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London calling

"London calling" is a micro-fiction short story by Russell Cavanagh about breakdown of a friendship due to covid.

"Who was that?"

    "A blast from the past, Jim London," said Ross, putting down his mobile with one hand and scratching his head with the other.

    "You were pretty abrupt with him," said Lesley.

    "Yeah, well, fell out some years ago."

    "Where did you know him from?"

    "When I lived in England. We had one or two common interests, one might say."

    Ross was clearly agitated by the call. He'd hoped for a relatively uninterrupted afternoon with his visitor.

    "What's he like," said Lesley.

    "A unique blend of considerate, kind-hearted, and supercilious dickhead," declared Ross.

    "Being a wee bit judgemental there Ross?"

    "Nah, just lived experience and keen observation."

    "So what was he after?"

    "Just what you heard. He's coming to Scotland with his family and wants to drop in for a gloat."

    "You should see him at least," said Lesley, concerned about Ross living alone on a remote edge of the Scottish coast. "How did you two fall out?"

    "He gave me one of those Call someone you know may be alone or vulnerable calls that the government suggested during the covid hoax."

    "He swallowed the plandemic narrative? Well, maybe he did think he was doing you a good turn ..."

    "Perhaps. But those of us who refused the propaganda were, if you remember, vilified, subject to a barrage of psychological abuse."

    "Sure, of course I remember."

    "Well, I didn't take too kindly to his call, especially as he never was a master of sincerity."

    "Ah," said Lesley, now able to visualise the scene more clearly.

    "Mind you, at least I didn't nuke him."

    "Huh?"

    "I've known for a long time that his wife was having an affair."

    "Oh, wow ..."

    "Yeah, I was as good as there. I actually saw it. But their kids were young then - and anyway, it was never my style to create trouble like that, not for anyone."

    "So you never told him?"

    "No."

    The mobile ringing again, Ross picked it up, looked at the display, turned it off, tossed it into a drawer.

    "London calling?" asked Lesley.

    "Yep."

    "Was it you she was having the affair with?"

    "No," Ross smiled, "but wouldn't that provide a really neat ending to this story?"



CC BY-ND 4.0 Russell Cavanagh

 

Ephesians 4:29 (KJV)

29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. 

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