The Lonely Penny Farthing Man

The man raised his hat and said "good morning”, he was riding a penny farthing bike and wore a deep blue suit with the collar turned up and a red rose in the button hole. His shoes were black and gold with a fluorescent shine the ties on them lighting up. No one knew why he wore them. His spectacles had miniature yellow windmills on and by pressing a button the small sails twirled around fanning him so he didn’t get too hot. I saw him and said “what’s your name?” “Oh, you talking to me? I’m Tony but for fun call myself Tony spelt Toe-knee”, I said “How odd. Why?” “Because of cramp in my toe and aches in my knees “
He also had a very red nose. do you drink?” I asked. only a little. he said. But he was really odd. In his bike’s carrier basket he had two Parakeets, blue and gold with black feathered wings. “Yes he does drink they squawked, “who are you going to meet to-day?”I asked. The Parakeets replied ”Toe-Knee” loves taking us for a ride.” they were clever birds. I asked Toe-Knee where he was from? the parakeets squawked that he would not like any one knowing that and normally doesn’t talk to anyone “Oh, if you must know I live not far away from here”, the housing agency had put him in that area. ‘Oh no’ I thought but you can’t judge a book by its cover.

“ One day” he said “if Im passing by again I will look out for you” I thought I hope not?. But before the week end I had to find out where he lived so I visited the next day, there was a rag and bone cart out-side the house, So I stood by the wall as the door opened, there were tin cans everywhere suddenly in between all the rubbish, a Persian cat loomed up his smokey blue fur faded He had found a half opened tin of sardines he was so weak and had one bent ear. I knocked and entered “Whoops, Oh!” he said “Why did you have to find out where I lived?”

”No one ever visits,” he said and ran back inside again quickly before I said I could help him, so I followed him indoors, He had left the T.V on, the open net curtains grey with grime “I don’t believe in mobile phones.” he said. so now you know now why I go out on my penny farthing bike and dress up as I do and take my Parakeets out. Who would want me as I really am?” he said.” just be yourself. ”I said “Also you must take some pride in yourself. Go and join a writing group. go to a library, get a good book, try a painting or drawing group. join a singing group.
You could get a hair cut. just be yourself, throw all your beer cans away that are tempting you .Get a spray for the room and brush your cat. try not to wear such outlandish clothes Still use your penny farthing bike. see a football match meet people, who knows what doors will open for you as our Priest would say , “Pick Yourself up Dust yourself down, and start all over again.” What? you go to Church?” Toe-Knee exclaimed. “Oh yes, many Prayers are answered at my Church ‘Come and See’ , one day. To-day is for living.” “Yes” the Parakeets repeated “you can change Toe-Knee”. So he did try most of these things and left his Parakeets in the cage before he left and locked the creaky door.
Months later he went for a walk through the park sat on the park bench and breathed in the fresh air. He had learnt to appreciate the beauty of clear blue sky and all the different colours of the flower beds that he had never noticed so long ago.
In the distance a lady was walking along in her Red Dress flounced to the ground, he thought I vaguely remember her she sat beside him,” I know you” Tony said They greeted each other with a hug and a kiss she was wearing a Red Heart necklace. that shone in the sun. he had almost forgotten he had given her one like it and remarked on how nice it looked on her. Angel said I wore it hoping I’d see you out in the park one day? then Angel put her white parasol over him to keep the glaring sun from their eyes to shield them from the sunbeams peeping through the trees.
“Before I go” Angel said “I have to tell you that while I was clearing up your house one day this faded curled up crumpled photograph fell out of your trousers it is a picture of my belated Mum showing the red dress and little red boots she always wore when she sang Abba’s ‘Super Trouper’ at the karaoke bar on Brighton Pier.”
This got Tony thinking……Could this be his long lost daughter ?
cavalcader julie
I thought this was pretty good
writing group, mind is emptied.
comments please.