Monday, September 22, 2014

Flagrant desire.






An autumnal feel to our mornings. It's staying dark now until seven thirty. Bob and Sophie stand at the courtyard gate watching the school buses pick up their charges. Three worldly wise teenagers slouch on the town hall steps. Two 'bad' boys smoke a cigarette, furtively, behind the gazebo. The little ones stand with their mothers by the war memorial. They've been back at school for three weeks but some of the five year olds still have the forlorn look of convicts being shipped off to Devils Island. 

The young fireman who plays left wing for the local rugby club comes barreling out of Flagrant Desire, the improbably named local jewellery store, and runs straight into 'The Font'. He's paid off the final instalment on the engagement ring and is steeling himself for the important task ahead. '' Do you think she'll like it ? " he says opening up a small red velvet box. '' It's zirconium and diamond ". 'The Font' looks at the ring and after a moments pause says ' It's quite something. She'll be the happiest girl in the world '. The young fireman's face lights up. As he heads off on his motor bike he stops, lifts his visor and shouts back ' Thank You '. One of life's truisms : Never stint on encouragement.

The routines of life in deepest, deepest France profonde.

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

Will dear SOPHIE ever get a wooden stool of her own? Or is it simply a BOB thing?

Angus said...

Big responsibility = wooden stump seat. It's a Bob thing.

WFT Nobby said...

Best of luck to the young fireman. Will there soon be an engagement party at the rugby club? 'The Font' should definitely be invited.

Anonymous said...

I thought it had to be a Bob thing.

Bella Roxy & Macdui said...

Didn't know they put zircons and diamonds together. I hope the young lady is appreciative.

~Kim at Golden Pines~ said...

They say love is blind, so if he does the proposal just right, the ring will be the most perfect one.

Anonymous said...

A Perfect romantic story to start my week! The font was very wise in her comments and we hope they live happily ever after!

Angus, beautifully description of children headed off to school ... it takes me back.

tammy j said...

i have always loved the font's heart.

Swan said...

I love your way with words

Jake of Florida said...

My question is: How long before Sophie figures out that she just needs to push the lever on the gate down and be off on a tour of her own?

Sheila said...

Angus, you might enjoy Roger Cohen's op-ed piece on the
NYTimes website today, "Triuths of a French Village." The
comments are interesting also.

Angus said...

I like his writing. Today he's got it spot on.

Emm said...

My the young fireman and his lady live long and happily together with the wonderful ring.

And I'm holding out for equality for Sophie, that she have her own stump stool.

Myboyzach said...

I'm with Jake, how long will it take Sophie before she figures out the gate lever?