“WE ARE SINGLE. That’s what I read.” – Once I admitted to myself I was irretrievable drawn to you, I was always and only trying to let you know that I wasn’t manoeuvring you, or making you feel under pressure. It was never that I didn’t want a partnership.

“What do you remember about the evening?” – I remember how my heart did a backflip when you arrived. I remember Bernie saying how gorgeous you looked, how I was hoping you were concentrating on what Gary was saying and couldn’t hear her. I remember readily agreeing with her in the hope that she would change the subject. I remember being amused at your discomfort when you were listening to us, rather than Gary. I remember whispering to you when we went inside that you did, indeed, look gorgeous. But mostly, I remember being hijacked over floral shirts.

“You were very keen to ‘look after me’ and asked if I could come over for a week” – I really thought that this would be a time when you would need to have your load lightened so that you could concentrate on you, rather than having to look after others. I didn’t think that your kids would step up to the plate and do that for you. The fact that I would have extra time with you was just a side benefit. I was disappointed when you said ‘no,’ but not surprised. I made a point of waiting until Sasha was present before making the suggestion. I wanted her to think about you needing support. I hoped that if you declined, as you did, that she might think more about your needs at this uncertain time.

“When did I overtake Gary on the ladder?” – I don’t know. There wasn’t a specific event. It was possibly only at the time that I told you, or maybe shortly before, that I realised it myself.

“Do you know the date of that funny email that was written like a news piece?” – Nope. Will take me ages to find it.

“That was probably the first of those little remarks that you let slip, probably on purpose.” – Nope. Not on purpose. Just intended for levity. But I do remember a follow-up conversation we had about this in the main kitchen at Bridgey.

“I gulped and told myself not to be so ridiculous.” – I had no idea.

“There was one moment when you put your head on my shoulder, you were edging ever closer.” – Don’t remember. Tell me about it.

“You slid into my timeline seamlessly.” – I had asked you to change your routine and it involved some inconvenience for you. It was only right that I should try to make it worth your while.

“You wobbled me.” – Heart backflip.

“my friend that would be everlasting.” – Friend? Hugging and kissing and squeezing and, etc. This put me in a flat spin. Was this a message you were sending me? After all, you’re the literal one.

“You asked why I moved from one side of the bed to the other; did you think I deliberately chose not to sleep on ‘your side’?” – wasn’t sure. You had slept on my side the first night you stayed. Then you changed.

What a fabulous post! Glad I shared it with the siblings. Clever girl!