History


Since our old college is shut down, Jen thinks Bath would be a good central point. Several dates are negotiated.
Sorry, I'm in New York!
We're away camping, it's booked.
Ect!
The 7th?
Yes!

 I drive up. Girl says: I hardly remember it at all.
It's 20 years ago, I say.
We park and check in and get on a bus.
Always on a bus, in those days. The 484. Still had to walk a mile or so down the drive to the college. Carried all our laundry on that bloody bus. In those days. Shared a house, all of us. Formative years!

I know them, as though we had never parted company at all.
Hugs and exclamations!
Girl was five or six: and now she's 24?!
Ridiculous! That's older than we were…
Elaine slides the photo album from her bag…
Oh! I remember that jumper; those knickknack things in the fire surround; hideous carpet; that tall girl- Yes, she was at Leeds- Paul the landlord; didn't care for wearing trousers around the house. Afraid of girls though. Here's Girl, waving cute hands at the camera. So cute! Remember that hat Kate? That costume, Sandie? Lisa in the silver tights!
To the table where the wine waits; light hearted whites from the cheap end of the menu, loitering on ice; we draw in; slide along the bench and ask the waitress: could we have some water too please.
Jen doesn't recall breaking the cupboard door: launches into monologue: we say this is not a conversation now, it's good stand-up.
I can't have the banoffi pudding, the waiter says, they have run out of bananas.
He stands patiently waiting, shifts his weight from foot to foot, while we laugh and laugh.

On Sunday morning we assemble in the Assembly Rooms.
We will do this again, we say. Hire a cottage and cook. Give Jen lots of wine.
Yes!
We have tickets for the costume museum and the Roman Baths.

 

Comments

Geo. said…
Delightful! I don't pretend to understand girl reunions but I sure like the pictures. Bottom one looks fun and happy. Top one might be a casting call for "Sweet Charity". In all, an enjoyable post!
10 September 2013 at 00:50
Suze said…
Lisa, you look like a starlet. I think this deserves to be lengthened into a short story (which I would like to read.)
10 September 2013 at 06:06
Lisa Southard said…
Thank you :-) It was all fun and happy and more than worth a few words! I'm thinking that the starlet picture is the 'Sweet Charity' picture and not so much the one in the bonnets!
11 September 2013 at 00:04
Suze said…
The one in the bonnets, I love the girl in the green dress's shoes. Chuck Taylors endure.
11 September 2013 at 21:23
Lisa Southard said…
It's an oddly angled shot- that is me in the green dress and my Chuck Taylor (cheap replica) shoes. The other bonnet houses my daughter :-)
11 September 2013 at 22:46
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