Rosemary continued her story about the gay man who had a twin brother who wasn't. An unexpected birth and the start of romance. John gave an account of his memories during the war.I wrote about a vicar's help in easing traffic problems. Joan recounted farming tales and losing her story under a place mat. Pat about famous people and gossip. Ann a complicated science fiction story following up from a previous one told some years back. Sheila garden seasons and enjoying it.
Next meeting Joan & Jack's 25th Didn't move.
Sue had four votes.
‘IN
ORDER TO’
Trudy
drifted through the crowds of people, all seeming to have an urgent
destination, and wondered what on earth she was doing here, in the
centre of town.
She
had woken that morning to the prospect of another empty day, like all
the others since it had happened. She dragged herself out of bed and
drew back the curtains to reveal the grey scene before her. The
familiar street was busy at this hour, with neighbours setting off
for work or taking the children to school. There was Sally over the
road, scolding little James as he dragged his school bag and dawdled,
head down, out to the car. Mr Turner, next door, was pecking his
wife on the cheek and heading briskly, briefcase in hand, for the
station. “Yes, everyone has a purpose and a goal in mind for the
day – except me,” sighed Trudy dismally, as she made her way
downstairs and into her neat, empty kitchen.
She
stared out of the window as she waited for the kettle to boil. Tea,
the great cure-all, or so everyone would have you think, was
automatically the first thing she did to fill the emptiness of her
day. How pathetic! Is this the only thing she can do in order to
get through yet another bleak day? She suddenly slammed her open
hand down on the worktop with a loud crack, startling herself with
her vehemence. “No, no, no,” she said out loud, “I must do
something today, but what? “
As
she made the tea, took it to the table and sat stirring it round and
round, she gazed, mesmerised, into the cup, the voice of her doctor
suddenly popping into her head, saying, “One day at a time, just
take one day at a time.” Well, she bloody well wasn’t going to
spend one more day stuck here, moping. No, she would go out, but
where? Well, she ruminated, she could get the bus into town for a
start. She brightened at the prospect. Would she be brave enough to
actually have lunch out? Well, why not? The doctor’s voice again,
saying, “You deserve to think of yourself, you are
worth it.” Yes, that was the trouble, she’d never put her own
wishes forward forcefully enough, but what was stopping her now?
She’d do it!
With
that thought, Trudy jumped up from the table, dumped her cup in the
sink and didn’t even think of washing it up and putting it away as
usual. She dashed upstairs, suddenly invigorated, had a quick shower
and dressed with care before letting herself out of the house and
walking to the bus stop.
Now
here she was - drifting. This wouldn’t do at all. What was the
time? It was almost twelve and a respectable time to look for a
place to eat. “I know,” she thought, “I’ll go to that pretty
café
down by the harbour. I know it’s a grey day, but it’ll perk me
up to see all the boats there and the sea beyond the harbour wall.”
She set off and soon reached the harbour side, with its row of
colourful shops. She’d forgotten how interesting it was down here.
She stopped to look in the window of a small dress shop she hadn’t
seen before. Perhaps she’d pop in there after she’d had lunch,
she thought, and felt pleasantly excited at the prospect.
She
walked on towards the café,
gazing around her with renewed interest and almost walked right past
it, stopping abruptly and turning to the door.
“Ouch,” said an amused
voice behind her, as her heel came down sharply on someone’s shoe.
Looking up she encountered the disarming smile and piercing blue eyes
of the owner of the foot. “Oh, I’m so sorry, I was day-dreaming
and nearly passed right by the café;
do excuse me,” she stammered.
“Oh, that’s okay,” said
the stranger, “I’m heading there too.” He held the door open,
gesturing with his other hand for her to precede him inside. “It
looks as though we are the only two people here. Are you meeting
someone, or could I ask you to join me for a bite to eat? I’m new
to the area and it would be good to chat to someone local. I’m off
that yacht over there but don’t know anyone here or anything about
the area. I just thought it looked an interesting place to explore.”
Trudy
smiled for the first time that day, nodded happily and thought,
“Thank you, Dr Marsh,” as she took the window seat held out for
her by the smiling stranger.
