The Last Cup of Tea

At 4:17 Mara Bell is washing her cousin's cup when the constable telephones to say there has been a collision on North Quarry Road.

One Last Time

At 4:17 on a wet Thursday afternoon, the telephone rang in the empty house.

Mara Bell was standing in the kitchen, washing a cup her cousin had used less than an hour before.

She remembered the time because the small clock above the sink had stopped at 4:17. Its second hand trembled between two marks as if trying to push forward but lacked the strength.

The telephone rang again.

It was an old cream-colored phone fixed to the wall beside the pantry door. Mara wiped her hands on her skirt and lifted the receiver.

“Hello?”

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Quick answers about The Last Cup of Tea

What is The Last Cup of Tea about?

At 4:17 Mara Bell is washing her cousin's cup when the constable telephones to say there has been a collision on North Quarry Road.

Is The Last Cup of Tea free to read?

Yes. Every story on RapidTale is free to read in the browser, with no sign-up and nothing to install.

How long does it take to read?

This story runs 1 chapter — most readers finish in one sitting, and you can stop and return to any chapter using the contents list.

Who wrote it?

Nimra Khan — original fiction published on RapidTale.