An Invitation To Tea (A Dark Comedy) Part 1

Charles Latimer visited the corner shop run by the Forbes sisters Charlotte and Grace almost every day. He could have collected his groceries in one visit, but the short intercourse of words they exchanged broke the emptiness in his life. As he entered the shop, the tiny bell above the door chimed. Grace Forbes stood behind the counter. “Good morning Mr Latimer, ” she said. “What would you like today? ” Good morning, Grace. I’ve written out a small list. My needs are not many as you know.” He replied and smiled. “I’m surprised you never married. You would have made some lucky woman a wonderful husband.” Charles Latimer felt his cheeks warm. “Would it be all right to leave the list and pick up my groceries later? ” “Of course. Why, have you got a date with someone? ” “In a manner of speaking. I feed the pigeons in the park every morning about this time. I must be going now.” “We’ll have your groceries ready by the time you get back.” “Thank you, ” he said, turned, and left. Grace watched him leave. A sad unpretentious man whose clothes always seemed a size too large. “Grace who were you talking to? ” Her sister asked entering the shop. “Our Mr. Latimer, Charlotte. He has left a list.” “It is a shame he never married.” “Yes. He wasn’t fortunate to be blessed with a brother or sister neither. Such a same.” “Maybe we should introduce him to Mr Potter.” “I don’t think so. Not after the trouble we had with him after Mr Armad’s visit.” “That is because he wasn’t English. Mr Potter doesn’t like foreigners. He found Mr Small and Mr Cummings quite agreeable, didn’t he? ” “Yes.” “He is bound to like Mr Latimer.” Charlotte smiled. “Now we must put up his groceries for him.” To be continued…