Changing Rooms

A short story by Bronwen Griffiths

I’ve got my red dress that I wore to the ground.

The only time girls wear long dresses is when they’re passing out in college.

It’s a shame not to wear it but I want something new.

You dress up as posh as you want to.

I can’t find anything, I’m too fat.

Us women.

What about this?

Bollywood all over. You’ll look good in that.

It’s all sequins.

Pop in and try it.

You are coming to Sharon’s hen do, aren’t you?

That will be a scream.

The bloke she’s with, Gary. He’s six foot three. What do you think?

I haven’t met him.

Help me with the zip will you…so, what do you think?

It looks good, it does. Suits you.

Think so?

What’s Sharon wearing?

You know Sharon, something tarty. She makes me die, she does. She phoned the other day and said I’m having me vodka and tonic and I said to her, what at three in the afternoon?

She likes her drink, does our Sharon.

Are you sure, Babs? ‘Bout the dress?

I’m sure.

Six foot three. That’s tall, ennit?

Yeah, it’s tall.

I wish my eyelashes would grow.

They haven’t stopped growing, have they?

People used to remark on them when I was young. The last two years they’ve got really short.

You always use nice mascara though, don’t you?

Gary’s got long eyelashes.

Six foot three are they?

Ha, ha.

 

Bronwen Griffiths, who has lived in Hastings for 11 years, is a writer with several short stories published. She has taught creative writing at Hastings College and worked in museums. Changing Rooms is partly based on a conversation she once overheard on a train between Hastings and Bexhill.

 

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