Blogger's Blag: Even Ends - a short story by Liz Mistry

Even Ends

            The room was tastefully decorated.  Warm parquet floor, subdued spotlights above carefully selected paintings on neutral walls.  Tommy Winnings sat in front of the large, real wood fire.  Strong hands with blunt, square tipped fingers rested atop a tartan shawl.  His blunt square tipped fingers caressed the soft richly woven wool, while his legs remained oblivious to its existence never mind its’ warmth.

Tommy was worried.  Odd numbers were never lucky for him and it preyed on his mind that he’d ended his illustrious career on one.  Now, there was little time left to rectify that and change his fortune. His thoughts were interrupted by the door swinging open, as Carla walked in.

“Hi there Tommy Tuppence!” 

Tommy grinned, rheumy eyes twinkling appreciatively as she sashayed over, ample hips swaying as she walked.  She leaned over and kissed the top of his white down covered head. 

“You been behaving yourself whilst I’ve been out?”

Tommy shook his head and grinned. “Nah, I’ve been to the pub, met up with some loose women and ended up at a disco.”

Carla raised her eyebrows and waggled a finger at him.  “I’ve told you before about going dancing and leaving me behind.  It’s just not fair!”

They both laughed and then Carla crouched beside his chair.  “I’ve got something for you.”

Tommy’s heart skipped a beat hoping it was the thing he’d asked her for.

She nodded and winked.  “Yes, I went up to the attic like you asked and…”

She disappeared behind him, made a bit of a rustling noise and reappeared carrying a large metal box.  “Ta Da!”
     
Tommy’s eyes fastened on the box. His tongue flicked his lips and when he spoke his voice shook slightly.  “Thank you, Thank you”

Ruffling his hair, she headed out of the room, pausing at the door, “I’ll bring you tea in an hour, ok? Don’t be misbehaving when I’m away”

Tommy glanced up from the box and grinned. “Thought I’d do some aerobics but don’t worry I’ll put the furniture back when I’m done.”

“You better”.

Tommy listened as her footsteps faded before placing is hands on the cold steel lid.  He pulled the combination lock toward him and turned the dial to the numbers in turn.  Each one was an even number.  Holding his breath he lifted the lid and looked inside.  His breath caught when he saw the velvet wrapped parcel inside.  Delicately, he lifted it out and placed it gently on the table before looking back into

the box.  His cheeks flushed as he delved in and began to count.  He counted each object inside the box twice.  “Hmm, twenty- nine.  An odd number.”

He thought for a minute then smiling he closed his eyes, thrust his hand in, rooted around and then lifted out a small plastic bag containing a pair of pearl drop earrings.  He studied them carefully and then spoke quietly. 

“Small brunette, long hair, annoying laugh, Paris 1983”

Smiling, he placed that bag to the side and again rooted in the box.This time the plastic bag contained a delicate Cartier watch, each number encrusted with a diamond. 

“Ah, ha.  Tall, blonde bob, dark skin, birthmark on right buttock, Vienna, 1973”

He repeated this with each bag, then turned to the velvet package.  Reverently he peeled away the soft fabric to reveal the contents.  “My, my you are a beauty; I’d almost forgotten how lovely you were.”

With shaking hands he lifted it, shuddering deep in his chest.  Clasping the shaft in one firm hand he lifted it to his mouth and sensually licked along the stiletto’s full length, feeling corresponding steel between his legs.  “Bliss!”

Hearing Carla’s muted humming he covered the box and thrust the knife  under his blanket and waited.

“Tea’s up Tommy darling and I’ve got cookies too.”

Tommy smiled.  “I could do with something to sate my appetite.”

Carla pushed the trolley over and kissed Tommy’s head.

Suddenly, his strong hand stretched up and grabbed her hair.  One quick flick of the wrist and she was at the right angle.  Unhesitatingly he lifted his other hand and, in a glitter of diamonds, ran the blade across her exposed throat.

Her eyes widened momentarily, before her frantic hands reached up to her sticky neck.  Tommy, pulling the silver comb from her hair and with a final gurgle she fell to the floor.  Tommy held the treasure in his hand kissed it gently, popped it into a plastic bag and placed it beside his other treasures. “Thirty an even number end” 

He closed his eyes.

         “Tall, sassy, funny with long black hair, London 2013.”

With a final glance at his box, he again raised the knife and double handed thrust into his groin. When he looked down his blanket was a darker red.

He felt nothing.