June 2013
David sat there listening to the radio, they were playing the sounds of the l960's; for most of us and for him they are just words and tunes of that time. Then the next record to be played was 'Lovers of the World Unite'. Memories of the l960's came flooding back, he now understood that music and words have the power to invoke great feelings but the very deepest feelings are associated with moments of great meaning in one's life, either for good or bad.
Little did he know what affect those moments would have on his life when he first heard that song. He remembered the time when this song was just a part of the hit parade.
At that time where he worked he was a member of that age group that were young and used to having parties practically every weekend. His group tried to continue the life they had enjoyed when they were at college.
His employer had recently moved into a new town and practically all of his colleagues either had a flat of their own or shared with a workmate. So parties were easy to arrange, it was just a question of bring a bottle and some records. As the work place was predominantly male there was always a shortage of girls for these parties.
Jonathan was one of the more extravert members of the group and had arranged for some of the young nurses from the local hospital to come to a party. The girls had wanted to meet in a local pub, that way if they were not happy they were on neutral territory and so could make up their minds to come to the party or stay in the pub.
When he arrived in the pub they were all sitting around one of the tables. The girls were sitting on one of those long seats that were fixed to the wall; his friends were sitting around the table facing them. As he was a little late the rest of the group had paired up leaving just one of the girls on her own. He knew that she would probably be his partner for the night.
She sat shoulder to shoulder with her friends. She wore one of those famous little black dresses, her hair was that lovely Titian colour and she was looking down at her hands in her lap. She was holding a small clutch hand bag edged with diamond beads that sparkled in the light. She was not drinking and not really taking part in any of the conversations.
As he approached the table she looked up and he could see that she was not one of the world's great beauties and perhaps why she was the last to find a companion. Seeing him she gave one of those uncertain smiles that quickly flickered across her face and once more she looked down. Oh well he thought it's only for the night. Perhaps if he had known the future he may have run a mile.
'You have arrived; typical you let us get the drinks in. This is Rachel but she prefers to be called Rae. You'll get to know the others in time,' said Jonathan.
'Sorry I'm late but someone had set fire to a haystack the police and the fire brigade were there stopping the traffic,' he replied. 'Hello Rae I'm David,' he said holding out his hand to her.
She took his hand and looked into his eyes. Her eyes were pale blue and her hands were soft and cool.
He had been on an interviewing course and was told that you often decide to offer a job within about twelve seconds. He now knew that it was not only true for jobs but also for girl friends. For him at that moment it was like magic.
Looking round the table he could see that she was the only one without a drink. 'Can I get you a drink?' he asked.
She said, 'I'd love a fruit juice.'
They all sat round the table for some time talking and getting to know one another. Usually David could chat away and fill most silences without any problems. With Rae it seemed different he seemed somehow to be afraid, awkward and found it hard to find the words. They sat there, she looking into her lap and he looking across the bar into a mirror where he could see her reflection and her beautiful hair.
'I can't help admiring your hair, is it natural or out of a bottle?' he said kicking himself for those last few words, what's wrong with me he thought.
'Oh thank you but it is mainly natural but with perhaps just a little help from the bottle to lighten it a shade,' she replied with a smile on her lips as she realised David's awkwardness.
'Come on drink up and let's go to the party. David you can take some of the gills and I'll bring the rest,' said Jonathan.
They all got up from the table and he helped Rae with her coat and they all walked out to the car park.
'Off we go,' he said starting the car. It took only a few minutes and they were soon pulling up outside Jonathan's flat. The record player was already beating out the latest pop and Jonathan's flatmate was already enjoying the dancing.
David took hold of Rae's hand and they began to dance to 'Lovers of the World Unite'. She was as light as a feather and he thought she moved with the grace of an angel, following his lead as they moved. Even after such a short time David was becoming more infatuated by her. They danced together all night until the early hours of the morning. They slumped together into one of the vacant armchairs.
'Do you live in the hospital?' he asked.
'Yes l live in the Nurses' Home with my young sister, but our parents live in the old town so sometimes I stay at home,' she replied.
'Come on you lot, haven't you got homes to go to,' said Jonathan in a loud voice.
'May l take you home?' he asked.
'Only to the Nurses' home' looking at her watch, 'but the gates will be locked so I'll have to climb over the fence,' she answered.
'No problem, let's go.'
David took her to the car, once again he found it hard to talk to her if she had been someone he didn't have any particular feelings for he would be chasing away, but with her it was different, he was so afraid of saying the wrong thing after the bottle of hair dye. The nurses' home was not very far away and he stopped the car where she said and they got out of the car.
'Can I see you again?' he asked.
'Yes next week I'm going to a party, you can take me,' she replied.
He was at a loss should he kiss her, shake hands or what, the moment was passed as she was already climbing over the fence. 'See you next week,' she said over her shoulder.
He watched her go into the nurses' home and he got back into the car and made his way home. As he drove his mind was in a turmoil with what he should have said to her, but one thing he knew was that he had fallen in love.
Over the next few months they met up and went to various parties that were arranged. Each time they met it was always the same; he felt so awkward with her he wasn't able to show his love for her, just in case she didn't feel the same.
As her parents lived in the town he met them at one of the parties her mother warned him that he shouldn't become too attached to Rae. But her warning was too late he knew that no matter how the relationship turned out she would always be a part of his life and memory.
One of David's close friends was getting married and he asked him if he would be his Best Man. As David's mother and father would also be at the wedding it seemed an opportunity for them to meet Rae. However, the Gods had other ideas, on the evening before the wedding she phoned him to tell him she wasn't going to come, in effect he had been dumped; he never spoke to her again.
Later a mutual friend told him that things would be different if they got back together, as she really missed him. He couldn't, his love for her was unchanged but his feelings were like a wine glass when whole it is perfect and beautiful, but once broken it cannot be repaired. In later life he realised the immaturity of this view, folk have to learn to give and take and most importantly to forgive. If he had his life may have been happier.
His life after that became a unsettled, he left his job and took another in the town. One lunchtime he was walking along the High Street and he saw her in front of him. He was certain that she was aware of him as she had looked round. She walked slowly along the road, was she wanting him to meet her? He didn't but for the rest of his life he regretted that decision of the moment. He never forgot her and would often wonder what happened to her but he always hoped she had a happy life.
Perhaps Plato was right when he reported Aristophones as saying that the Gods felt mankind was too content and started to think of themselves as gods, so they divided each from their partner, so that they would then spend all their time searching for their other half and forget about challenging the Gods.
What he couldn't be certain was as he stood in the High Street looking towards her did he really hear the Gods laughing at him and in the back ground were they playing that tune.
There is a Post Script to this story.
'Sister the notes for the new patients are there for you inspection. Nothing serious as far as I can see,' said the Staff Nurse.
'This one looks interesting, an unusual surname, I used to know a young man with this name. It can't be him,' said the Sister.
With the notes in her hand she walked into the side ward. David was sitting by his bed reading a newspaper. She recognised him straight away, he was older of course. He looked up to see her looking at him.
'Hello, David,' said Rae.
David didn't recognise her at first. Then slowly his face changed, first with a look of puzzlement, then a look of recognition, then with a smile that spread across his face as he became sure it was her.
'Is it Rae?' he asked.
'Yes, David. Why didn't you come to me when you last saw me in the High Street? Life may have been so very different for both of us,' she said.
Then before he could answer she carried on, 'l see you are down here for an enema later this morning. In the old days you were only verbally constipated now I see you have become constipated at the other end,' she said in a light hearted manner with that lovely smile on her lips he remembered so well.