A New Marjorie

__THE NEW MARJORIE_
At 11 o'clock the pavilion bell rings and two batsmen and
assorted fielders take up their positions on the field. A tall
guy in grubby white flannels takes the ball preparing to bowl
as the heavens open.
George Wilkins is among the would-be spectators on the
boundary. He puts up his golfing umbrella preparing to wait
for the return of the sun. After half an hour he opens his
sandwich box and begins to eat. Another hour passes, the rain
is still pouring down and George is decidedly damp. His
sandwich box and his Thermos flask are empty. There is no sign
of the sun. To make matters worse his shoes leak and his feet
are wet. He folds his chair, hangs his bag on his shoulder and
still under his green and white brolly heads for the pavilion.
He inquires of an official about the weather forecast and
prospects for play. Not good. George decides to return home.
Marjorie will have forgiven him by now. She had a point; he
could have let her have the car for once and used the train,
but he'd probably have pneumonia by the time he reached home if
he had. As it was he'd be in the shower within twenty minutes.
Marjorie would understand and she might even be sympathetic.
George arrives home; there is no sign of Marjorie. She must
be out. He calls. There is no response. `She can't be out,
I've got the car. She ought to be home, it's lunch time.' He
sits waiting for Marjorie and for lunch but she doesn't come.
George resorts to bread and cheese, alone.
* * * *
Marjorie has gone to town, incensed by George's insistence
he had a right to the car. They had never disagreed over it
before he retired. She had it during the week if she wanted
it, he used it at weekends. She'd told him she'd been invited
to a school reunion ages ago, she'd written it on the calendar,
then he told her if she was going out he'd have the car for
cricket - he wouldn't give in. Well, she wouldn't be treated
like that, she'd have to teach him a lesson. If she couldn't
go to Dorset by car, she'd go to town by bus and indulge
herself.
She met Eva Jones on the bus. `My this is a surprise, we

cont./...

3. THE NEW MARJORIE
don't often see Marjorie Wilkins using public transport do we?'
`My husband has the car,' she said.
`'Ad a bit of a tiff, 'ave you? Never mind Luvvie buses is
all right when you gets used to 'em. Take my advice, get your
'air done, that'll make you feel a whole lot better.'
Perhaps that was what Marjorie needed. `I was thinking of
having a new style,' she said, `Can you recommend a salon Eva?'
`I expect my lady could fit you in. Come with me and I'll
put in a good word for you. Hop off the bus at the next stop
and we'll slip through the market, it's quicker.'
Marjorie was asked to wait a few minutes until someone was
free to wash her hair. `Just a wash and set is it?' asked a
girl carrying a pile of peuce towels. Marjorie thought
quickly. She'd been reading the tariff on the wall. `I was
hoping you'd be able to give me the works,' she said. `Is it
possible?'
The girl went to fetch the manageress. `Darlene will be
right with you Madam.' It seemed she had said the right thing,
the top lady was coming.
`Can I help you Madam?' Darlene was flashy and about forty.
`I thought I'd give myself a treat. I'm feeling a bit down
and I'd like the full treatment, from the feet up please,' she
thought a moment, `Or from the head down, which ever you
prefer.'
`Very good Madam. Pedicure, full leg waxing, body wax,' she

cont./...

4. THE NEW MARJORIE
paused, `Only if necessary of course; manicure, massage,
removal of unsightly facial hair, a full facial including
tinting eyebrows and lashes; now what about your coiffeur?'
`I'd like the style changed, something simple...'
`Would Madam like highlights, streaks, tinting or a full
colour treatment?'
Marjorie contemplated her face in the mirror. `If your face
had been neglected for as long as mine, what would you do?'
`If the treatment is for a special occasion Madam you might
take into consideration the colour of your gown?'
`There is no special occasion. I plan to shock my husband
into submission, that's all.' Marjorie smiled at Darlene's
reflection in the mirror. `I'll leave it in your capable
hands shall I?' she said, `I'm sure you'll think of something.'
`I'd like Madam to be satisfied with her new image. Now
shall we get started on your feet? Trixie's waiting in cubicle
five.'
Marjorie felt wonderful when Trixie exfoliated and massaged
her feet, trimmed and polished her toenails. `If every bit of
me feels like my feet, I shall be a new woman,' she said.
`Don't they look pretty?' Hands were next. The same soft shade
of coral gave her fingernails a delicate look. Her pale skin
was silky and supple. She was elated.
Warm wax on her legs and under her arms was not soporific
like the facial massage, and the mask. When Lisa gave her a

cont./...

