"Being Frank" drabbles by Neville Hunt

Wild man

Being Frank #4

Francis loved animals.... pet, wild, human. He was pretty wild himself. Apparently he had a myna bird that he'd taught to speak. The vicar went round one day and leapt out of his dog collar when the bird said "My name's Fred, what's yours?" Francis giggled.

When I visited with my in-laws, I too got a shock when two puma cubs pounced on me playfully. Francis laughed.

His next African safari holiday would be alone. Wife Margaret drove him to the station, worrying that he would be lonely. But at the next stop, his girlfriend joined him. Francis pounced.

Two turkeys - and an extra bird

Being Frank #3

Before his heart attack, Francis had incredible stamina. Running two homes and two women meant two of everything. For most men, one is plenty enough.

When it came to Christmas, he threw a party for family and friends before turkey lunch with Margaret and the boys.

His 'second course' had to wait until he could get over to her. She cooked a turkey too and Francis threw a second party, before he claimed his desserts. Some guests went to both.

He told everyone he went to put flowers on his mother's grave on Christmas night. Now wasn't that sentimental? Aaah!

On the job

Being Frank #2

Margaret was scared of flying, so she wouldn't fly anywhere. Husband Francis liked holidaying anywhere that involved flying. This time it was a safari in Kenya. Or so he said. He flew, or rather sailed, very close to the wind.

The call from the hotel in Bristol was very discreet. Margaret was told that Francis had suffered a heart attack and that he was in Bristol Royal Infirmary. What she wasn't told was who caused the heart attack. By the time she got to Bristol, the 'cause' was on her way back east.

"I didn't know BA flew from Bristol."

In the no

Being Frank #1

Everyone knew, except Margaret. Francis was not only having an affair, but it was common knowledge. He kept another woman in an apartment in town. Many of her friends attended parties with both couples, separately. How strange Margaret never knew.

They loved each other, really loved each other... him too. To her closest friends she confided that she would walk out if she ever found out that he was being unfaithful. They were good friends; they didn't tell her.

Francis continued. A charming, successful man, he spread his charms. For Margaret, that situation was unthinkable, so she didn't think it.