The Fate of A Postman

Grumpy Beginnings

"Yeah, sorry mate. You've got the sack." Johnathan shrugged as he snuffed his cigarette out on his ashtray. God, I hated how nonchalant he was about all of this. I am- well.. was an amazing worker! I did everything on time and not to mention I did it well! My primary school teachers told me I would grow up to do amazing things, I suppose getting the sack must be one of them.

Losing my job was not something I wanted to happen today. Not with my wife's birthday coming up. What would I tell her? 'Oh, yeah.. sorry Fleur, lost my job today going to have to move in with your snotty sister and her arsewipe of a son. Love you, dear.'

Fucking hell, what a mess. What a mess. This is just a huge, massive, big fat ugly tub of mess. Johnathan sat down on his chair and leaned back, the annoying stretching of the leather echoed. "As I said, i've already put in an application for the job finders for you. They should be back to you in a few days, Matty."

Oh my fucking god i'm a job seeker now. As if my day couldn't get any worse. I feel as if i'm falling deeper and deeper into a big hole of depravity. "Er, Johnny-" I start.

"Johnathan." He corrects and my eye twitches.

"Yeah, Johnathan," I stand from my seat, my red satchel still slung over my shoulder. It was still full of letters from today which I was going to deliver but was swiftly interrupted by Johnathan asking to have a 'word' with me before my shift even started.
"if you dont mind me asking, erm.. Why have I been sacked?"

"Well, it's 'cause your boring, Matthew."

-

The walk back home was humiliating. My, now empty, satchel swinging as I trudge back home. I had to pass all the people who's house I used to deliver parcels and letters to. Everything was fucked.

Pauline, an older lady smiled at me. "Oh, Matthew, my dear. I hope you're not too busy but I have a special letter to give you." Pauline reached into her purse and handed me a small letter. It was just like any others. "For my friend, Suzie. She lives quite far, I must admit but you do such a good job and i'd trust you with just about any letter of mine." Her lips curl into a tight smile and she pushes her rose-tinted glasses up her slightly crooked nose.

I can't help but feel bad, this innocent old woman who knows nothing about my job situation wants to send a letter to an old friend. Despite having half a mind to say no and shove her infront of the next car that passes us I give her a smile, my moustache arching to form a smile too. "I'll be sure to deliver it as soon as possible." I nod, taking the letter from her and tucking it into my satchel.

"Thank you, Matty. Always good to see you, love." She leans up to press a kiss to my cheek, her rouge lipstick leaving a small stain. "I'll see you later, dear." Pauline waddles off down the road and turns a corner to the front street and I continue my walk.

A minute or two passes and I walk up to the gate to my house. It was a simple council house. One you would normally see in every northern British villiage ever. My hand hovers over the doorknob almost as if i'm too scared to open it. But I don't have to...

because my wife does it for me.

God, Fleur. The most beautiful women I have ever set my eyes on. We met in a sketchy bar somewhere in London. She was there for university and I was just there to piss about with some mates. When we first started dating, she told me about how her parents had given her funds for university so she could study some art degree.

Her parents were from France and as much as I love her and want to loveher family just the same I just can't stand the fucking dickheads. They're rich, snobby bastards who hate me just as much as I hate them. But I could never hate Fleur.

"Matthew!" She greets me with a hug and I return it, burying my face in her blonde hair. I lift her off the ground while hugging her and my heart flutters when she laughs. My darling Fleur. "You are back so early!"

"I.. well.." I shrug. I can't bear to see the look on her face when I tell her. "I lost.. my job, sweetheart." My head lowers in shame and I swallow thickly.

A cool hand touches the side of my face and I look up to see her blue eyes meet my brown ones. "I'm so sorry, my dear." She gives me another hug, this one more gentler than the previous one. "I actually have something to tell you.."

My head tilts in response and she guides me into the living room to show me a packed suitcase. "I'm leaving for my sisters in a few days. She needed someone because her and her husband are splitting up and I thought i'd be her shoulder to cry on.. I'm so sorry, my love but I was thinking of skipping this anniversary. Just for my sisters sake."

With a smile, I nod. The smile was there to feign the lump in my throat. "Thats okay." I croak out, giving her a kiss and wrapping my arms around her.

-

A few days pass and Fleur has left to her sisters further down south near Leeds. I'm left sat on the couch, staring at the job seekers letter, reading it over and over again.

Do I have to? I mean, Fleur works. She's an art teacher. I wouldn't mind being a male-wife. It suits me... I guess?

Thats when I remember that a little old lady who handed me a letter to that mate of hers, whatever her name was. I retrieve it from my satchel and inspect the front.

To Suzie,

     Glasgow, Scotland

From, Pauline x

Then, I get an idea.