Short Story.

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SHORT STORY

Chloe sat on a plastic bench by the harbour, waiting for the boat that would take her to the island.

"I'm waiting for Josephine, Miss" said an elderly man as he sat beside her. Chloe sighed inwardly. She did not feel like talking and after all, she did not know this man sitting beside, nor did she know any one called Josephine.

"She'll be on the next ferry," he continued, " Are you taking the next ferry?" His voice was pleasant, lilting and light. Chloe glanced at her watch, she still had two hours to wait. Dilemma. She wanted quiet, she wanted to be on her own. Still, a question had been asked and a reply was needed.

"Yes," she responded in a quiet voice, " I'll be taking the next ferry." He nodded and seemed satisfied. It lulled him into a thoughtful silence. Chloe took the opportunity in this silence to steal a quick glance at him. He was of a grandfatherly age, his face lined with wrinkles and his pale blue eyes reflected a sadness. He wore a crisp, black suit with a white shirt and black tie. His black shoes were polished so thoroughly that you could see your face in them. His attire was a bit bizarre for a stroll by the harbour. He seemed to be wearing the sort of clothes you would wear to a funeral. Chloe thought she'd snatched a brief glance but when his eyes met hers she realised she must have been staring. She smiled quickly and a little too widely hoping it would serve as an apology.

The sea lapped lazily at the side of the harbour and the sun shone down on them. Chloe liked this man, he reminded her that she was without a grandfather and that he might do the job well. In a bid to pass the time away more quickly Chloe attempted to find out a bit more about him.

" Who is Josephine?" he looked startled when she asked this question.

"Josephine, is the girl I am waiting for." This reply was a little cryptic but his voice was loving. " Why are you going to the island?" he asked Chloe attempting to take the conversation away from Josephine.

" I have sort of ...... run away. I need some time and space to help sort things out in my head." He nodded as though he knew exactly what Chloe was talking about.

" The island is a good place for quiet thinking" he said in a melancholy voice. Chloe was still curious about Josephine.

"Does Josephine live on the island?"

"Not any more, She's coming back now on the ferry you'll be taking over there.

"Is she your wife?"

"No" After a few minutes of silence Chloe spotted the ferry approaching.

" Can you see her?" she asked, watching his blue eyes scan and scour the figures on the deck and on the gangplank. "Josephine, is she there?" But he is too busy combing the crowd to answer.
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Now the deck is deserted, the gangplank bare and the passengers dispersed. He turns to Chloe,

"I'm waiting for Josephine," he tells her looking disorientated and down. Chloe feels concerned for him and cross with Josephine.

"Why don't I take the next ferry? I could wait with you." Chloe suggested.

"No, no, the island awaits you. I'm waiting for Josephine, she'll be here soon. Perhaps on the next ferry."

Chloe shuffled and wished him well. He said good luck but his watery eyes are else where, forever scanning. As the ferry moved she ...

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