The lonely tinker sat at his desk by the window, looking out to the dark, smog filled street. The quiet click of gears turning slowly marked the passing time. He watched the people outside moving along, dark greys and quiet whites melting into a sad tumult. Then, the regular flash of color. A smile spread across his face, watching her make her way through the crowd.
Today she wore a brilliant emerald green dress embellished with tasteful black lace, black gloves and parasol to match. She stuck out like a sore thumb among the boring crowd, turning heads as she walked past. The tinker adjusted a spring, thoroughly distracted by her.
A loud bell rang as the door opened, tearing the tinker away. A father and son had made their way into his shop, the boy’s eyes wide with delight as he gaped at the sparkling toys filling the shop.
“Hello and good morning!” the tinker exclaimed, standing and hurriedly running his fingers through his hair.
“Good morning” the man replied, smiling and wedging his top hat under his arm. His son ogled the toys, gingerly touching their delicate looking gears and wires.
The tinker smiled and walked closer, squatting next to the boy and pointing to the small metal dragon he was staring at. “Do you like him?” the tinker asked, picking it up and handing it to the boy.
The boy took it, nodding shyly.
“Watch this!” the tinker said with a grin, gently petting the dragon’s back. There was a small click as a switch caught, and the dragon moved its head about.
The boy gasped.
“And..” the tinker said, pulling the dragon’s tail. The dragon flapped its wings slowly.
“Father, may I have this one?” the boy asked, looking up him.
His father nodded and looked at the tinker.
“That will be five gold” the tinker said, standing.
The man nodded, reaching into his coat and pulling out the money. The Tinker took it, looking up as the door opened and the bell rung.
The same young woman stood in the doorway, gently adjusting her bonnet. She was even more beautiful up close, no longer just a joyful splash of color. She smiled and nodded to the passing man and his son, making her way into the store.
“G-Good morning” the tinker said, laughing nervously.
“Good morning!” she replied cheerfully, her smile seeming to light up the dusty shop. She looked carefully at the odds, ends, and trinkets laid around the shop.
“What are you looking for?” the tinker asked, fidgeting with his fingers.
“Well, do you have any hat pins? My aunt’s birthday is approaching. Any pretty trinkets, really” she said, moving closer.
The tinker backed up and turned, walking over to the display case near his desk. “I have some things she may like…” he said, gesturing.
The woman followed, looking in at the assortment of hat pins, brooches, and rings. She studied them,then pointed to a bright sparkling brooch. “I think she would like that one” she said as the tinker pulled it out.
“It is a very pretty one.” the tinker said, smiling and handing it to her so she could look at it closely.
The bell rang, the door opened again, and a gentleman stepped in. “There you are, Miss Smyth!” he exclaimed, hurriedly walking to her side while removing his hat.
“Oh, Mr Barrett... I did wander off, didn’t I. I apologize…” the woman sighed, inspecting the brooch in her hand.
“Yes, you did. But did you find what you were looking for?” the man asked, looking very displeased.
“Yes, I did.” the woman replied, carefully setting the broch down and opening her purse.
The tinker smiled awkwardly at the man, fidgeting with the edge of the counter. The man glared back.
“How much, sir?” the woman asked.
“Twenty gold, miss” the tinker replied, smiling. She smiled back and pulled the gold out, slowly setting it in front of him. The tinker watched and counted, slowly calming.
“Twenty gold” the woman affirmed, reaching to take the broach.
“Uh, here...Let me wrap it!” the tinker said, quickly reaching out and taking it.
Their hands brushed ever so slightly.
The tinker quickly turned to his desk, hiding his red face. Her hand was so soft. He wrapped it in delicate paper and turned back to them.
“Thank you…” he said, handing it to her.
She smiled and nodded, tucking the broach securely in her purse. Her gentleman friend offered his arm to her, and she took it reluctantly. She paused, turning back. She moved back to the counter and pointed to a sparkling necklace. “Would you save that for me? I will come back.” she said, smiling at the tinker.
The tinker nodded quickly, and replied “Of course. I will make sure no one buys it.We…” he paused and patted the necklace “ Will both wait for you.”
