Love in the time of Couriers

Gold cherry

By GlosKat

Sat, 15 Aug 2026
  • 968 reads
23 comments
 

So here I am

Staring down a slope which has considerably shortened.

 

I don't know

What's at the end of it.  Nobody does, really.

 

Am I happy ?

Content, definitely.  A cottage, a cat, a garden.

 

Then suddenly

Someone shoves a parcel in my hands.

 

Hey stop ! I shout

I didn't order this !  But he's gone.

 

I turn the parcel over.

Yep, it says my name. I'm suddenly scared.

 

It's been a long time

Since I opened a parcel.  My hands shake.

 

I pull off the paper

And there to my complete surprise is – you.

 

A little bald (sorry !)

A little overweight.  A little wrinkly.

 

But your eyes are kind.

They twinkle with humour and intelligence.

 

Instructions in the parcel.

You like books, and films, and animals.

 

I look down the road

No Courier in sight. I can't send you back.

 

Oh WTF

At my age what have I got to lose ?

 

Come on, girl

What have you got to lose ? 

 

Certificate 15
Poem
Other Fiction

Comments

Submitted by GlosKat on

I've been single for a very long time now.  As the poem (is it a poem ?) says, I'm quite content.  I've had a few offers but nothing tempted me away from my comfortable, independent life.

But I do wonder sometimes – say I suddenly met someone who was just right for me.  Somebody I found really attractive, in every sense of the word. Somebody who felt the same about me.  How would I feel ? Scared, certainly.  Terrified, probably.

Would I go for one last hurrah !  Or would I pass ?  I honestly don't know.

What I do know though, is that as I'm getting older, I do think more and more 'Oh what have I got to lose ?'  It's quite liberating really.

(Parcel pic is free to use from www.freeimages.co.uk)

 

Submitted by Turlough on

I know exactly what you mean Kat. I was on my own for years and deliriously happy. Then I met this French woman in a Bulgarian bar. She had been on her own for years and was deliriously happy. So we got on well together and suddenly we weren’t on our own. It was a big gamble for both of us, and there have been times when it hasn’t been perfect, but it’s worked out extremely well. After seven years together I can definitely say that the gamble was one well worth taking.

But no one can tell until it happens. And I wish you good luck if it does happen. But enjoy yourself if it doesn’t.

Turlough

Submitted by GlosKat on

Turlough, you and Madame P are quite an inspiration. 

I kind of live in dread of falling for someone, and commensense going out the window along with my knickers and my money.  I honestly don't know what I'd do. But I had fun imagining it.

Thank you for reading !

 

Submitted by Turlough on

Keep your hand on your ha'penny! That's what the wise old ones say to the lovestruck young.

Turlough

Submitted by GlosKat on

Good advice to the lovestruck old too !  I've worked hard all my life, paid off my mortgage and have savings.  I'm concious I have no children to support me, so my own money is going to have to fund my old age.  I knew it sounds extremely unromantic but I do want to hang on to that.  

 

Submitted by Turlough on

I think anyone of our generation with half a brain would keep their finances separate, just in case. It's still possible to have a friendship or relationship without dipping into each other's property and cash. Both should recognise the need to retain a little independence for security's sake. Not being completely full-on members of each other's families is also important. That's what Madame P and I do. 

Turlough

Submitted by insertponceyfre... on

I've had a hunt through our archives for this story, Gloskat, which I think you'll enjoy reading - it's brilliant and very very funny:

https://www.abctales.com/story/jane-hyphen/parcel-you

 

Submitted by GlosKat on

I honestly hadn't read that !  It's very funny and clever, like everything Jane writes.

Have you watched that Ann Droid series on tv ?  That's hilariously funny too, but tackles series issues like bereavement and loneliness and ageing.  I loved it.

And thank you for the cherries.  I'm hoping someone has got the reference in the title to the book I was thinking of.

 

 

Submitted by insertponceyfre... on

It goes on for something like 60 parts - do read the rest as it gets even funnier. She really should be submitting it somewhere

I don't watch live tv but i'ver heard the trailers on the radio - it sounds great!

 

Submitted by GlosKat on

I don't watch live tv either, but I watched it on iplayer

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/m002xhy2/ann-droid

 

Submitted by Mark Say on

 

 

Submitted by GlosKat on

Thank you Mark !  If that parcel turns up then I will take your advice and open it ..

 

Submitted by rjnewlyn on

This is our Facebook/Meta and Twitter/X Pick of the Day! Please share/re-post if you like it.

 

Submitted by GlosKat on

Thank you very much !

Did anyone spot that the title is a play on Love in the Time of Cholera ? (a love story between two older people) .  I thought maybe it was a bit obscure ...

 

Submitted by celticman on

ah, love indeed, in a time of drought. 

 

Submitted by GlosKat on

Well you never know.  Thanks for reading Jack !

 

Submitted by airyfairy on

The title did make me chuckle, Kat. I've been on my own for quite a while too, apart from the odd brief encounter, and long ago decided that it was by far the best path for me. Apart from anything else, I haven't got the time or energy to deal with all the baggage that anyone my age would bring with them. I have to say though, these days even a brief encounter has to be something really extraordinary, and genuinely brief, for me to work up any enthusiasm. Or anything else.

I couldn't be doing with any online stuff, but I have sometimes thought of putting an small ad somewhere like Private Eye along the lines of 'Old, fat, grumpy woman seeks bloke looking for a challenge. Looks not important but send a photograph first. Cookery and housekeeping skills preferred.'

Submitted by GlosKat on

I like that advert Jane, but I would have to add 'left of centre politics and loves animals'.  I would be horrified to go out on a date with someone only to find out he's a MAGA fan, or hates cats. Of course, I dare say he would be horrified to find out I vote Labour and love all animals.

There's always The Oldie if you don't have any luck with Private Eye. I had a rush of blood to the head after getting Pick of the Day and sent my poem (?) off to them.  

Thanks for reading !

 

 

Submitted by Turlough on

In the lonely hearts bit of the Bristol local What's On guide I once saw a line from a woman that just said 'Drinks beer and tea in pints. Seeks similar.'

For me, that says everything. I hope she found happiness. 

Turlough

Submitted by GlosKat on

Sounds like Sean Bean would be her ideal man.  Mind you, she'd have to get in the queue ..

 

Submitted by Turlough on

But Sean Bean's a Sheffield United fan. I got the impression she'd have better taste than that. 

Turlough

Submitted by Frances Macaula... on

My question is, who?  How did he know your name & address, GlosKat?  If he's from your past, why not explore the possibilities.  I did - someone I loved when young, turned up in my life 28 years later and although I was terrified - had decided I'd had my chance at love, he convinced me.  We've been married now for 23 years and they have flown.  Don't waste time, explore - you jest never know.  I say, go for it!

Soundcloud:  https://soundcloud.com/search?q=FrancesMF

Submitted by GlosKat on

Hi Frances I might well go for it if it really happened.  I just don't know. I've always been a bit of a loner, even in relationships. And I have been very content for many years being single. Some (many?) people aren't cut out to be half a couple, not all the time anyway. 

The poem is fiction, an allegory.  It's just me imagining what I might do in a hypothetical situation. 

Thank you for reading.