writings of a writing man
Five Minutes -- A monologue."Could you tell me the time, dear? I can't see too well. "Oh, four o'clock? Well, I don't suppose I'll have to wait much longer. My boy's coming to fetch me. He won't be long. Always fetches me home when I come. Says I can't be trusted on the 'bus. Oh, he makes me laugh. I was catching buses before he was born. Well, I would have been wouldn't I? But he's right, I suppose. I can't see too well now, and the doctors say I need an operation but the waiting list... "What's that, dear? Oh, no, I can manage fine, thank you. Cleaning and cooking for myself just I've always done. It's just the newspaper, really. I miss the newspaper. But I mustn't grumble. Still clean and cook. Not that there's much pleasure cooking for yourself, is there? "That's why I asks my boy to stay on for tea when he comes, you see. Then I can cook for two and that makes a lovely change. Nice piece of haddock I've got today. 'You'll make me fat, Mum,' that's what my boy says. Oh he makes me laugh! Fat? There's not a spare ounce on him. Skinny little bleeder he's always been. Strong, mind you, like a whippet. No flies on him, I can tell you. Oh no... "Could you tell me the time, dear? I can't see too well. "Oh, two minutes past four? Well, the time always drags in these places, doesn't it, dear. Not to worry, I expect my boy'll be here in a jiffy. Always picks me up he does. A blessing to have a boy like that. "Mind you, he's not always been as good as he might. Oh no. Time was he was a right little tearaway and you'd not see him from one month to the next. Always turned up, though, bright as a sparrow, box of chocs and a bunch of lovely flowers and that cheeky smile of his. 'Bet you've been wondering where I was, Mum,' he'd say. Never really did tell me though. "Not that I worried about him really. Always could look after himself. And now he comes along regular as anything, got a good steady job and might even get married before long. Not before time, mind you. It's a wonder ... "Could you tell me the time, dear? I can't see too well. "Oh, five past four? Oh well, I expect he'll be here soon. Never lets his Mum down, not my boy. Oh no, never lets his Mum down.
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