Thursday 27 April 2023

Ping Ping by Hannah Retallick , red grape juice

 Ping.

                 In the beginning, her group message about Harvest Festival.

 

Ping ping.

                 Request for me to bring apples and grapes. Quickly followed by oh and red grape juice please Scottie.

 

Ping ping ping.

                 Thanked me for agreeing to it. Added a can of beans to the list of contributions. Told me I’m a real darling.

 

Ping ping ping ping.

                 Wondered if I could help with putting out the chairs. If it wasn’t too much trouble. If I could manage to meet her there at 9am. Thanked me profusely.

 

Ping ping ping ping ping.

                 Even gushier gratitude. Asked a personal question. Apologised for asking the personal question. Still wanted to know the answer. Added a lol to seem more casual than she likely was.

 

Ping ping ping ping ping ping.

                 Questioned how I could have no interest in that kind of thing. Said it just seemed so strange to her that someone would have no interest whatsoever. Said she didn’t want to be nosy. Proceeded to be nosier. Asked another personal question. Deflected with anyway I’ll see you Sunday yeah?

 

Ping ping ping ping ping ping ping.

                 A pronouncement that the festival went well, didn’t it? Responded to my non-existent message by thanking me, yet again, for all my help in making it a success. Said they couldn’t have done it without me. Promised to stop bothering me now if that’s what I really wanted. Said a casual take care then Scottie. Said she guessed she’d see me around. Okay bye.

 About the author

Hannah Retallick is from Anglesey, North Wales. She was home educated and then studied with the Open University, graduating with a first-class BA (Honours) Arts and Humanities (Creative Writing and Music) degree, before passing her creative writing MA with distinction. Her work has been placed and shortlisted in several international competitions. https://www.hannahretallick.co.uk/about

 

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