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The Casket of Fictional Delights

Brooches Podcasts Stories

Lipstick in his Handbag

by Joanna Sterling

PodcastFlash Fiction Amusing, Optimistic

“Is she dead?” David, a plump, balding, middle-aged man wearing a tan-coloured raincoat and holding a Tesco’s carrier bag asks “Are you sure?”

The care-worker looks at David and with a well-practised sympathetic half smile and slight inclination of the head replies.

“Yes, I am sorry, she slipped away peacefully about half an hour ago. I believe someone tried to ring you.”

“A message was left on my phone. I came as soon as I got it. You’re sure she’s dead, there’s no doubt?”

“Would you like me to get you a cup of tea?”

“No. I want to see her.”

“Of course, you’d like to say good-bye.”

The care-worker leads David along a carpeted corridor, past prints of rural landscapes. At the door at the end he hesitates on the threshold of the room. Lying in the bed, eyes closed, is an old lady. Her white hair has been smoothed and she’s wearing a salmon-pink nightie buttoned up to the neck. David approaches, places the Tesco’s bag on the end of the bed and reaches into the bag, withdrawing a small mirror with a gilt handle. Walking to the head of the bed he bends over holding it close to the old lady’s mouth.

“Yes, you’re right, she’s really dead – at last.”

Again from the Tesco’s bag he withdraws a lipstick and holding the mirror paints his lips bright red. Finally he takes out a black patent leather handbag, puts in the mirror and the lipstick and snaps it shut with a satisfying click. He takes off his raincoat, stuffs it in the Tesco’s bag and hands it to the care-worker.

“Could you get rid of this for me, I won’t be wearing it anymore.” He turns and leaves swinging his hips and handbag in unison.

 

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You are listening to
Lipstick in his Handbag
by Joanna Sterling

https://thecasket.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Flash-Fiction-Compilation-Two.mp3

Story read by Keith Morris for The Casket of Fictional Delights.

About Joanna Sterling

Joanna writes short stories and flash fiction, has had her work published in a number of magazines and anthologies. She lives in London with her ever growing collection of Brooches.

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Starting in June and through to the end of September  The Casket of Fictional Delights presents more Susan Tate adventures.  Enjoy following a year in the life of Susan Tate the quirky librarian who lives in Canterbury with her cat Charles Dickens written by Joanna Sterling, read by Menna Bonsels and illustrated by Michael N Green.

There are many other short stories and flash fictions available to read and listen to in our Stories and Podcast sections.

Joanna & The Casket of Fictional Delights Team

 

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  • Its July in the life #SusanTate the quirky #librarian who lives in #Canterbury with her #cat ‍⬛#CharlesDickens - Derek has a surprise for Susan's #birthday You can #read or #listen to the story read by @MennaBonsels #free https://t.co/YudZOQtdto https://t.co/oyMBRICsQ4, 10 hours ago
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  • More adventures from the quirky #librarian #SusanTate who lives in #Canterbury with her #cat ‍⬛#CharlesDickens - the sun is shining and its June Susan goes to a #party and a #WineTasting . You can #read or #listen to the story #free https://t.co/U66svWkFOe https://t.co/DzDpqmE9EX, Aug 2
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Text & stories © Joanna Sterling 2022
Stories © various authors
Editing by Joanna Sterling & Alyson Faye
Audio by Menna Bonsels
Brooch photography by Mark Colliton
Other photography by Rosie Marks
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