Every month I put a FREE short story on here. Here’s the story for July, 2025.
A Perfect Match
“You did what? I don’t believe it. How could you?” Teri stared at her mother, trying to align the images running through her brain with the quiet, unassuming, totally predictable, woman she knew.
“I told you. I replied to an ad in the paper. Honestly – it’s not rocket science.”
“But Mum, a lonely-hearts ad? They’re all written by rogues on the look-out for lonely old women they can sweet talk into bed or out of their fortunes.”
“Well, as I don’t have a fortune I’ve nothing to worry about have I? Anyway, they can’t all be rogues or the paper wouldn’t accept them.” Blanche stood up from the table and carried her empty cup to the sink. Her face softened. She turned to Teri. “I’m not trying to replace your father if that’s what you think. He’s been gone ten years now and he wouldn’t have wanted me to be lonely in my old age.”
“I know Mum, but a lonely-hearts ad?”
“What wrong with wanting a bit of male company now and then? All I’m looking for is companionship, occasional outings, intelligent conversation…” She walked over to the table and picked up Teri’s cup and saucer. “I’m sixty-five, not a hundred and five. I want something more exciting than Wednesday night Bingo and fish and chips on Friday with Aunt Betty.” She took a deep breath. “You and your brother have your own lives, leave me to live mine.”
Teri sighed and pulled the letter and photo on the table towards her. The man in the photo appeared quite sprightly, honest blue eyes stared out at her¸ and the letter was warm, not gushing, but she still had her doubts. “How do you know this is really him,” she said. “He could have sent anyone’s photo.”
“What would be the point of that? I’m meeting him for lunch in Miranda’s in town. That’s the face I’ll be looking for; anyone else turns up its no go from the start. Honestly Teri, what sort of a fool do you take me for?”
There’s no fool like an old fool, Teri thought but kept silent. “If you insist on going, I’m going with you. There’s a coffee bar opposite Miranda’s. I’ll sit outside and watch until I’m sure you’re okay.”
Blanche sighed and shook her head but didn’t object.
For the rest of the week Teri worried about her mum. She even spoke to her brother, Kevin, about it but he just shrugged his shoulders and said, “Mum’s no fool. She knows what she’s doing and it’ll do her good to get out more.” But it didn’t stop Teri being concerned.
She thought of her father, Frank, a warm-hearted generous man who believed life was to be enjoyed, not endured. They’d had forty happy years together, it was natural Mum would miss his hearty, outgoing personality. Of course she was right, he wouldn’t object to her going out and having some fun. He’d be the first to encourage her. He’d want her to make the most of the time she had left. Teri sighed. Perhaps she was worrying too much. ‘An old worry-wort’ her Dad used to call her.
On Saturday Blanche made a real effort with her hair and make-up and spent hours deciding what to wear. Teri was happy to see her taking such an interest in herself and getting so excited. Still she couldn’t help worrying. She hoped it didn’t turn out to be the disaster she was expecting. She insisted on accompanying her mother into town. Anxiety churned in her stomach as she watched her go into the restaurant. Fingers crossed, she thought.
In the coffee bar opposite Miranda’s Teri bought herself a coffee and looked for a seat outside where she’d have a clear view. All the tables were taken, only one seat was vacant and that was at a table occupied by a man sitting alone. “Is this seat taken?” she asked. “Do you mind?”
The man glanced up. His face looked familiar but Teri couldn’t quite place it. “No, it’s fine,” he said smiling.
Teri noticed his almost empty coffee cup. “Are you sure? I mean, you’re not waiting for anyone?”
“No.” He hesitated and looked embarrassed.
Teri drank her coffee, occasionally looking over to Miranda’s where her mother sat at a table by the window.
After a while the man got up. “I’m having another,” he said. “Can I get you one?”
Teri stared at her almost empty cup. “That’s very kind,” she said.
When he returned with the coffees he said, “My name’s Scott by the way.”
Teri smiled.“Teri,” she said. She felt a bit guilty, after all she was supposed to be looking out for her mum, not picking up strange men, even if he did look a bit of a dish.
“I expect you think I’m a bit odd, sitting here on my own, but the truth is I’m only here to keep an eye on my dad.”
“Your dad?”
“Yes. He’s meeting someone.” He nodded towards Miranda’s. “Old fool’s on a blind date – at his age.” He frowned. “Only went and put an ad in the paper, didn’t he. Lonely-hearts, you know the sort of thing. Now some woman’s replied and he’s meeting her. I told him he was crazy. Only the desperate or insane believe lonely-heart ads, but you know what parents are like…”
Teri suppressed a giggle. “What’s he like – your dad?”
“Dad? He’s nearly seventy, but sprightly, not bad looking, keeps himself fit. Quite a catch in fact. I told him he’d only meet women out to sweet talk him out of a fortune, which he doesn’t have incidentally, but he said he’s been lonely since Mum died and misses female company. He’s after an occasional day out, intelligent conversation, perhaps a visit to the theatre or cinema…” Concern clouded his honest blue eyes.
Terri grinned. Relief flooded her face. Her mum was meeting his dad. She couldn’t suppress a wry smile as she realised they were both on the same mission and that his son cared as much about him as she did about her mum. Then there was the prospect that, if they got on, she’d have a chance to get to know this handsome chap better.
“I don’t think you need to worry,” she said. “I’m betting today he’ll meet his perfect match.”
If you enjoyed this story there are many more in my Short Story Collections here.
