Your Ex-Lover Is Dead

This was without a doubt the most awkward drive of his life.

After 30 years in the trade, there wasn't much that Terry hadn't seen before. But the atmosphere in his cab right now was toxic.

The couple had got in the car five minutes ago and barely acknowledged each other's existence in that time. Terry could tell there was a history there. Working in this business, you got a sixth sense about this kind of thing.

He'd seen all sorts over the years. On occasion he'd had to split rowing pairs up, fearing their arguments would boil over into violence. He'd seen famous businesswomen changing from their office clothes into something more suitable for the evening on the back seat. One time, he was sure a couple's passionate kissing had moved to another level. He tried not to look on those occasions, but he was only human. Another time, a drunken man had thrown up all over the back of his head. It took weeks to get the smell out of his hair.

The woman was touching her face self-consciously, trying to catch the eye of the man, who was doing his best to ignore her. In situations like this, Terry often found himself wondering about the lives of his passengers. Often, they wanted to talk and he got to hear all about them. For some reason, people saw taxi drivers as a cheap type of therapy. He didn't mind, but he usually preferred the silent types.

That way his mind could wander off and imagine what they got up to, what their job was, where they were going and who they were meeting.

Terry was sure this couple had not seen each other for a while and were probably hoping they never would again. He noted the body language: the man, dark and well-dressed, was curled up by the window. The blonde woman, wearing a sparkly top and jeans, was more open, legs pointing towards the man, chin pushed up, defiant.

But still they were silent. Terry thought he'd try the old trick of clearing his throat, asked to check the route. But he got only a gruff, one-word answer from the man. If anything, he'd made it worse.

This tale would be unresolved. Terry let them out at the station and took the man's money, straining to hear their goodbyes. But there was just a brush of a hug between the pair before they each walked off quickly.

Terry drove off to find his next passenger, and his next story.

This story was inspired by the song 'Your Ex-Lover Is Dead' by Stars.