deepundergroundpoetry.com
Silent, The Discussion On The Pier
Two Years Earlier, Gavin
'I'm telling you,' Philippa during the second coffee break. We were outside, standing by the pier railings with our drinks. 'That woman is so unbelievably mean. She listens in to your thoughts and twists them just to confuse you.'
'She seemed okay to me, 'I said, staring out at the choppy sea. It made me think of diesel and rough crossings, and I tipped my drink over the railings. Last night's party kept playing on my mind. The rain and wind and cold coming straight from the sea, freezing my toes and fingers. The moody teenager Scott calling me a freak. The little boy Pete squealing and jumping on me before walking me home. Scott and Pete, Terence Harlesden's sons. Terence who had just offered to help promote my career.
'Really?' Philippa was saying. 'Yeah, well, no offence intended, but you're a likeable guy, Gavin. I bet you get on with everyone.'
'Not true.'
‘People are always putting me down and making me feel small,' Pilippa went on. 'Agnes picked on me right from the start. Take the pedalling in the Bach. Agnes complained I wasn't paying proper attention, but I was pedalling to the harmony in exactly the way my tutor at college has taught me.'
'The pedalling was fine,' I said.
'And then she was moaning that I shouldnt be pedalling at all because the piece is Baroque. What's her problem, anyway? She's so spiteful.'
'The pedal hadn't really been invented when Bach was around,' I said. 'That's what Agnes was getting at. Some people have strong opinions on it. Anyway, harmonic pedalling's fine.'
'A quick word, Philippa,' Dawn said, appearing suddenly on the pier. I wondered how long she'd been there.
'I'm listening, ' Philippa said. 'Or, as they say in French, j'ecoute.'
'In private, please.'
Philippa shook her head. 'If you have something to say to me, you can say it here by the railings, with Gavin listening.'
'I'd rather not,' Dawn said. 'Can we talk alone in private in the Theatre, please?'
'I'm not going anywhere.'
'Maybe I should go back in, ' I said.
'That might be for the best,' Dawn said.
'No,' Philippa said. 'Stay. If you have something to say, Dawn, then just say it.'
'Okay, ' Dawn said. 'Well, we have a problem that needs resolving. Agnes will be waiting in the Green Room at the end of the next class. She'll be there for twenty minutes.'
'Why are you telling me this?'
'Because I think you need to talk to her. Let's leave it at that. She'll be waiting for twenty minutes.' Dawn turned abruptly and marched off.
Published 22nd Apr 2023
All writing remains the property of the author. Don't use it for any purpose without their permission.
likes 3
reading list entries 1
comments 4
reads 200
Commenting Preference:
The author is looking for friendly feedback.
13th May 2023 6:23pm
14th May 2023 4:02pm
26th Jun 2023 2:59am
Dear L,
My only wish is that I had run these off and made my own little book out of these writes. I’m gripped with suspense. You never fail your reader! H 🌷
My only wish is that I had run these off and made my own little book out of these writes. I’m gripped with suspense. You never fail your reader! H 🌷
27th Jun 2023 8:31am
Thanks again, Honoria. I'll try to get all the story posts into a simple e file at some point and make it available for free.
Best wishes, Lawrence
Best wishes, Lawrence
