Prince for a Day
by Ian Curtress
I’m sure
you will have enjoyed as I, a Day which was worth
a week of memories.
We started out early as we only had that one Day.
Roads were pretty good, no serious holdups and
cushioned ourselves in the most gorgeous English
summer weather
At just before eleven we were having coffee on
the hotel balcony in Salcombe I was aware of
others nearby and yet somehow we were alone.
The sun umbrella gave welcome shade as we chatted
about how easy it seemed to enter another “world”
in a matter of hours.
Many times I had talked about the possibilities
of such a Day, never believing it would happen.
But love conquers all as they say.
The sea looked so inviting but we knew there
would be no time for swimwear. Watching others
welcoming every new wave, and hearing the
laughter, found us smiling with them.
One should not waste time thinking what ifs! But
it’s difficult not to imagine having a day
like this as the “norm”
We avoided facing the impossible and inevitable.
Nothing would spoil Our Day Strolling around
Salcombe we ended up on the harbour.
There were so many mouth watering boats bobbing
up and down on crystal water. The “beautiful
people” in their navy and white, draped over
the decks
I said what about throwing caution to the wind
and asking if there was anyone leaving for
Guernsey and we escape, accepting the
consequences.
All sounds so easy when cocooned in a love so
perfect, so enduring, so impossible Laughed it
off, rather a hollow laugh, and ambled off to
find a little restaurant to suit our mood and
where we enjoyed a very pleasant lunch.
Got into conversation with a young couple who
were on their honeymoon. Looking at their smiles
and their eyes was like looking in a mirror for
us.
I have to admit pangs of envy.
We then did the obligatory window shopping, found
a beautiful silk scarf.
To put around my shoulders when your arms are no
longer there, she mused.. We returned to the
hotel balcony and talked as if all was well, as
if this was ok! As if there were no problems!
Held hands to reassure each other.
A strange happy, temporary comfort.
I arranged dinner for seven as I knew we would
have to leave by eight thirty.
Dinner was to be a poignant memory as we were
both aware, it would be our last, but in its own
way not sad.
We had experienced what so few will know. Two
people almost as one with memories which no one
can enter. No one can steal.
She slept on the drive home. It was difficult to
keep my eyes on the road.
I had an Angel asleep in my car. A vision I am
still unable to recall without a pounding heart
and a dreadful longing.
We arrived at her home just on midnight..
A last Goodnight…….. Goodbye……
My beautiful Cinderella I drove home accepting
what I always knew
I would never go to the Ball!
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