Teapot Tales No. 2: Paula

A series of short pieces of writing forming different perspectives

around a common theme.

Teapot Tales No. 2: Paula

The few spots of rain were beginning to turn into something more substantial. Gina and Suzy decided to take the tea things back into the house. Peter, who had just returned home from work, had come out to join them in the garden and was left chatting to Paula at the table where they were seated outside the greenhouse.

'We’ll be there in a minute,' Paula said. She wanted to ask Peter whether he would be able to get a website designed for her scone making business.

Whilst she and Peter chatted about various possibilities she half absent mindedly started fiddling with the lid of the teapot that was still on the table. She quite like ceramics and was intrigued by the shape of the teapot as a whole. She was intrigued by Peter too. Whilst Peter casually talked about domain names and email addresses she picked up the teapot and began to examine it more closely. Her mind wandered a little as she looked at Peter and ran her hand over the pot’s spout. She smiled and caught Peter’s eye.

'Would you…?' Her slightly sultry tone of voice was cut short.

'Hey, Freddy!' Peter suddenly exclaimed. Freddy had appeared out of nowhere and jumped up onto his lap. His woolly hair was covered in bits of leaves, twig, grass and mud.

'What on earth have you been doing you silly dog? Yuck, what a mess. Bother the rain. Quick, Paula, let’s get into the greenhouse.'

The clouds opened as they hurriedly carried the teapot, deckchairs and table into the greenhouse.

Andy, the gardener, came ambling in to shelter too.

'Hi Pete. Afternoon Paula. ’Could tell it was about to rain. The daisies ya know. GIad I got that mower repaired. Bloomin’ starter motor pinion had broken and you know that carburettor what we found in the shed…?' He had Peter in his grip.

Paula heaved a silent sigh of frustration. She looked out of the door at the torrential rain outside and wished Andy would go away. He was a good friend, but at this particular moment she just wished he would go and get run over by his damned lawnmower.