Pretty in pink

After half a century apart, could Brian forgive Wendy for what she did?

I ran to him and then gave him a hello kiss. It was totally against my upbringing

It' s strange how the smell or sight of something can stir up recollections of times long ago. I paused for a moment taking it all in.

The scientists tell us that the smells of the past are the most evocative in triggering our memories. I sniffed the air for the scent of flowers, yet there was nothing. Perhaps it was my age. What' s up, Gran?' Jasmine said as we wandered around the extensive gardens.

It' s the apple blossom over there I' m just remembering meeting your grandfather that first time.'

Jasmine gave me a sideways hug. You' ve never talked about him much.'

Doesn' t mean I don' t think about him, sweetheart. We met on a cold April morning. His trousers were too short above his pale blue socks, but as soon as I saw him, I knew he was the one.' Love at first sight?'

Not for Brian. He was scared of me, I think. To be fair, we' d chatted on the phone to arrange our rendezvous, but you can' t really tell much from a voice.

He' d been given my details from a dating agency. I think I was the final one on their list, and he was afraid

I' d also tell him not to call again after our date.'

What was he like back then?'

Slim, with cropped chestnut coloured hair. He waved when he saw me. I guess he recognised me from the agency photo.

As he' d been waiting under the apple trees for me to arrive, his shirt was dusted with pink petals. I' m afraid that I burst out laughing at the sight.'

Jasmine interrupted my recollections, pointing to a picnic table with two benches either side.

Can we sit down please, Gran? I know I' m younger than you, but the baby complains when I walk too much. Besides, it' s where we' ve arranged to meet him.'

I smiled. Kicking again? Just like your mum when I was expecting.'

The cool breeze was bracing. I was glad we' d both brought heavy overcoats. However, the scattering of rainbow tulips helped remind us of the beauty of this place.

Jasmine settled down gingerly next to me. So, what happened? With the laughing, I mean?' He turned to leave, avoiding any glance at my face. I realised my rudeness, ran to him and then gave him a hello kiss. It was totally against my upbringing. That' s when he gazed into my eyes and understood.' Understood what?'

That we were kindred souls, with the possibility of something special happening

between us. When I brushed the blossom from his shoulders, we watched it float to the dew-covered grass like pink snow.

Some passers-by tutted at such an open display of affection in public, but I didn' t care. I felt free and alive for the first time in ages. It was only later that I understood why it was the trees.'

Sorry, Gran. You' ve lost me there.'

Look around you Jasmine. Those trees have been there for ages, stoic and unmoving. All through the winter they sleep, without a single leaf wafting in the winds, watching and waiting.

Yet, once a year, for a few unique weeks, they wake up and celebrate a renewal of life, putting on their most delicate, attractive clothing to announce themselves to everyone and everything that will listen. My life had been regimented until then at home and at school. Even the clothing I wore was deliberately chosen to make me boring and dowdy.'

I see now,' said Jasmine. The woman inside you was ready to break free and, for some reason, you' d chosen Grandad to be your guide.'

If I could have carved a message on that tree of life back then, it would have been so simple. It would have said: Brian and Wendy

orever. I' d hoped he' d feel the same.'

Jasmine and I sat in silence, each with our own private thoughts.

I took a moment to breathe in the wistfulness of that first day with Brian¼

Our minds came together once more, watching two furtive squirrels scurrying across the grass.

The only sounds were bird song and the wind caressing the flowers and emerging foliage above us.

Eventually I was gently nudged from my melancholia.

Gran. I do realise we' ve talked a lot about this reunion. Are you still certain about it? It' s not too late to change your mind.'

No, I owe it to him. Actually, I owe it to everyone, including you and your mum. All our lives could have been so much different hopefully better.

It' s about time I tried to resolve some of the past issues. After all, I have a reputation to maintain.' Jasmine grinned.

Her mother always referred to me as: someone determined to get her way' .

In retrospect, that was rather a kind description.

I remembered the younger me as being overly selfish.

As for Jasmine, I could only wonder about her feelings. Apprehension, concern for me, all those unanswered questions and hurt for her mother' s childhood?

Istared at the freckled grass as wisps of gentle zephyrs stirred the petals.

Decades of spring times had barely changed the park landscape.

How many lovers had met beneath these resplendent branches? How many promises had been made and then shattered?

Is that him, Gran?' My granddaughter' s voice was tinged with excitement.

I doubt that I' d recognise him now, sweetheart. Forty odd years does a lot to change us all inside and out. However, it' s not him. Despite not sending any up-to-date photos, he did say he' d be wearing a blue fleece.'

Oh,' she sighed before putting her glasses back on to better scan the lazy, flower-edged pathways.

We had some wonderful times together. We spent hours in this park, him reading love poetry to me, or simply talking about nothing and everything. We used to go rowing on the lake over that ridge, before they made it into another football ground. He was terrible at rowing, so I had to help him. Somehow that didn' t seem to matter back then.'

