January 26th 9.35pm.
Charles arrived this evening.
Trust Charles, ever reliable and over-reliant, to turn up at the most unexpected times. I couldn’t tell he was one of them until I’d opened the door; he was dressed in his best but stank to high heaven.
It’s been so long and I couldn’t face him like that, so I closed the door on him.
January 27th 9.46pm.
Dexter’s cheered me up today. His leg is improving; it seems that over-paid vet knew what she was doing after all. I must let him out tomorrow though, he’s going stir-crazy, but then I suppose it has been over a month with just the two of us here.
All quiet and no more wanderers, not that we had many in this area anyway: it seems money buys peace and quiet after all, even at the worst of times! All the violent types seem to have been down in the city, which is good.
January 28th 9.55pm.
I think Dexter surprised even himself with the speed in which he left the house this morning! There could have been worse places to be holed-up in, I suppose, but I’m glad to see his leg is better, poor chap.
Stock check: a weeks worth of tea lights and a few candles; rather like being an evacuee again, ‘wandering the darkened corridors’. Mother would have been proud!
January 29th 7.21pm.
Dexter has not returned yet. He’s probably just enjoying himself; most likely he wanted to escape from this tired old bachelor’s company!
The house seems empty without him, though.
Opened a few windows to let some fresh air in, Charles always did say it was stuffy in here. Very little on the radio now, other than from across the channel; they’re still on about the ‘Malaise’, as they like to call it. That French dictionary came in handy after all!
Note: Must pick up some more batteries for the radio.
January 30th 9.26pm.
Well, he rolled in this morning without a care in the world! Some would say he’s been chasing rats and mice, but not if I know my Dexter; he’s been brought up on classier fare.
To add to the shopping list: more food for Dexter and perhaps some water as the tank is running short.
January 31st 9.51pm
Ventured out today, good to get some exercise for these old legs and lungs!
Jameson’s was a mess, such a shame really, it being one of the few non-trumped up grocers in the area.
Didn’t see old Jameson himself, or anyone else for that matter.
Gathered some tinned food for Dexter, not his normal brand though…also got some batteries and bottled water. Bottled water, for heavens sake! A silly idea, but useful now, I’ll admit.
The radio’s saying that the ‘Malaise’ is restricted to the British mainland. Of course it is now called the ‘British Malaise’, which will cheer up our European friends, no doubt!
February 1st 9.15pm
Dexter liked his new brand, a tasty combination of tuna chunks and sauce. I’ll pick up a few more tins later in the week, especially now it’s free! It seems that he has an appetite for both of us.
February 2nd 8.25pm
Woke up late this morning, the first time in years! Must be the lack of exercise. Went for a walk over the bridge and around the estate to liven up a bit; glorious weather, cold and clear, the view over Bristol is wonderful! Spring is definitely around the corner, the snowdrops are out and the buds on the trees are already waxing; plenty of Dexter’s friends about too, now that there are no cars or people around.
February 4th 8.05pm
I think I may have caught it off Charles;
Never had a large appetite, but haven’t eaten since yesterday; they say that loss of appetite is the first sign. Can’t say the same about Dexter though, who is looking as healthy as ever.
Managed to get to Jameson’s this afternoon and pick up some more food; chicken liver – a bit fatty for his taste, but the only thing left.
February 6th 7.08pm
His Highness is not receiving an audience anymore, it seems. He’s never been a lap cat, but he won’t let me near him now. We’ve been together some time, ever since he was a kitten. I suppose this is how a mother feels, when her only child flies the roost.
Maybe he can smell it on me.
February 9th 5.24pm
The first rot is appearing, but I don’t want to look. Keep it hidden, like so many things in life.
To think it was Charles who would end me! The way I treated him, yet he still came back; he always did. He gave so much in life.
Dexter popped in briefly this morning, to get some food; didn’t even glance at me, but at least he’s active, it doesn’t seem to have got to him, thankfully.
February 13th 2.45pm
I’ll stay in bed from now on; it’s easier for the both of us.
The back door’s open, in case he wants to come back; there’s no one else around anyway and it’ll air the place out. The last of the new brand he likes so much is in his bowl, at the end of the landing; I can see it reflected in the dresser mirror.
It would be nice to see him again, but I’m sure he’ll be okay.
****
“You finished in there yet?” his colleague called from the other bedroom, breaking his concentration.
He cast the Moleskin diary back onto the mildewed bedspread, glancing at the withered corpse which barely disturbed its corrupted surface. The number of houses he’d checked since the clean-up faded in his memory, but it still got to him every now and again; if only the old man hadn’t let his cat out.
Carefully checking the bedroom’s nooks and crannies for Dexter or friends, he left the room.
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© 2010 Liam Cadey
Living in Bristol and taking a break from the many other pastimes he undertakes in a feeble attempt to control the demons, Liam decided to take up the flash fiction challenge – and loved it! There may be more, time allowing…
Tags: Liam Cadey
