The open air cafe

The instant I saw her I was smitten. She was striding across the terrace humming some popular ditty as she navigated between the tables of the outdoor café.

She walked closer with a mixture of dignity and grace with such purpose I naturally thought she was meeting someone behind me.

I was in a period of some discretion when it came to dating after one or two disappointments over the years. However her coming within my vision made me falter. I thought, “Is this a Miss right?”

Then almost as quickly I began to buckle. What did I have to gain? She was but a few steps from my table, so I glanced down and idly stirred my coffee. I was about to lift it to my lips when I glanced up again and she had stopped not a few feet from me.

“Robin?” she asked, “You were at the Surrey School of Art a few years ago. It’s Gina.”

Oh yes, I remember, Gina. I racked my brains. What had happened to her? She just disappeared. Quit, I suppose and just lost track. How was it I didn't recognize her? But she had changed so much.

“So what are you doing now? Oh, sorry would you like a drink?”

“No, but I’ll sit for bit.” 

So she sat alongside me and grinned; and that was the start of it all. Well you know the drill.