The Check Up

Suzzanne pulled into the parking space and stopped the car, she checked the clock, it was 5, 40 pm, five minutes before her appointment.  As always Suzzanne had left booking her dental check up until the last minute and she had been pleased when the receptionist said she had the last appointment of the afternoon left.  She would have her check up and then home and finish that bottle of wine! Putting her handbag into the boot Suzzanne pressed the key fob twice and the indicators flashed twice and there was an audible clunk as the car locked, she turned and walked across the car park to wards the brightly lit back door to the dental surgery.  As she walked she looked up, the sky was clear and darkening, a few stars were appearing and there was a definite chill in the air. Cars passed the entrance to the car park but hers was the only car visible and there was no one about.  Opening the heavy door she was met by a wall of warm air and she squinted as the bright light hit her eyes.  Suzzanne crossed the waiting room to the reception desk, behind the desk sat a young woman, filing her well manicured nails, and she looked up at Suzzanne and continued to chew her gum. “Hi, Miss Midsummer, I’m here for my quarter to five appointment”.  The woman looked down and tapped on her keyboard, after a few seconds, she answered, “yes I’ve got you here, last appointment today, take a seat please”.  Suzzanne turned, the waiting room was empty, and she walked towards the seat [...]