Getting The Message

A plan is required in this lighthearted short story by Keith Havers.

- Keith Havers

The daily notes were lovely, but Val wished Geoff would be more spontaneous!

 I LOVE you, babe,” Geoff said. “Bye.” “Love you, too.” Their morning ritual over, Val waved her husband goodbye and prepared to head off to work.

She reached inside the fridge for her salad box, prepared the night before. Before dropping it in her bag, she prised it open to see what message Geoff had taped on the inside of the lid today. Dreaming of you. “He hasn’t used that one for a while,” she remarked. She found it best to check before opening her lunch at work. Sometimes his love notes could be embarrassing.

Things like “Love your hot lips” and “You’re my sugar babe” weren’t too bad, but “You have sexy legs” and “You turn me on” were best for her eyes only.

Arriving at the office, she put her lunch in the fridge, switched on her computer and got down to work.

At eleven o’clock her mobile phone buzzed. Val took it from her bag and read the text message. Missing you already. “Geoff?” Sandra at the opposite desk knew all about Val’s messages. “Yes.” “Too rude to share?” “No, but I’m not sharing anyway.” Val grinned. “Earn your own love notes.”

“It must be nice to still get love letters even after you’re married,” Rebecca, another of Val’s colleagues, said. “They’re not love letters. Just notes.” “Is it true he proposed by sticking a bunch of sticky notes on the wall that spelled out WILL YOU MARRY ME?”