So why did the two of you split up, if that' s not too painful a question?'

I paused, sensing waves of anguish still fresh, despite the years since we parted.

Was it someone else?' she gently prompted, leaning closer to me.

Yes. Someone rich. To a young person who' d been raised in near poverty, marriage to money was a dream. Fast cars, dining in restaurants with linen table cloths, going to shows and parties with celebrities. Sad to say, it was too much of a temptation.'

And that was the finish? So much for the fairy-tale romance¼'

I laughed. Relationships are much more tenuous with your generation. Go out with a boy one month, then, how do you put it text-dumpº him and move on?

Back in the olden days, love was much more discerning and painful when it ended. It was only after we broke up that I discovered I was pregnant. By then it was too late for us.

He' d moved on and, although it was more

I doubt that Id recognise him now, sweetheart. Forty odd years does a lot to change us all, inside and out

difficult for me, I had to also.'

How sad. And how dreadful for you, having to raise Mum by yourself she told me stories.'

I must have shown that I was upset it had been a struggle.

Don' t feel bad, Gran. Mum told me that it was difficult to make ends meet, but that you loved her so much, it made up for the hard times. You should have told him.'

I tried to track him down, but he' d emigrated to Australia, of all places. I had no way to contact him. He had no family and few friends in Britain. Eventually I had to give up.'

And yet here I was, waiting for the man who' d disappeared from my life so long ago to walk back in. How stupid was that?

Still, I had to try to reconcile the past.

I reached out for Jasmine' s hand. Jazz, whatever happens here today, I want to thank you for finding

Brian and arranging this.

The miracles of modern technology, eh? Type a name, press a few buttons and suddenly he' s back in my life once mo¼'

We saw him, both of us at the same time, emerging from the tenuous mists.

I gripped Jasmine' s hand tighter and we stood as Jasmine waved.

He waved back. His brown hair was grey now and receding from his forehead. And he was limping.

Nevertheless, I could still recognise Brian¼ My dearest Brian.

It seemed to be ages until he slowed, then stood before us. His eyes showed the lines of age, but his smile still reminded me of that nervous lad of our youth.

You' ve not changed, Wendy. Still beautiful and still wearing pink.'

Ibegan to protest that I wasn' t wearing pink this time. Then I noticed the apple blossom on my grey woollen coat.

You could have told me, Jasmine,' I berated her, playfully.

Her own clothing was petal-free. Obviously, I' d been the only one sitting under the tree.

Then I remembered that introductions were in order.

Brian, this is the lovely young lady who contacted you on the internet¼' I took a deep breath. Your granddaughter, Jasmine.'

Seeing the abject shock on his face, I instantly regretted not waiting until we' d had a chance to greet one another properly.

Jasmine helped him to a bench on the other side of the wooden table.

You could have told me at the time, Wendy,' he eventually said. I could sense regret rather than anger. I would have stood by you, helped you¼ I would have married you in an instant.'

Hold on,' said Jasmine. You left Gran for someone else.'

No Jasmine,' I explained. You misunderstood. Although I was certain we loved one another, I wanted more. I left Brian for the son of a company boss. A lad who wasn' t who I thought he was. By the time I saw through his lies, your grandfather had left the country and, I' m sorry to say, I' d broken his heart.'

I began to sob. I was the villain of the story, Jazz.'

Villainess,' Brian corrected without thinking.

Despite the situation, I had to laugh. I wiped my eyes.

You always were pedantic when it came to the English language, Brian.'

He stood to move towards me, and I pushed myself to my feet to hug him closely.

For what I did to you all those years ago, I' m so truly sorry,' I told him contritely.

But I' m here again, with you, Wendy. Thanks to this delightful young woman whom I dearly hope to get to know better. It seems we have much to catch up on.'

A whole 46 years to be exact!' I laughed.

And three months, two days,' he added. I never forgot you. Perhaps we could try to make up for those lost times?'

I' d love to try, but more importantly, I want to see what the future will bring us

together. I can see I have my work cut out for me, though. Look at the state of your trousers!'

Brian' s face lit up as he said: What can I say? I need a woman' s touch in my life. Now, might I suggest we find somewhere warmer? I feel the cold more these days.'

Shall we all go to my place? Your daughter,

Jasmine' s mum, is waiting to meet you. She' s been waiting a very long time.'

She could have come with you here.'

We thought three women might be too intimidating. Didn' t want to scare you off.'

No chance of that, Wendy. But right now, I feel a little apprehensive about seeing the daughter I never knew I had. You' re the family I always wished for, and I see I' m going to be a greatgrandfather too.'

You already are, to a little boy who' s at nursery. His name is Brian.'

Whatever happens here today, I want to thank you for finding Brian and arranging this