lifestyle
Short Story
lifestyle
A NEW CHAPTER
by MADELEINE LEHANE Tennis? Choir? Water-colour painting? Julie pored over the possibilities on her laptop as she researched ideas for a new hobby. Her daughter Immy had gone to read English at university and Julie had time to do something new for herself, and to distract her from those pangs she felt about Immy living away from home. It had been a long time since Julie had taken up any hobby for her own enjoyment. Life had been full and satisfying enough with family, work and running a home. Something to do with children wondered Julie... In the past she'd helped at Brownies and been a school governor. But she remembered her husband Mark's suggestion that she consider trying something purely for herself. Or did he say that so he wouldn't feel guilty with all the time he spent at the bowls club?! Julie couldn't make a decision, there wasn't anything she felt passionate enough about. “That's enough of sitting at the laptop,” she thought. She needed some bits and pieces of shopping and loved the buzz of the high street on a Saturday.
"Sorry I'm not much company," she said, "I want to finish this before my book group on Monday evening." Julie didn't mind not chatting, she breathed in the smell of roasting coffee, drank in the lively atmosphere at the café and admired the décor which was a terracotta colour and a bright blue mirroring the sky outside. Julie was about to leave and was wondering whether to interrupt to say goodbye when the woman at her table exclaimed: "Finished! That was excellent." The triumphant look on her face made Julie ask about the book. A long conversation ensued. More coffee was ordered for both of them. An hour passed easily. "Goodness, I've taken up a lot of your time and I should go home," said Julie "But I have so enjoyed discussing books and authors with you. My daughter's gone to read English at university and I'm beginning to wish I'd done that." "Well, we have space for a new member in our book group," said the woman. The two of them swapped names and telephone numbers and Julie promised to consider it.
The brilliant blue sky had brought plenty of people out. The sun shone on the Victorian buildings making them look more impressive than usual. The shops were busy but Julie didn't mind queueing as she enjoyed people-watching and saying hello to neighbours and acquaintances.
Back home alone in the house Julie went to Immy's room. She looked anew at the books on the shelves and wondered with a pang (a happier pang) whether she might be able to discuss some of these with Immy. Julie was lost in reading when Mark came home.
“Oh, there's a new café on the corner of Church Street,” thought Julie. She ordered a latte at the counter and looked in vain for a spare table at which to sit down.
He thought he'd find Julie in there tidying what didn't need tidying and trying to feel close to Immy; he missed her too. And he was surprised to find not tears but a dream-like smile on Julie's face.
"Excuse me, would you mind if I shared your table?" asked Julie of the lady sitting quietly with her head in a book. The woman looked up and said "No, I mean yes, of course, please sit down." Julie pondered hobbies again as she drank her coffee. “Just one good interest would do to start with,” she thought, “I'll have time for more when I retire.” The woman continued reading.
"I have found a new hobby and I'm going to start it on Monday!" said Julie. Over their meal, Julie told Mark how she'd discovered the book group. "Here's to a new chapter - pun intended!" said Mark as he smiled - with some relief - and raised his wine glass to his wife.
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June 2022 Life in... Orpington 45