5. THE NEW MARJORIE
body massage after the sauna and the cold dip she was
exhilarated chatting excitedly to Darlene as they went into her
private studio to work on her hair.
`I feel a million dollars already,' she told her. `I'd
quite forgotten what it's like to be pampered.'
`I think dusky brunette with soft peach lights will suit
Madam, but I'm not certain about style. Something simple, you
said; I'd like to give you a bit of height, like so.' She
gathered Marjorie's hair up in her hands arranging it in curls
around her fingers on the top of her head. `What do you think?'
`I think he'll wonder what's hit him.'
`Oh, Madam,' Darlene tittered, `I hope you won't do that.'
They laughed but agreed a petite fringe and Madam would be
the toast of the town. `He won't come hammering on my door
asking me to give him back his wife will he?'
`He'd better not! This is my treat in place of the
reunion.' Marjorie sighed. `No Darlene, I doubt if he'll even
notice the change.'
`Someone will notice you're looking beautiful, if he
doesn't,' Darlene assured her, `Then you'll have his attention.
There's nothing like competition to make a man want to keep
what's his.'
She could have kissed Darlene when finally she looked in the
mirror at the new Marjorie. `Bless you,' she said, `I feel
years younger and I haven't finished yet.'

cont./...

6. THE NEW MARJORIE
Throughout the day Marjorie ignored her naturally frugal
tendencies. She'd never enjoyed herself so much and when she
wrote cheques or handed over her credit card, she did so with a
flourish and walked into the street with a new found
confidence.
She took a light lunch at the Swan Hotel and gave the wine
waiter a substantial tip. Her next port of call was a fashion
house where she had often window-shopped but never ventured
inside. Her new poise as she entered the shop brought
assistants running from every quarter.
A charming young lady helped Marjorie select two rather
expensive outfits. Madam will take them with her, she
announced and another lady appeared to do the packing.
She felt so different. She was carrying herself well, the
new hair style gave her elegance. People were looking at her.
With a new pair of shoes or two the new image would be
complete.
`Leather, of course,' she told the shop assistant. `I
believe if your feet are comfortable you can be comfortable
with your whole personality.' She bought two pairs of toeless
shoes, identical but in two shades to match her new outfits.
`If you can find me a suitable pair of walking shoes, I'll be
happy to have those too.'
Marjorie stepped out of the shop, weighed down with parcels
but with a light step. Spending money became easier all the

cont./...

7. THE NEW MARJORIE
time. She hadn't once thought about the car or George or their
squabble, she'd been having such fun. Without more ado she
bought two new handbags and gloves to match her newly
purchased shoes. The journey home was about ten miles;
unhesitatingly she hailed a taxi.
George saw her paying the taxi man and went to help with the
packages.
`You're home early,' Marjorie said.
`It was rained off,' he grumbled.
`You should have been with me, the sun shone all day,' she
teased. `I had a wonderful time, and I didn't have to park the
car what's more.'
`Where have you been? I was worried about you,' he stopped.
`Hey, you look different; what have you done to yourself?'
`I am different George; don't you like the new me?' George
considered for a minute studying Marjorie from the top of her
curly head to her soft-coral toenails.
`At the minute I do,' he said, `But I think I might change
my mind when I know how much it's cost me.'
`Well at least you noticed.' Marjorie saw he was smiling.
`Give us a kiss Marjie.'
`Careful not to spoil my new make up,' she said pursing her
lips.