Southend U3A

Writing for Fun

March 2020

Another Cream Cake [Surprise] - Lynn Gale

'Makes you look ten years younger,' Faye, the hairstylist at ‘Shaper’s hair and beauty salon,’ enthused, spraying a copious amount of hairspray on her creation.

So much for the ozone layer, Bea thought as she swallowed a mouthful of the toxic mixture.

Faye held up the back mirror to let Bea see her new, cut into the neck look, 'Looks fantastic,' she said as she gave it another blast of spray for good measure.

'Great,' Bea murmured, knowing full well she would never manage this style herself.

'I could give you a skin peel and eyebrow wax,' Faye suggested as she brushed the hair from Bea’s neck. 'Half price for new customers, make you look like you're in your thirties again.'

'I am in my thirties,' Bea bristled.

'Oh well, if you change your mind,' Faye escorted Bea over to the reception desk, 'Katrice will take your money,' before sashaying over to her next customer.

'That will be sixty-seven pounds 75p,' the heavily made-up Katrice smiled, then noticing Bea’s open mouth, 'You did have our top stylist and a head massage,' she said defensively. Bea counted out the seventy pounds she had brought with her onto the counter.

'Hope they didn’t expect a tip,' Bea picked up the change, ignoring the disdainful look Katrice gave her before heading onto the high street. 'I should have brought a credit card with me.'

As Bea passed her favourite bakers, she had a dilemma, get a bus, or buy cream cakes and walk home. She headed into ‘Vinn’s’ and picked out a chocolate eclair and a cream slice.

Halfway home, the sky darkened, and a light rain began, which within a few minutes descended into a torrential downpour large heavy drops soaked her through to the skin. Balancing the soggy box of cakes on one knee, Bea struggled to get the key into the lock, grateful to hear the click as it engaged the cogs and swung open. The strong wind that accompanied the torrential rain blew her into the hallway. Once inside her small flat, she kicked off her wet shoes and took a good long look at herself in the mirror; her new trendy haircut now hung down like a crumpled shower curtain.

'Well, that was a waste of seventy quid,' she shivered in her summer jacket and jeans, as a pool of water formed on the parquet floor.

After a hot shower and ensconced in her favourite pink dressing gown, Bea made a cup of tea and flopped down on the big overstuffed couch, much too big for this small room, but it had belonged to her late mother and Bea loved the cosiness of it. She stared at the cream cakes on the plate, squashed but edible, she had just managed to rescue them before the box disintegrated.

Picking up the chocolate eclair, she took a large mouthful. Glancing up at the clock on the wall, Richard would pick her up at six, said he needed to discuss something important with her tonight.

After several unsuccessful internet dates, consisting of those who looked nothing like their profile pictures, to the downright weird, she thought she had struck gold with Richard, tall, handsome, and kind. They had been dating for almost a year but just lately, he had been very secretive and received several phone calls in her company, where he informed the caller he was unable to speak at the moment. Bea had confided her fears to her best friend, Trish, over their regular coffee meet-up last week.

Trish shook her head, 'He wouldn’t do that; he is a lovely man.'

'It’s my fault; I’m overweight and frumpy.' Bea nearly choked on her carrot cake as her eyes filled with tears. 'I found a receipt in his jacket for Harper Lodge, who is he taking there?'

Trish put a comforting arm around her shoulders and told her she was being daft.

After finishing off the lonely cream slice, Bea did her best with her new hairstyle, then pulled out her wardrobe looking for a knockout outfit. 'Show him what he will miss,' she snorted derisively but discarded every item she tried on.

'I look like a stuffed sausage, no wonder, he has found someone else.'

She sat on the bed and sobbed. How she wished Annie was here, her only sibling had emigrated to Australia two years ago, Bea missed her terribly.

Gathering her composure, she found a black shift dress from the back of the wardrobe, loose and flowing; it hid all of her imperfections. A slap of make-up and a couple of large glasses of wine made her feel human at least.

Richard arrived at five on the dot, looking very dapper in his charcoal grey suit that matched his eyes. 'Ready Bea, we mustn’t be late.' He helped her into her jacket and escorted her to the car.

He hummed along to the radio as they headed out of town.

Bea felt utterly miserable, 'Where are we going?' she asked.

'Not too far, we’re be there in a few minutes,' he smiled.

Pulling into Harper Lodge, Richard opened the car door and helped her out. He offered her his arm, after all that wine she took it gratefully, would not make a good impression if she fell flat on her face.

As Richard pushed open the door to the darkened reception room, there was a roar of ‘Surprise,’ followed by a rendition of 'Happy Birthday.' Balloons and Banners with ‘Happy 40th Bea’ festooned the room.

Bea stood in amazement, everyone she knew gathered around her, after accepting the gifts and well wishes, Trish brought someone over to her. Bea shrieked with delight. Annie stood in front of her.

'You look beautiful tonight,' Richard told her, 'and I have one last present for you,' he took out a small red box and got down on one knee.

The guests began a drunken rendition of ‘Congratulations.’

Later that evening as they drove back to her flat, a tipsy Bea thought happily, 'He really is a lovely man.’