Unexpected Visitors
Jan Napier

When you say look me up, you don’t really expect… Just because they buddied us up on that walking tour…What’s his name again?  Ross, Bob?  Gary! Twenty minutes Tia said. Damn. The Eagles are playing today too. Slam ironing in cupboard, zoom carpet sweeper through dining room. Get out good china, quick cloth on table, roses, oops, aphids off, into cut glass. Bustle of kettle, plate, cup, the sunflower serviettes. Just enough. Bash lumps from sugar. Milk stinks. Long Life then. Clean jeans. Tuck in tum, top snap’s tough to do up. Drag a comb. Lipstick. That’s them! Darlings. Coffee, tea? She only drinks Moccona. He doesn’t like English Breakfast. I was saving that Earl Grey. A few photos to show you. Do you recalls and shortbread circling.  It was only a two day trip. Footy fans? Ah Majong. Second hand snailing. Her silly limerick again. Manage a grin. Better not tell them the Nantucket one. Orange cake’s almost gone already. He’s sucking up food like a human Hoover. Keeping Tim Tams a secret. Trying not to sigh. Smile and nod. Top ups?  Of course. Pouring. Watching my washing get wet. Carside goodbyes. Oh, so soon.  A shame.  No trouble at all. Lovely to see you. Stop gabbing and go. Please. Three minutes to kick off. Dump crumbs and tea leaves in hot suds. Team beanie. Uggs. Top button undone. Sports channel, one goal ahead. Ads. Did she say her painters were coming Thursday? Let me check my diary…

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Jan Napier is a Western Australian writer. Her work has been  showcased in journals and anthologies both within Australia and overseas. Jan usually writes poetry, with the occasional foray into prose. 

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