately made by the subtext. You always remember your first love favourably, and although I would never change what I have now, I can't help but wonder how things might have been with No1. God she was hot! A dead ringer for Jane Seymour, sorry must go now, I have to check out the friends reunited site. 
 
(SP)Wandered if any of the old magic was still there

Written by Phil (6730 comments posted) 30th March 2007
With Claire on this, just the right length. Any more would have tipped the balance. I did enjoy this, but felt that at least one of the characters could have had a little more depth. 
 
Phil

Written by woody44 (775 comments posted) 31st March 2007
Good morning Lizzie. I enjoyed the interplay between the two characters, and thought the length just right. We males! always think we`re in with a shout when in reality...A nice read. 
 
 
happy writing 
Woody  
 
.

Written by Lizzy (800 comments posted) 31st March 2007
Thanks everyone for the reviews and suggestions. 
I see what you mean Phil the characters are a bit two dimensional and a bit more meat on one would have helped. 
 
Smaked rist for the SP. 
Wood you beleeve I once prided myself on being abel to spell almost enythink. 
Thanks Steve for pointing it out. 
Lizzy

Written by Witzl (1585 comments posted) 31st March 2007
I liked this very much too, but like Phil, would have appreciated knowing more about the characters -- something quirky one of them used to do, perhaps. I liked the reference to the woman's appetite; the fact that she'd licked her plate clean and managed to put this fellow off, and after reading that, wanted more of the same.  
 
It is fun to watch strangers in restaurants and try and read their subtexts. Since we've got adolescents, our family's subtexts are right out there for the world to see (and hear) whenever we go out.

Written by Snodlander (501 comments posted) 31st March 2007
I got a little lost a couple of times with who was saying what. Otherwise I'm with the rest

Written by Gill21 (566 comments posted) 2nd April 2007
It's all been said really. I enjoyed it :-)

Written by TwistedTales (548 comments posted) 5th April 2007
Ditto. Clever piece. Did not once felt lost though?..Clever dialogues, very much close to reality...good piece for bloated egos i guess...:)

Written by Bondvillain2k (15 comments posted) 6th April 2007
I liked this. I'd really like to see some of the subtext incorporated into the dialogue, maybe hinted at with gestures by the characters, their tones of voice etc. That might help flesh them out a little.  
 
'Licked her plate clean' - that must be what some people think of me!

Written by meic (5 comments posted) 8th April 2007
Clever and well-constructed throughout. I don't think overt 'fleshing out' is required - there are enough hints within the body of the piece for readers to do this for themselves. 
 
Poor Tony - a sort of ugly duckling in reverse! 
 
Thanks for the entertaining read. 
 
Mike

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