By Norma Hart

You’ll know the feeling. You go to bed and you’re tired and maybe relaxed too. When you get into the bed and under the duvet, you sort of melt into the mattress and the pillow. It’s a great feeling – the bed is all cotton wool and clouds. It takes maybe thirty seconds and you’re drifting off to where you need to be. Asleep. 

That’s when the first stupid question pops into your head. Who was it directed The Godfather? You don’t remember, turn over and drift again but don’t quite land. Was Godfather, Marlon Brando’s best movie? The little toe on your left foot itches so you use your right foot to scratch it. No, On the Waterfront. Definitely. Or maybe A Streetcar Named Desire? Now you’re a touch rattled because you aren’t asleep. Maybe if you turn the pillow over? Streetcars. Where do you mostly see them? The little toe itches again. San Francisco, in films. Loads of car chases and Clint Eastwood. Great actor, Clint. And Director come to think. Wish I could stop thinking. You think.

You determine not to think anymore. Suddenly you realize you’re drifting again. Drifters. No, not drifters, Grifters. Like in The Sting. Paul Newman – now he could act. Redford too. What was the other film? Oh yes, Butch Cassidy. Brilliant that. They were mates. Not just in the film either. James Cagney, he was in a film with Pat O’Brien. Angels With Dirty Faces. Cracker that. 1938. They were best mates too. The little toe itches but worse than before. Loads of films about Angels. David Niven in The Bishops Wife. That was one. People watch that every Christmas. Without fail. You turn over and tell yourself sleep! Even though instructions don’t work you say it anyway. You try but can’t remember the name of that film your mother watches every Christmas. She must know it has nothing to do with Christmas. What was it? Now you’re wide awake and get out of bed to find your Greatest Movie book. Sleepless in Seattle. Why the hell did she watch that? Anyway, bugger Seattle. Sleepless isn’t there, it’s sodding here. 

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Norma Hart is a retired university lecturer with a background in the social sciences. Hallmarks of her work include eccentric characters; village life; and family lore. She prefers wit over cleverness and endings over beginnings.