Page 18 - Ext. Listening Reading_Neat

"Go for it," says Best Friend. "Life is for having left home, work needn't be about
living." money so much now.
"Why not?" says Husband. "A change of
career might be just what you need." The work's okay but that's not the whole
"How dare you?" says Eric Knight. "I had story. The real magic comes at closing
my eye on that shop for a friend." time. That's when I look up and meet the
"That's really cool," says Son. "Vinyl is in eyes of Mr Good-enough across the record
for a revival." counter. Still bald, still liable to fall asleep
I kept the corny name, despite Daughter's in front of the television, still too boring to
protests. Business isn't great, despite go bungee jumping, but, after all these
Son's optimism. Nevertheless, I'm happy years, the man for me. He leans across
running The Slipped Disc; how could I not the ranks of vinyl and kisses me. Then I
be when I can play my favourite music all get my coat, lock up the shop, and let
day long? As Best Friend says, when she Husband drive me off into the sunset.
pops in some mornings for coffee, with
Husband's promotion and the children
Adapted from: https://short-story.me/romance-stories
Glossary

Word Definition
flustered upset and confused
sightings when you see something or someone, especially that is rare or trying to hide
loitering to go slowly, stopping often
traffic warden someone whose job is to make certain that people do not leave their cars in
illegal places
merits the quality of being good and deserving praise
podgy slightly fat
serendipity the lucky tendency to find interesting or valuable things by chance

STORY 3: A MANGO FOR A BRIDE “Ah, the joys of motherhood.” I really
© Nancy Shehata wasn’t complaining, for my son was the
greatest joy in my life. The second greatest
My father’s house was in a greater state of joy would be seeing my little brother
uproar than usual, and since there were Bashir get married. He was the youngest
six of us children – well, we’re all grown of our family, the only boy, so finding a
now, but when we’re home, we’re no suitable woman for him to marry would be
longer truly adults – six of us and our a momentous task. He didn’t have a
families spending a great amount of time particular girl in mind. He realized he was
in the house, the level of noise and chaos now the only sibling without a child. He
was pretty amazing My infant son, Adam was no longer content to be merely an
was the youngest of the horde, and with uncle; he wanted to be a daddy.
him in my arms I sat in the kitchen,
watching Mama and my oldest sister “Well, daddies have to be husbands first”,
Manal coring tiny eggplants to be stuffed my mother told him when he broached the
and trying to keep the older kids from subject. “It will take some time to find the
dipping into the pots and bowls. right match for you. She has to be pious,
smart, and well, just right. I’ll know here
“Don’t eat that, you’ll spoil your appetite when I see her.” With this
and there won’t be enough for everyone pronouncement, the search was
later.” My nephew Ali only grinned, and on. Initially, my mother closeted herself
since I couldn’t chase him with the baby with my father, who spent hours on the
in my arms, I just sighed as he made off prayer rug making supplication to Allah to
with a dripping piece of cactus fruit. I was help him find a bride for his beloved
a soft touch anyway, unable to put any son. Then she burned up the phone lines
authority into my voice. My son distracted calling his and her brothers and sisters,
me at that moment by spitting up on the distant cousins and old friends. Girls
front of my dress, so I put aside thoughts were suggested and introductions made.
of food and reached for a towel.

14| Extensive Listening & Reading