Peter bought noise-cancelling headphones so he could write his novel in a busy cafe.
He missed the announcement that the car park was closing.
Getting his car out cost forty pounds.
Next morning, his friend asked whether he’d finally written something he was ready to send off….
Peter had been writing a crime novel for nine months. His friend, Ben, said that sounded impressive.
Peter said it would be more impressive when somebody committed a crime. So far, the detective had parked his car and bought a sandwich.
The problem was noise. At home, there was the washing machine. At the cafe, there were cups, conversations and a man who always wanted to discuss the crossword.
Peter bought large noise-cancelling headphones. He added a recording of gentle rain and chose a table beside the cafe window.
Ben wished him luck.
One chapter, Peter said. I’m not leaving until I’ve got something worth sending to an agent.
He parked behind the shops. The car park closed at half past five. The cafe stayed open until six.
Peter read the sign, checked his watch and decided that gave him plenty of time.
At two, he opened the novel.
At three, he changed the detective’s name.
At four, he changed it back.
Then he found a better word for sandwich. He decided the original word was fine and made tea part of the scene instead.
The headphones were excellent. Someone dropped a spoon behind him and he didn’t even turn round.
At five fifteen, the woman at the counter called out that the car park behind the shops would close in fifteen minutes.
Three people got up.
Peter added a description of rain to his novel. It was conveniently available in both ears.
At twenty to six, the woman came to collect his cup. She tapped his shoulder.
Peter took off the headphones.
We’re closing soon.
Already? I’ve hardly noticed the afternoon.
He sounded pleased about this until she asked where he’d parked.
The gate was shut. A sign displayed a phone number. Peter called it and paid forty pounds for someone to come back and let his car out.
He asked whether he could dispute the fee. The man on the phone said he could send a written appeal.
At home, Peter opened a new document.
For the first time that day, the words came quickly. By breakfast, he had three pages and a very firm ending.
Ben called to ask about the headphones.
Excellent, Peter said. Didn’t hear a thing.
And the writing? Have you finally got something ready to send off?
Peter attached the document to an email.
My parking appeal.
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