She smiled and walked out, her dress swinging elegantly as she left.
The tinker smiled after her, sighing once the door swung closed. She was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen, so elegant and bright. The splash of color that had always passed his window was much better up close. He sat back at his desk and mended a little clockwork cat that had been dropped.
Eagerly awaiting the woman’s return, the tinker continued with his routine. His clocks woke him in the morning with a loud rude chorus, then he stumbled down to the shop. After a good sweeping, the windows would be thrown open and the door unlocked. A small but steady stream of customers would take up his time, while he repaired and made things between their visits.
Every time the door opened and the bell rang, he would look up, excited and hoping beyond hope it was his beautiful Splash of Color with a luminescent smile.
As the days passed, his head became slower to turn, and his heart a little less happy.
The door opened again, the bell rang, and he didn't look up.
“Hello Mr. Tinker!” a bright and familiar voice exclaimed “I hope you haven’t forgotten me…”
The tinker’s head swung towards her, a grin spreading across his face. His Splash of Color stood by the display case, her blue dress just as bright as her smile.
“No, I haven't forgotten…” the tinker said, quickly sliding the drawer of his desk open. He pulled the necklace from the drawer, moving to her side.
She sighed happily and took it, smiling at him. “How much?” she asked, placing her purse on the counter.
“Uh...Ten gold” the tinker said with a smile.
She took ten gold out, handing it to him. He took it and slipped it in his pocket, trying not to stare at her.
“Your shop is very nice…” she remarked, looking around.
“Thank you!” the tinker replied, looking around with pride “My father founded it, and now it is mine to keep”.
“Amazing…” she said with a smile, looking back at him.
He looked at her, and the silence became a bit awkward.
“Um…” she said, fiddling with her parasol.
He smiled awkwardly and looked down, trying not to blush.
“These...These earings, I will come back for them. . . if you save them?” she said, smiling hopefully.
“Of course!” he replied, looking shyly at her.
“Well..Uh..Goodbye” she said, slowly backing out.
He nodded and watched her go. He would wait forever if he had to! The tinker reluctantly went back to his desk, staring at a clock that needed fixing.
The days passed, slowly and painfully. He wondered what on earth she was doing. Why she couldn't come. The door opened and the bell rang. He looked up eagerly, but was quickly disappointed.
A tall gentleman walked in, a dark mop of hair curling over his eyes. The tinker helped him reluctantly with a gift for the woman he was courting.
The door opened, and the bell rang. Again he was disappointed. A mother and a gaggle of children stormed the shop, demanding toys of the highest quality. The tinker sighed and began his closing ritual, as it was almost past the time respectable shoppers were out.
The door opened while he was sweeping, the bell rang as he looked up.
His Splash of Color walked in, her pink dress and smile lighting up the room. “Hello!” she exclaimed, walking forward “I hope you did not forget me…”.
The tinker grinned and stood, grabbing the earrings from his pocket. “No, I did not forget…” he said.
“Oh good! How much?” she asked, standing very close to him.
“Uh..Five gold” the tinker nodded.
She reached into her purse and handed him five gold. Their hands lingered together for a long moment, looking into each other's eyes.
She blushed and looked down, giggling. He nervously ran his fingers through his hair, looking to the side. They lingered a moment longer, both a bundle of nerves, both unsure what to do.
“Thank you…” she said, smiling at him.
“You are welcome…” he replied, grinning.
“Uh...My name is Lucinda Smyth” she said, extending her hand to shake.
“My name is Nemo Flint” the tinker said, shaking her hand awkwardly.
She giggled, and blushed slightly. “Well Mr. Flint, I...I quite enjoy your company” she said.
“And I enjoy yours…” the tinker said with a hopeful smile.
“I...Well, I am having a garden social tomorrow afternoon, would you like to come?” she asked.
The tinker was not quite sure if that was socially acceptable, but he was not about to argue. “I would love to!” he said, trying no to sound overly excited, although he was.
She giggled and nodded, taking a calling card from her purse. “Then see you tomorrow” she said, backing away slowly.
“Yes…” the tinker said, holding the card tightly.
She smiled and turned, quietly leaving.
The tinker was not so lonely anymore.
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