‘Boy, how the tables have turned,’ Bas said, and took a long draught from his dark ale.
Martijn stubbed out his cigarette in an already overflowing ashtray on the worn oak table between them.
Bas put his glass down with a clunk. ‘It’s almost funny.’
‘It’s certainly not funny,’ Martijn said, raising his voice a little above normal.
‘I said almost.’
‘Whatever.’
‘In the beginning she couldn’t get enough of you, sent you ten messages a day and you had to rein her in, afraid your wife would find out.’
Martijn lit another cigarette.
‘Now, six months later you’re crying into your beer because she won’t see you anymore.’
‘I love her.’
‘Pff! Love! You don’t love her. You’re obsessed with her. With her youth, her beauty, her charisma. All the things you don’t have any more with your wife of fifteen years. You’re infatuated. You can’t maintain that level of involvement.’
Martijn blew out smoke through his nose. ‘It was never like this with Marie.’
‘Of course not. At least, that’s what you tell yourself. But that could be a lie. You want to justify this somehow, but you can’t.’
‘You don’t know anything.’
I know she’ll never come back to you and even if she does, she won’t stay with you.’
‘Thanks for pointing that out again.’
‘I did say it from the beginning. No young, attractive, intelligent woman in her early twenties stays with a guy over forty for very long. Unless he’s filthy rich, and you’re not.’
‘What am I going to do?’ Martijn put his head in his hands. ‘I’ve lost everything now. Marie has kicked me out, won’t let me see the kids-’
‘Well, she can’t do that. You’ll have to get a lawyer.’
‘I know, I know. How did this happen?’
‘You couldn’t keep your dick in your trousers.’
©2014 Laura Besley
Flash Fiction Diary
Snippets is now available!
Amazon UK/Amazon US
Many thanks to those of you who have already downloaded and read my collection of flash fiction. Also my thanks go out to those of you who have helped me to promote it by posting on facebook, twitter, sending emails or word of mouth. It's all much appreciated!
I've had two 5star reviews, which have obviously made me extremely happy.
"This is a wonderful collection of flash fiction and short prose. What I liked most was the variance of the storylines and their tone because I think they really complimented each other well. Some were humourous, others romantic, some dark and some topical (and relevant)." Michael Diack
"If you like flash fiction, you're going to love Laura Besley's collection of stories in Snippets. If you don't like flash fiction or if you haven't tried it before, read Laura's book. She just may convert you." - Clint Morey
Laura I'm reading this late on Saturday afternoon, having switched on specially to read your latest Flash Fiction. I'm astonished to see that no-one has left a comment, and can only surmise that the ending was too much of a surprise for your avid followers. It surprised me too, but I laughed because it was quite unexpected! Another clever little flash (fiction, I mean).
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