Reunited after 40 years apart
Couple engaged following racism agony
A COUPLE who were forced apart by racism almost 40 years ago have rekindled their love.
Penny Umbers was just 16 when she fell for Mark Bethel, a 17-year-old who had come from the Bahamas to study at a school in Nottingham at the end of the Seventies.
They were forced apart when both sets of parents were unhappy with their relationship.
Mark, now 61, returned home but later arrived back in Britain to go to university in London while Penny attended a polytechnic college nearby so they could be together.
But one day out of the blue, he ended the relationship without giving her a reason.
Devastated Penny, 60, quit college and even tried to kill herself.
She went on to have two failed marriages and always thought of her long lost love, until one day, in 2019, she received a message from him on Facebook.
heartbreaking
When they spoke, she was stunned to learn the racism behind their separation and travelled to see him in the Bahamas as soon as the pandemic allowed.
And having rediscovered their love, they are engaged and have written a book about their story.
Penny, who lives in Bromsgrove, Worcs, said: “When we spoke in 2019, Mark told me what had happened at school.
“He had been talking to my father in the garden. My father had said to him, ‘You’ve had your fun, now move on boy’.”
Then later he went to Mark’s university and called him out of a lecture to go to the vice principal’s office.
Penny said: “My father told him he knew people in high places and would have his schol
arship revoked if he didn’t stop seeing me, and that I must know nothing about this. It was a difficult position for a 19-year-old.
“His parents stopped supporting him. They had told him he should not be having a relationship with a white girl.”
Mark finished his degree then travelled the world working in hotel management. He married, then divorced, but had always thought about Penny.
He said: “When her father spoke to me, I couldn’t believe it. It was heartbreaking.” Mark later tried to find Penny online. “One day I found a photo of her outside Windsor Castle. I just said, ‘Is this Penny?’ I felt nervous, happy and giddy.”
As soon as travel restrictions were lifted, Penny flew out to see Mark in the Bahamas this June for an emotional reunion.
Mark said: “When we saw each other I shed a tear or two. I couldn’t believe she was here in my arms.” Penny added: “I’m going to live with Mark in the Bahamas. I’ve never loved anyone the way I love him.”