Rose and Roger – Part 2

Rose was in slow domestic goddess mode, relaxing on her well-frequented deckchair. In the distance, she could faintly hear Roger whistling. Little did she know that life would never be the same after today.

“Rose, do you recall when you suggested I look at alternatives other than a Nude cruise?” Roger quietly exclaimed.

She quickly lifted her head, causing her to strain more than one muscle. Rose, of course, had been dosing while still holding onto her book. “Yes, I vaguely recall; surely you haven’t acted on it?” she says gruffily while trying to compose herself.

“Sort of”, Roger replies, intentionally not elaborating. Rose shuddered at the thought that he’d used his questionable judgment to book them a holiday.

“Well, I’ve made an appointment for us to meet Daisy today,” Roger said, grinning nervously.

Crikey thought Rose. Roger surely doesn’t want another feline to stumble over. Malinki would detest the idea of having company. Rose knows she’s going to regret her next question.

“What or whom, for goodness sake, is Daisy?” asks Rose, peeking over her oversized sunglasses towards Roger, who clearly had more information on his side than she.

“Get your coat on, love. Let’s head down the coast, and time will tell”.

Curiosity got the better of Rose; the housework can wait, she giggled. It was a lovely day, sunshine till sunset, a rare commodity here on the West Coast, and to be fair, she was a sucker for his flights of fancy as she slung her voluminous derriere onto the front seat.

It was a 45-minute drive down to Greymouth. After commenting on the weather and reminding Roger they could stop at the local nursery on the way home, he was being tight-lipped, similar to a duck’s butt, so their drive was relatively quiet.

They arrived early, parked on the roadside, and walked up a slope. Rose admired the gorgeous gardens while Roger strode onwards to stand, grinning next to a bright yellow combi van that stood as large as possible.

“Meet Daisy”, Roger excitedly states, tentatively glancing at Rose.

Well, you could’ve softly slapped Rose with a freshly caught West Coast cod, and she would’ve fallen over with her lipstick lips wide open, unlike her usual ladylike demeanour. What she muttered under her breath even startled Rose with its vulgar tone.

Rose glared at Roger, quickly calculating their retirement fund, then turned and smiled at the couple, striding towards them.

“Gidday, mate”, exclaimed Tim to Roger.

“Good Afternoon, Tim, how’s it going?” quickly followed by, “Tim and Lyn, meet my wife, Rose”, says Roger.

After a reasonable amount of polite small talk, the big moment arrived. Lyn gently guided Rose into Daisy, with the lads following behind.

Rose quickly opened the drawers, noted that the tiny interior was well equipped, and proceeded to the seating arrangement, which converted into a good-sized bed. She was warming to the idea. Perhaps Roger had stumbled across a fabulous way for them to spend their golden years?. 

“Well, she is lovely, and a cat door thrown in for Malinki,” whispered Rose. Roger was ecstatic to hear positive affirmations. She looked lovely and was dressed prettily in floral cloth; the van, not Rose.

While she was looking over the interior with Lyn, the lads had gone outside. They walked around the vehicle, discussing engine size, water tank capacity, the portable loo, and other essentials for going bush in comfort.

They had a moment to themselves with Daisy when Lyn offered to do refreshments.

Roger, grinning from ear to ear, said to Rose, “Imagine it. We will honour your Irish ancestors by roaming the land, no mod cons, just you and me stark naked, skinny dipping in cold water, and being one with nature hugging trees.” continuing like a ferret on a mission, “think calm thoughts for days on end”, “Simple BBQs no thought given on what to cook”, catching his breath, Roger continues “new chairs to relax in and read to our heart’s content”.

Rose stood and stared longer than required, totally off balance with the barrage of information, before replying. “Umm, but they went rogue, and no one saw them again”. Choosing not to refer to other details.

Unfortunately, Roger had forgotten that part of the story. “Oh well, we can change the narrative by creating our own,” states Roger, looking over to Rose, who’s smiling and shaking her head then replies, “Ok, love, whatever you say.”

With glee, Roger realised another bonus: few clothes could fit in the van. He didn’t finish elaborating after glancing towards Rose.

Holding hands, they went inside to chat with Lyn and Tim.

Had their concept of normality been severed, which they had clung to for dear life for so many years?

After some industrial strength, chin-scratching and fierce negotiating, a deal was struck. Daisy had acquired new owners. Though stunned by their rash decision, pleasurable thoughts were mounting.

Rose, in their yellow escort, left Roger, who drove Daisy to her new residence 45 minutes down the West Coast highway. As brave as Roger and Rose were that day, they clearly didn’t bank on buying a bright yellow kombi van; there was no room in their backyard. Roger would need to seriously clear old vehicles beside their garage. Just a minor detail: it wasn’t a huge obstacle, smiling to himself.

Once settled back at home with a cuppa and enough quiet time for that turn of the key to drive home a solid clunk of memories, Rose smiled and thought, of course, the tune was “Roll on Down the Highway” by Bachman–Turner Overdrive, that Roger was whistling this morning.

Looking out towards their garden, Rose spotted Roger, this time whistling exuberantly while strolling towards the backyard garage.

Suddenly, life seemed a truly fast ride, thought Rose.

To check out my first published story regarding the antics of Rose & Roger – Y3 Story Chat

Or Sunday Cruising Madness, after a few suggestions and comments from Y3 StoryChat readers.

Hugh’s View on Story Writing – https://hughsviewsandnews.com/category/short-stories/