Hedley’s mother had hairy legs.
That’s one reason you liked to

go over for tea some days. That
and the fact she wore the kind

of short dress no other women
you knew would wear at least

not in front of minors like yourself
and Hedley.  More tea? Cake?

she asked giving you the big smile
and oozing her perfume from her

nearby body. Yes more cake please
and are those salmon sandwiches?

Yes dear and there’s plenty more
if you want she replied. She poured tea

and brought more cake and sandwiches
and sat down opposite you and said

how’s your mother dear? Oh she’s ok
you said gazing dumbly at Hedley’s

mother and the way her hands moved
over the plates and held the teapot

with the red fingernails and the rings
on her fingers. Is your husband not here?

you asked. No he’s away business calls
and such like she said giving you the smile

and bright eyes. Oh good glad he’s got
plenty of work on you replied. Hedley ate

and drank and said little over tea. His
mother ate quite daintily her fingers

holding the cup with her little digit sticking
out as she drank. Ah she said suddenly

I forgot the jelly and ice-cream and off
she walked and you watched as she went.

Her hairy legs really grabbed your attention.
Mothers huh? Hedley said. Keeping face

against the odds. Father’s probably
******* his female clients or staying

over in cheap hotels with the red-light girls.
Oh right you said guess some father’s do.

Here’s the jelly and ice cream Hedley’s
mother said on her return hope you like it

she said I like it when it wobbles and the soft
taste on the tongue. Hedley said nothing and

nor did you. You were thinking of Hedley’s father
and those cheap hotels and the girls he’d *****.