Jay Mandal, novelist and short-story writer brings us another short-short. Jay Mandal is from Southern England. After grammar school, he joined a City bank and worked in Europe. He’s written eighty short stories, fifty of which have been published, and two novels. ‘Slubberdegullion’ and ‘A Different Kind of Love’ are collections of short works, while ‘The Dandelion Clock’ is a novel. Speakout magazine have published at least one Mandal story in each issue, and his short stories have been featured in popular publications such as Passport and Lookout.  Jay’s latest collection, The Loss of Innocence, is available from BeWrite Books and from the usual outlets

Double Entendre by Jay Mandal Word Count: 216 “I came about the ad in the paper.” ‘Gay guy WLTM similar …’ “Come in,” Andrew said. The man hesitated in the lounge doorway. “You think it’s OTT?” Andrew said dispiritedly, indicating the low lights and the table decorated with shining silver and glassware and red candles. Soft music played in the background. Perhaps he shouldn’t have splashed out, at least not until he’d sold his car.  “No, it’s very nice,” the man assured him. Andrew sighed. “I wanted it to be relaxing. Instead it looks like a brothel. I’ve never done this sort of thing before.”  “Anyone can see you’ve tried your best. What are you cooking?” Andrew smiled. At least that was one thing he was good at. “Coq au vin.” He hadn’t noticed the double entendre before.  “My favourite.” Andrew swallowed. What had he got himself into? “I suppose we could have a drink first,” he babbled. “Is wine OK?”  “I’d better not – I’m driving. Unless …” Oh, hell, he wanted to stay the night.  “… you’ve got alcohol-free.”  “Sorry.”  “Never mind. Let’s get down to business, shall we?” “What about the coq au vin?” Andrew squeaked.  “This’ll only take a minute.” So much for the noble art of seduction. The man opened the newspaper and read out loud: “‘Ford Fiesta, 1994 …’” The End

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