In which Norman Clegg, trapped in Wesley's new explosion-proof shed with Marina, finally overcomes his fear of women...
Does the world need Last of the Summer Wine smut? Probably not, but I wrote some anyway.
***
Compo awoke as usual, to the sounds of Nora Batty sweeping her steps.
"By 'eck lass, tha's a sight for sore eyes!" He grinned, leaning out of the bedroom window.
She frowned and tutted at him. "Go and get some clothes on! You look like someone who should come with a government health warning!"
He wasn't deterred, of course. "You're good for my health. Tha's the reason I'm able to get up in the morning. How's about you come round and give me a kiss?"
Nora fumed. "Any more of that and you're going to be getting some brush!" She waved the yard brush menacingly at him.
Compo just laughed and closed the window.
***
Howard opened the front door as quietly as possible, whilst glancing nervously around. Tiptoeing outside he was about to close the door when...
"And where do you think you're going?"
"Oh! I just thought I'd...er, go and get some fresh air, love." He mumbled. "It's so quiet out here. Isn't silence nice?"
Pearl came marching down the stairs. "Whenever you're around, silence is just suspicious."
"Well I'll just..."
Pearl folded her arms. "Yes?"
"...Start cleaning these windows," he meekly replied, picking up a cloth.
When he was certain she'd gone, Howard rushed over to Norman Clegg's house.
"Are you there, Cleggy?"
Clegg opened the door. "Whatever it is, Howard, the answer is no!"
"You don't even know what I'm going to ask you."
"I'll hazard a guess. You want me to take a message to Marina."
"Actually yes, I was wondering if you'd take a message to Marina," Howard whispered, and Clegg rolled his eyes.
"I keep telling you, I'm allergic to Marina. She brings me out in this terrible rash."
Howard continued prattling on. "I'm desperate, Cleggy. Pearl has confiscated my bicycle. Now she's confiscated my legs. I can't go out for a walk. Marina and I were going to meet up this afternoon. If you see her, you've got to let her know what's happened. Please!"
"I..."
Before he could say anything else, Howard shook his hand. "Oh thank you so much Cleggy! I knew I could rely on you! Don't forget!" He hurried off, and poor Clegg was left shaking his head. The man was impossible.
***
At Edie Pegden's house, the ladies were enjoying their weekly coffee morning.
"I've never met a man who was able to lie in a convincing manner," Ivy said. "They come up with these ridiculous excuses. They must think we were born yesterday."
"I always know when mine's lying," Pearl said. "Mainly because he never stops lying."
"When it comes to lying, my neighbour's an expert," Nora replied. "He might be scruffy, but he's a devious one. You never know what he's planning next. I've worn out three brushes on him."
Edie turned to Glenda. "Your father's just as bad. Every time I ask if he's dirtied the kitchen floor with engine oil, he denies it. If there's one thing I've learned, with a man around, you must always put plenty of paper down."
"My Barry doesn't tell lies," Glenda replied. "His motto is 'honesty is the best policy.' Such as the time when I was trying this new dress on and I asked him if it suited me. He said it was clinging in all the wrong places."
"Drink your coffee!" Edie spluttered. "You weren't brought up to talk about things that cling in the wrong places!"
"Oh Mother!" Glenda groaned.
The ladies all raised their coffee cups in unison.
***
"And you're certain this is a bomb-proof structure?" Foggy asked, as he, Compo and Clegg were given a tour of Wesley's brand-new shed. It was a smart, brick building with sliding metal doors.
"Haven't actually tried to find out yet, lads." Wesley replied. "But I guarantee she's tougher than the previous shed."
"Which did have a habit of collapsing due to those unfortunate explosions," Clegg remarked.
"It's smaller than the old one. Barely enough room to swing a ferret. And there's no window," Compo said. "I wonder if tha' can breathe if the door's shut?"
Foggy glared at him. "Of course you can breathe, you fool. There's an air vent built into the wall! I must say, I'm impressed, Wesley. It's the kind of structure that one needs during a war situation. I could see myself using this as an air raid shelter. In the jungle, one never knows when an enemy may appear. A hazard could approach at any time."
"Talking of hazards," Compo smiled. "Ey up, here comes Marina!"
A look of horror appeared on Clegg's face. "Don't let her see me! She'll pounce on me like a lioness stalking an antelope. I've got to hide..."
"Get thee in the shed Norm," Compo helpfully suggested, and he did just that. "It's a Marina-raid shelter."
Marina was tottering down the lane in high heels, wearing a too-tight and too-short pink skirt and a low-cut floral blouse.
"My, they say things come in threes!" She cooed, noticing the three men. "How fortunate for a lady that she should cross paths with not one, but three fine gentlemen!"
"Foggy nodded. "Good afternoon Madam."
Marina looked round. "Someone's missing! Where's Norman Clegg?"
"Well he had to leave in a hurry," Foggy said.