Valerie - Part 1
It was one of those chance encounters; the Common Room,
mid-morning on a brisk April day. She bounced in with a radiant smile
and absent-mindedly scanned the newspapers. I was reading a magazine.
At loose ends, we were both looking for something to do, so I suggested
an afternoon on the river together. She said 'Sure!' and we gathered
the ingredients for a picnic and set off for St Aldates.
The day was simply beautiful! There was a breeze cool enough
to pimple her skin, so I offered her my sweater. The Cherwell looked
inviting, its surface dancing with ripples, brightly dappled with sunshine.
I took her hand and settled her in the punt, grasping the pole to guide us
into midstream. There were many others enjoying the early afternoon,
some ladies with parasols and long, flowing print dresses, but we
took no heed. We wore jeans and sweaters and were enjoying one
another's company. We reached a shallow bridge and I ducked, angling
the pole so we would clear the span. As we drifted under I grabbed the pole
to bring it clear of the water, and horrified, I found it was stuck in the
river bed! The punt sailed quietly on without its helmsman, as I was left
clinging, and sliding slowly into the river. We broke into uncontrollable
laughter; she because of my childishness and lack of restraint, and I
because of my embarrassing plight! Finally she secured the punt with
the paddle and I retrieved the pole, drying myself as best I could on the bank.
We drank wine and ate bread, cheese and grapes, giggling and teasing
each other like two children at play.
Copyright © Keith Bickerstaffe | Year Posted 2009
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