Mrs Wilson

Starsky arrived at Hutch's place just in time to see him coming out of the apartment door carrying a bunch of flowers. He was wearing his best beige pants and a smart white shirt.

"Hey! Where are you going looking so fancy?"

Hutch grimaced at him. "You're early."

"Yeah, sorry about that. Didn't know you were trying to fit in a date before we went to the movies! Who's the girl?"

"My neighbour, Mrs Wilson, and she's not a girl. She's a lady."

"Well, excuse me!"

"No, I mean she's an elderly lady. You know the one I sometimes help with her gardening. She's had a fall and isn't able to get out at the moment. I just thought I'd pop over and check she's okay."

"Oh."

Hutch went to cross the street and Starsky started following him.

"What are you doing?"

"Coming with ya. I bet she's bored out of her skull. I'll help you cheer her up."

"Oh...okay."

They crossed over and walked up to the front door. Hutch unlocked the door with a key, opened it and then called out, "Mrs Wilson, it's me, Ken Hutchinson. All right if I come in?"

A thin voice answered, "Oh yes, of course. Do come in, Ken."

Hutch led the way through to the bedroom at the back of the property. As he walked in, he said, "I hope you don't mind, I brought my partner with me for a visit."

Mrs Wilson sat up a little straighter and rearranged her cardigan.

"Goodness! I wasn't expecting male company."

Starsky quickly hid a grin at Hutch's expression and moved forward to take Mrs Wilson's hand. He kissed it gently and introduced himself, "Dave Starsky, ma'am, at your service."

Mrs Wilson tittered. "Well, thank you, young man, lovely to meet you...although I feel I know you already. Ken has told me a lot about you."

Starsky sat on the end of the bed and said, jokingly, "You don't want to believe anything my partner says. Lies, all lies!"

Mrs Wilson smiled. "Oh I assure you he's told me only good things."

Starsky grinned. "Well, that's nice to hear."

Hutch moved closer and offered the flowers to the delighted elderly woman. She put them close to her face and sniffed them. "Beautiful. Thank you, Ken. How kind of you. Nobody's brought me flowers since my Edgar passed...Could you be a dear and put them in water for me? There's a large yellow vase in the kitchen under the sink."

"Of course."

Hutch hurried away to perform his task, leaving Starsky to chat to Mrs Wilson. When he came back, he found they were both talking away and laughing.

"Hey Hutch, Mrs Wilson here spent a few years in Brooklyn. She knows all my old haunts."

"I didn't know that. What a small world."

"Dave tells me you're off to see a movie this evening," Mrs Wilson said. "I'd better let you both go. You don't want to be late."

Starsky looked at his watch. "Nah, we've got plenty of time. Do you play cards, Mrs Wilson? Fancy a round or two before we go?"

Mrs Wilson clapped her hands with enthusiasm. "Oh I haven't played cards for ages. That would be lovely. There's a pack in the living room."

Hutch got the cards while Starsky manoeuvred a small table and a chair near the bed.

Soon a competitive game of rummy was being played and the ebb and flow of the turns kept everyone's attention. So much so that the two partners forgot about the movie.

An hour later, Mrs Wilson spoke with concern, "Oh dear, I think I've made you miss your movie!"

Hutch shrugged. "Don't you worry. It's been fun spending time with you."

Starsky nodded. "Yeah, we can go next week. Maybe when you're feeling better, we could take you to a movie of your choice? What kind of thing do you like?"

"Oh I like most things...although I do have a special love for monster movies. That probably sounds weird but-"

"-Not at all!" Starsky interrupted. "Just shows you're a woman with excellent taste!"

Hutch rolled his eyes at his partner as he packed the cards away.

"Well, we'd better let you get some rest," he said. "I'll pop by in the week and see if you need anything."

He gave Mrs Wilson a kiss on the cheek as he took his leave.

She patted his arm and said, "Thank you. Thank you for the lovely flowers. You are too good to me."

Starsky put the table and chair away and then kissed the lady's hand.

"Bye, Mrs W. See ya soon."

"Goodbye my dear. Thanks for letting me win at cards."

Starsky grinned and followed Hutch out of the house. They closed the door behind them and headed over to Hutch's place.

As Hutch handed him a beer, Starsky couldn't help teasing his partner, "You don't count as male company. I think that tells ya something about who's the most handsome out of the two of us!"

"All that tells me is that Mrs Wilson considers me a friend!"

"Yeah, yeah. Admit it, partner, I am just able to turn more heads than you."

"Yeah, you're right...and your sure-fire demographic is elderly ladies!"