Reunion

Yesterday was our first ‘girl’s day out’ since Margaret left for Cheltenham and it was also to be my birthday treat. Joy and her invalid husband both fell prey to Noro virus last week and were still feeling frail but as Margaret had already bought her train ticket it was decided to meet anyway – but we were down to three

.

Jackie and I were going to use our bus passes – walk down to Minehead and catch the 9. 40 ish half hourly bus which takes roughly an hour and a quarter- going round the houses - to drop us at Taunton station. On the phone the night before Margaret thought she and I should have our mobile phones with us.

‘I’ll just get the number.’ By the time she found it I was hoping this was a free phone period and then she asked me for mine and there was another lengthy commercial break.

The next morning Jackie and I set off – our lane was closed for repairs – even to pedestrians - so we diverted down a ginnel (narrow path) opposite our house negotiating dog poo and a landslide (honestly!). The weather was fretful so we were dressed for warmth and comfort rather than chic.

We were first in the queue so I was surprised when a woman 5’x 5’ stolidly planted herself in front of us and boarded the bus first, only to get off after two stops. As MTL had pointed out it would be a useful experience for me. I’ve often wondered if anger management classes would work.

I decided to see if the phones worked – both of us are rare users. I managed to get Margaret and tell her we were on the bus en route to Taunton – she was on the train and her voice had dropped a couple of octaves so we didn’t linger. She told me later she – unwittingly - had taken a ‘quiet’ carriage and got black looks when her phone rang.

By 11.15 am approx we were reunited with smiles, hugs and the odd tear. In spite of the excitement of a new life and being near her daughters it was clear throughout the day that Margaret is missing her former life and I suppose it is easier for us having the continuity. Also they have had unlooked for hospital visits and health issues since leaving. Whoever it was who said that moving house was one of the greatest stress inducers was right on the money.

We walked into town and found somewhere for coffee and a long catch up. They gave me a far too generous birthday present of garden tokens and the absent Joy had written:

The breath of flowers is far sweeter in the air than in the hand. May your ‘Arbour’ flourish and give you joy. With love from the ‘Girls.’

The weather was a misty murk so we ignored the shops and made our way to the river and the theatre which does lunch. It was unusually quiet so we had wine, quiche and salad and sat and talked – occasionally inspecting the weather outside – which had settled into resolute rain. And that was it really; by the time we parted to take our different paths we were heartened and renewed with the knowledge that - regardless of distance -our friendship will be lifelong.