Starting afresh

When the confessions start, the members of Debbie's book group make a startling decision

- A short story by S Bee

How did you find the book I recommended last week?” Debbie addressed her home-based book group brightly.

Calling it a group when it had just three members was stretching it, she thought glumly.

Still, it was a new group. Maybe more people would join later?

At the same time, Debbie wondered if Sue or Fay had bothered to read the novel.

“To be honest, Debbie, it was like wading through treacle,” Sue replied.

“Thanks, Sue. I appreciate your...”

“Opinion?” Fay jumped in.

“Frankness?”

“Frank opinion. How did you find it, Fay?” Debbie asked.

She shrugged. “If you don't mind me saying, I found the plot quite tedious. I’m afraid I gave up on it after chapter 3.”

Sue broke in. “Same here. Hey, did you hear about the sheep who couldn't get into a pub? Because it was...”

“Baared!” Fay burst out.

On the sofa, Sue and Fay clutched each other and collapsed into giggles.

Debbie stifled a sigh. “I think it's time for a tea break.”

She headed for the kitchen. Those two just want to have a giggle. We may as well give up and go to the pub, she mused.

Debbie was newly retired from her admin job. Stuck at home on her own all day was difficult to get used to.

She needed a new hobby and friends!

She's thought that setting up a book group would be a good idea.

Debbie had got busy and had designed some posters. She'd displayed these in the library and she'd also posted information on local social media groups.

But Debbie had hoped to recruit more than two members.