The Westport Whisper #6

Your faithful correspondent returns — delightfully anonymous, as always

GRANDMA MABEL — THERE IS TALK OF A NEW BINGO HALL

It is early days, and this correspondent is careful not to report anything that has not been sufficiently verified. However. There is talk.

Mabel and her friend Eunice were overheard at the Café by the River on Tuesday morning in what could only be described as an animated discussion. The words “new hall,” “bigger prizes,” and “about time” were all audible to those at neighbouring tables. So was Eunice’s response, which this correspondent will not repeat in full, but which contained a strong opinion about the current state of St Pat’s and the woman named Gloria who sits in the third row.

Whether the new hall is real, rumoured, or simply wishful thinking on the part of two women who take their bingo very seriously, remains to be seen. What is certain is that Mabel went home with the look of a woman who has something to look forward to.

Westport will be watching.

* * *

LIZZIE & RILEY — THE NEW HOUSE HAS OPINIONS OF ITS OWN

Lizzie Fuller and Riley Thomas have purchased their second renovation property together, and Westport is watching with the kind of interest that has nothing to do with the house and everything to do with the two people standing in it.

The house in question is on the older end of old. Those who have driven past describe it as having significant character — which in Westport is a polite way of saying the front gate doesn’t open properly and something about the upstairs window gives you an odd feeling you can’t quite name. Lizzie, predictably, fell in love with it immediately. Riley took measurements.

What nobody anticipated was what they found on the first proper day of work this week. The details are not yet fully established, but it is understood that something was discovered behind the walls of the back bedroom that has given both of them pause. Riley, who is not easily rattled, was seen at the Café by the River on Thursday afternoon sitting very quietly with his coffee. Lizzie was beside him. Neither of them was talking.

Molly, when asked, said she didn’t know anything. Molly’s ears went slightly pink when she said it.

* * *

MOLLY & MATT — THE MATHEMATICS OF TWO

Molly Fuller is in her second trimester and is, by all visible evidence, thriving. She is also carrying twins, a fact that Matt has apparently not yet fully emotionally processed despite having had several weeks to do so.

He was spotted at the baby shop on Tuesday. He was there for forty-five minutes. He left with nothing. A sales assistant, who shall remain nameless, reported that he stood in front of the twin pram display for a very long time with the expression of a man doing sums he doesn’t like the answer to. He then asked how big a car you would need. He was told. He went quiet. He left.

Molly, meanwhile, has been seen measuring her apartment with a tape measure and a look on her face that suggests changes are coming whether the apartment is ready for them or not. Danny has already offered his opinion on the nursery colour scheme. His opinion was not requested. He gave it anyway, at length, with paint swatches.

The twins are, by all reliable accounts, doing beautifully. Their father is coping. Mostly.

* * *

CHLOE & THEO — THE MATTER OF THE PET SHOP WINDOW

Chloe McDermott stopped outside the pet shop on Price Lane on Friday morning. She stopped, sources confirm, for considerably longer than a person stops when they are simply passing by.

In the window — and this correspondent reports this with full awareness of the implications — there was a puppy.

Chloe has told Isaac she is just looking. Isaac has told Adam. Adam has told Isaac to stay out of it. Isaac has not stayed out of it.

Theo, who travelled the entire delivery run on Friday from the superior vantage point of his car seat, is understood to have no knowledge of the situation. He remains confident in his position as the uncontested centre of the household. He is also, for the record, still technically on a diet. He is not on a diet.

* * *

ADAM — A PURCHASE THAT RAISES QUESTIONS

Adam was seen in town on Thursday. This is not unusual. What was unusual was the shop he came out of, the size of the bag he was carrying, and the speed at which he put it in the car before anyone could get a proper look.

He was smiling. He was also checking his phone, which those nearby described as the behaviour of a man who is either expecting a message or hoping to avoid one. Given that Isaac was at the time engaged in a lengthy discussion with Chloe about the pet shop window situation, this correspondent suspects it was the former.

What was in the bag is not yet known. What is known is that Isaac came home that evening to find the house very clean, something that smelled wonderful coming from the kitchen, and Adam sitting on the couch looking almost insufferably pleased with himself.

Isaac has not told Chloe what it was. He will. He always does.

The Westport Whisper sees all, says most, and leaves just enough unsaid to keep you wondering.
Until next time — your faithful correspondent remains, as always, delightfully anonymous. 🕯️