Matching

Jackie sat at the window of the 21 bus, steadying herself slightly as it lurched round the corner into Richmond Road. Hamlet looked up worriedly and stretched his tongue to lick her face, the bow in his topknot seeming to quiver with concern for her wellbeing.

Jackie had dressed herself and Hamlet with special care today. It was important to make an excellent impression on a first meeting (Jackie avoided using the word “date” for a number of reasons.) From his profile, it seemed that John not only loved animals, but also attached great importance to the neatness and look of things. He called it “aesthetics”, and Jackie had to look it up to be sure of what he meant. She hoped very much that the matching red sweater (hers) and ribbon (Hamlet’s) would meet with his (John’s) approval.

Her stop would be the next one. Jackie patted her already immaculate hair and then adjusted Hamlet’s ribbon slightly so that it sat perfectly straight. She stood up, balancing her handbag so that Hamlet wouldn’t be alarmed and start to protest. She hoped very much that John’s professed love of animals would include her adored, if highly-strung, Pekingese.