Page 49 - The Letter By Ann Newhouse

That evening was very quiet. I found myself drifting off into thoughts of my old life. Why was this Rex situation affecting me so much? I found myself questioning every aspect of the ten years Tony and I were together. Did he love me? Why could he not commit to me?
‘A penny for them’, Penny asked giving me a nudge.
‘Oh, sorry Penny I’ve being miles away’.
‘What do you think of Rex and Jenny dating,’ I asked not really knowing if I wanted to hear what Penny had to say.
‘Ah! Young Jenny Brown is a nice girl. I do believe she is very fond of Rex, and he of her. I caught them in a clinch the other night’ she giggled a little, ‘I think Rex was embarrassed but Jenny was quite comfortable with it’.
I felt my heart sink at this information.
‘A half pint for the road Missy’, a voice requested bringing me out of my daze, ‘how’s that cottage of yours? No drafts or leaks I hope?’
‘No, no your son did an amazing job Mr. Hut’ I smiled.
‘I taught him all he knows you know’, he said beaming proudly as he carried away his glass joining his friends. I smiled back and threw myself into my work to stop my mind wandering again.
Just before we called last orders I realized Rex had not returned from his date. Then as if Penny was reading my mind she turned to me, ‘Amber did you see Rex come home?’
‘No’, I mumbled trying to appear disinterested.
I hope they don’t miss the last bus; a taxi would be very expensive’ Penny stressed. We drank our hot chocolate in silence. I decided to bid Penny goodnight and leave her to wait for Rex, after all he grown lad now and I wouldn’t imagine he’d be too