A light hearted story of love, loss and transition to new love.
For reasons known only to science, there are men who believe they can’t live without a woman in their lives. Dave Chambers is one of them. Unfortunately for Dave, the woman in his life dies on him.
The New Girlfriend is Dave’s story of how he copes with that unexpected and poorly timed death, and meets ‘the new girlfriend’.
As any man can tell you, finding a new girlfriend is not as easy as it sounds when his friends, usually in a pub somewhere, are encouraging him to get out and meet someone new.
Like most love stories, Dave’s experience of ‘the new girlfriend’ is not all smooth sailing. It has some heartache, some funny moments, and a promising ending.
If you enjoy a light hearted look at life, even at some of its darker moments, you’ll enjoy The New Girlfriend.
Excerpt
My new neighbour is watering some pot plants in her front garden when I get home. I like what I see, so I go over and introduce myself.
‘Hi, I’m Dave. I live next door.’ I point to my house. ‘Saw you moving in earlier.’
‘Oh, hello, Dave.’ She shakes my hand. ‘Carol. Have you been here long?’
She has a nice smile. I guess she’s about my age. There is some grey in that dark head of hair. ‘No. I moved in at the start of October but I’ve been overseas, visiting my son. Only got back the other day.’
‘So, you’re probably not the right person to ask about shopping in the neighbourhood.’
‘The only things I’ve bought locally are the house and the car I’ve just ordered. Guess I’ll start looking for shops when the food in my fridge runs out.’
She smiles and cocks an eyebrow.
‘My mother in-law stocked it while I was away.’
‘Nice to have someone do that for you. I need to buy something for tonight.’
I wonder where she’s come from if she didn’t bring any food with her. ‘You could always nip down to Glenelg. There’s a Woolies on the corner of Brighton and Jetty Roads.’
‘Thanks. I’ll do that.’
I decide it’s probably time to go. I don’t want to come over as the nosy guy from next door. ‘Well, welcome to the neighbourhood, Carol. I’ll leave you to it.’
‘Thanks for saying hello, Dave.’
I go home thinking that she has a friendly smile, and wondering what really made me go over and say hello. It’s not something I’d usually do. I’d usually wait for the new neighbour to make a move.
There’s the faint sound of laughter when I open my front door.
