Activity

Morning

‘I dreamt of you last night.’
Good morning, darling.
‘We were walking the dog down that lane, do you remember, brambleberry lane, we called it.’
Of course I remember.
‘We used to pick berries in the summer until our hands were black. Do you remember that? How you’d untangle us from the thorns and produce a handkerchief from your sleeve to try to dry our hands.’
A woman should always have a handkerchief to hand.
‘You’re probably telling me I should keep a hanky up my sleeve too.’
Are you eating enough? You look like a stiff wind would blow you away.
‘It’s been hard, since I last came to see you. I don’t know … Oh, I just remembered. I dreamed about the river too. We were sitting on your bench listening to the parakeets, watching the swans. I don’t think it was a real memory.’
Real enough, darling.
‘I wish it was.’
Come along now. No need to droop, you aren’t a flower. Now, I saw you the other day having lunch with that nice man. Tell me about him.
‘So, I met someone, I think. It’s early days, like, but he’s … nice.’
Don’t you go running away from this one. You let him spoil you.
‘He’s very kind.’
Then trust him. You’re a one for expecting the worst.
‘I just … I’m not sure I’m in the right place for a relationship-
Right place? Love is not geography, darling.
-you’ll laugh at me for that. I just … I just couldn’t take it if I loved him and he left, you know?’
Don’t be daft. Why would anyone want to leave you?
‘I can’t take losing anyone else.’
Oh darling.
‘I know it’s stupid, but I just can’t.’
I didn’t-
‘You left me.’
I didn’t.
‘You left me, and I’m so lonely, and so sad. I can’t seem to stop being sad.’
Oh darling.
‘I miss you.’
But I’m right here.
‘Talking to you like this. It isn’t enough.’
Love is always enough, and I never left you. Be strong, darling. Dream.

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