Bahamas.

He stood there in scruffy jeans and T-shirt with those horrible material trainer’s that turn up at the end they are so old but washed all the time; instantly I knew I didn’t like his dress sense and he was a man of poverty. So straight away I had made an assumption an assessment of him and didn’t like him either, although I hadn’t even spoken to him. He was my next door neighbours brother, Auden, doing something in her back garden.

After strenuously compiling a story for a trip to the Bahamas I just received a phone call I had won!!! I ran around the empty house screaming, so I thought I would go and scream for joy at my neighbours next door Jenny. We screamed and laughed flopping down on the sofa looking at each other, simultaneously “who are you going with?” To my “who am I going with?” I just couldn’t believe it I had never won anything before ever for writing, so it was exhilarating yet depressing at the same time, realising that your a widow on your own with a child who would ever take you on and how could you expect any man to take your baggage on?

Auden put his head in the room and said “finished that Jenny,” Jenny thanked him and he left. He had strong Derbyshire accent they had come from Derbyshire all their life born and bred. His voice was soft and gentle and spoke with a love in his heart for his sister, so he was a loving man with emotional qualities, which was nice as most men hide their feelings and act all matcho and Manly especially around a single woman.

I was on my front lawn doing the Gardening as usual on a Saturday, my daughter lilya had a Disney Tape on and sat watching her favorite movies, and it was gardening for me and my old Labrador Spruce. Lilya decided she would play with next doors neighbour karel on the front Lawn with the Barbies and Dolls house, beautiful hot day. I was getting quite a tan. Daddy Daddy ! Lilya shouted! I Looked up and it was Auden standing there, I stared into his eyes for what seemed like an hour but was a couple of seconds, No No ! Sweetheart that’s Auden Jenny’s brother. I was so embarrassed, “Sorry have you seen Kalen? “ she is in the Shed. That was it it he was gone.

We were into the evening and Jenny and I were drinking vodka and coke just a small one as it was a perfect end to a summer’s hot day, I began my inquisition on Auden, does he work then Auden? “Yes he’s a bin man” oh right I replied.

I went to bed I thought rubbish collection, a bin man, waste disposal! No dressed in an office suit like that! Anyway I thought who else would I ask, I could ask Jenny to look after Spruce for the week and it would give me a chance to see if there was any possibility with Auden coming on the holiday with us, he has the most beautiful green eyes you ever laid eyes on, I saw into the depth of his soul. I knew he had been badly hurt in the past and was happy being alone. I saw he was mind game player and would also break my heart one day in two, yet I still asked the question.

Jenny do you think Auden would come on this Lovers Holiday with me as a guest.? She looked mortified like I had just asked her to pay for my weeks shopping. Well he’s been single for 6 years and had a terrible time with his last partner, whom he has a daughter with. Can’t you just ask though he can only say yes or no.

He said no! No to me! The bin man, waste collector, who had the most terrible dress sense, why was he wearing a suit pants and a shirt and tie when he peered into my garden, why do I keep seeing his beautiful green sad hurt eyes. I needed to know about him. I was angry and hurt he said no because I’m not used to anyone saying no to me not bragging or bigging myself up but I always usually get what I want, that’s working for it too. I know I will ask if he wants to go out for a drink sometime. Then I could get to know him.

The answer was yes he would take me for a drink at the weekend but the one after next. Mmm who does he think he is calling all the shots I might not be free!! I liked him I just had to admit it I liked him, there was something about him.

We went for a drink it was disastrous; I told him to just drive me straight home and I never want to see him again.! (He said I was too forward for him!) well how could he call me a whore.

Henny was straight round what the hell happened? why did you just treat my brother like this? I explained he called me a whore! No he didn’t she said he meant you are too intelligent for him he is not as intelligent as you and he thought that may get in the way and obviously the language barrier does. He wants to go on the Holiday with you, Lord only knows why? Your judgemental, arrogant, and darn right obstinate at times.

THE HOLIDAY

We arrived it was everything it said it was going to be and more. I instantly checked for the playgroups and sessions, so we could work around those. We all had our own beds although Lilya will sneak in with me. She went in the playgroup and we listened to the rep with the usual speel of excursions with them and how they were the best on the island but I didn’t book anything, rather go out and meet the locals and go to the local excursion office and chat with them not only do they know more, but you save so much more, pela latched onto us as we began walking and wanted to be our guide for a small price, I shook hands with him and hey pronto we could get all around by the experts that actually live,eat,sleep and rely on a living from us tourists to survive.

Auden just kept looking at me with those beautiful green eyes but didn’t really say much, it was kinda like he was tagging along on this holiday. How do I play damsel in distress so he feels better about helping I thought? So I started to take a step back and asked him could he plan the day as I wasn’t feeling too good. Wow next thing I know breakfast in bed with coffee, Lilya in playgroup. What else shall I do he asks? I replied “something that you would like to do and I will just tag along “ He looked excited looking through the phamphlet and I loved his persona to his perspiration, he smelt like a real man and with deodorant and aftershave he was edible and bedable. I didn’t know what to do with myself I’m on this exotic island and I’m falling in love with a man who doesn’t have a clue. I don’t care what job he has or what anything it’s limerick’s it’s limerick’s it will pass, my heart is racing away; my hairs stand up on my arms and back of the kneck as he passes. I find when we are out around the bar on an excursion I’m not talking I’m shouting, oh somebody help me. I heard you shout when talking if there is someone close you are wanting to mate with. What am I a animal? Mate with! Oh I can’t go through this again it’s too painful because the love you feel for this person just make sure it is reciprocated as that love will be the pain cut deep you feel if it isn’t.

I rang my Mother for help she laughed. I rang Jenny , she laughed. Right that’s it.

AUDEN, yes! oh sorry if I seem loud only I need to confess something that I am developing quite strong feelings for you and need to know how you feel about this? Well funny you should say that and he pulled out the most beautiful ring I ever did see, it was a diamond and ruby engagement ring and he bent on one knee and asked would I marry him? 🙌 absolutely I said. We married on the island pela organised it with the local pastor and friends and family, it was the romantic wedding and honeymoon in Barbados and I came back Mrs Hempton. We celebrated it close enough into mardi gra, hoping everyone has a safe and happy one too.