Your TURN

Edie knew life wasn’t a rehearsal, but when was she going to act?

- Jane Ayres

Glancing at her watch again, Edie sighed. Rachel was late. Admittedly, when Edie had suggested they try the Poetry & Pints night at a local pub, Rachel wasn’t keen, but she’d reluctantly agreed to meet Edie inside at 7.30pm.

Deep down, Edie knew Rachel was fickle and selfish, having let her down many times before, cancelling at the last minute if she got a better offer, which didn’t help Edie’s low selfesteem. But Edie was painfully shy, and extrovert Rachel, who she had met working at the council offices, was her only friend.

The pub's function room was filling up fast. Sweating in beige combats and a grey jacket — muted colours she hoped blended into the background — Edie couldn't wait for Rachel any longer. Staying was too intimidating, so she anxiously headed for the exit.

‘Leaving already? Everything OK?’ said a bubbly 40-ish woman with pink hair selling poetry pamphlets from a table.

Edie reddened. ‘I was supposed to meet my friend here, but she clearly isn’t coming, and now there aren't any seats left.’

‘Is this your first open mic?’ asked the woman.

‘Is it that obvious?’ Edie joked nervously.

‘Are you reading tonight?’

‘Goodness, no!’ replied Edie hastily. ‘I love writing poetry but I couldn’t read it in public.’