The Secret Diary Of A First Time F.O.F.; part nineteen

Posted on Jun 4, 2019 by TanGental

This is entirely fiction. Completely. Utterly. Except for any true bits

August 29th; 9.17am. First Born calls. ‘I’ve had a really cool idea.’

9.20am. Call back as promised now I have (a) sat down and (b) poured a tincture of Caledonian Comfort viz a ten year old single malt. Now fully prepared for whatever horror awaits. I offer myself for ritual sacrifice.

9.49am. ‘Are you still there, dad?’ We are both a little stunned in truth. On the one hand First Born’s Cool Idea is pretty chilled – a display of pictures of the departed on a table with a sign along the lines of ‘much missed’. On the other First Born understands the delicacy.

9.50am. Promise I will look out photos of various aunts and grandmas. ‘But what about grandpa?’ Say I will raise with First Of Her Name.

10.am. Indeed the grandpa conundrum is a troubling one. There are, so far as I know, no photographs of First Of Her Name’s father – bar one. Those that we did have we were directed to destroy on his death ‘to avoid any further embarrassment’ viz he sported a portwine stain in the shape of an anatomically accurate representation of a fully erect hampton on his left cheek. Being coloured in purple only increased the verisimilitude. Even with the makeup he wore he was convinced, overtime, any attempt at concealment would fade on any photographs, revealing the proud percy for all to admire. We did as we were asked and destroyed those images.

10.01am. Only I didn’t. I kept one of the old boy holding First Born as a baby. His left cheek was hidden and I thought First Born should see it. Have managed to keep it hidden from First Of Her Name by cunning expedient of using as bookmark in 1963 Centenary edition of the Wisden Cricketer’s Almanac certain she will never open such a thrilling tome. Can I reveal subterfuge as First Born wants?

17.04pm. First Of Her Name returns from her volunteering – this year she is saving endangered rudbeckia varieties. Show her selection of possible photos and explain concept.

17.40pm. First Of Her Name v happy with idea. I proffer the last picture I have dug out: her graduation where she is beaming at the man in front of the photographer – an inept me – whose balding head and lined neck is in full view, viz her father. It is the only other picture I have found of him. ‘That’s sweet,’ she says and then leaves the kitchen.

17.45pm. First Of Her Name is back, holding both the secreted photo and the Wisden. ‘This is better.’ She is smiling. The how’s and the why’s remain unspoken.

19.00pm. In pub, nursing pint and mixed emotions. On the one hand, having made both First Born and First Of Her Name happy, I am content. On the other am now worried that my numerous secure hiding places are not as secure as I originally thought. If Wisden isn’t secure then what is?

About TanGental

My name is Geoff Le Pard. Once I was a lawyer; now I am a writer. I've published several books: a four book series following Harry Spittle as he grows from hapless student to hapless partner in a London law firm; four others in different genres; a book of poetry; four anthologies of short fiction; and a memoir of my mother. I have several more in the pipeline. I have been blogging regularly since 2014, on topic as diverse as: poetry based on famous poems; memories from my life; my garden; my dog; a whole variety of short fiction; my attempts at baking and food; travel and the consequent disasters; theatre, film and book reviews; and the occasional thought piece. Mostly it is whatever takes my fancy. I avoid politics, mostly, and religion, always. I don't mean to upset anyone but if I do, well, sorry and I suggest you go elsewhere. These are my thoughts and no one else is to blame. If you want to nab anything I post, please acknowledge where it came from.
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24 Responses to The Secret Diary Of A First Time F.O.F.; part nineteen

  1. Ritu says:
    Jun 4, 2019 at 1:51 pm

    Hiding places no longer secure? Eeek!

    Liked by 1 person

  2. Mary Smith says:
    Jun 4, 2019 at 2:07 pm

    I would bet you don’t have a secure, secret hiding place anywhere in the house – or garden 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  3. John W. Howell says:
    Jun 4, 2019 at 2:17 pm

    OMG. Better check the secreted cribbage fund. (not to mention that last holiday office party portfolio.)

    Liked by 1 person

  4. Jennifer Barricklow says:
    Jun 4, 2019 at 5:10 pm

    What sleepless nights now await our hapless hero! Though perhaps not, if he decides that all his secrets are actually known, so why worry?

    Liked by 1 person

  5. Darlene says:
    Jun 4, 2019 at 5:23 pm

    You should know by now, there are no secrets! This is a very nice idea though.

    Liked by 1 person

  6. Elizabeth says:
    Jun 4, 2019 at 8:43 pm

    My grandson is on a constant mission to find hiding places. Sounds like you live near a similar person!

    Liked by 1 person

  7. thecontentedcrafter says:
    Jun 4, 2019 at 8:51 pm

    Secure hiding places? From a wife? 😀 😀 😀

    Liked by 1 person

  8. derrickjknight says:
    Jun 5, 2019 at 10:18 am

    I’m not sure I like the idea – but then it is nothing to do with me

    Liked by 1 person

  9. willowdot21 says:
    Jun 5, 2019 at 8:56 pm

    No where to run, no where to hide!
    💜

    Liked by 1 person

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