I woke with a start this morning and realised I'd completely forgotten St. Valentine Day. I prayed to the watch that it didn't confirm the date. It did. Bugger. Without disturbing her and without washing I dressed and tiptoed downstairs. This day can still be rescued I thought as I wrapped up warm in my jogging hat, heavy coat and gloves.
The dog was an added complication but also my savour. Without him, I'd have slept on but his plaintive bark had roused me with minutes to spare. I gathered his leash and a black plastic bag and stuffed a wallet in my pocket.
I opened the door to the warmest February 14th in living memory. Too late to change gear we set off on his morning walk and I held myself back from dragging him onwards as time ticked bye for this walk was his one outing of the morning and every pole and patch of grass held untold secrets to his nose. Finally, we reached the turn and started the return leg that took us past his regular drop zone, a secondary school. Still, I was preoccupied with how to return with a suitably romantic present for my loved one. Then he did it. "Happy St Valentines day," I said to myself as I collected the load which was squidgy and warm inside my bag. Next stop the garage forecourt and a waste bin I used for disposing of his offering.
This doggy event turned out also to be my savour. The smell was unmissable, coming from inside the garage building. Not pooh, no far from it. Emminating was the sweet smell of a Subway cafe, the fresh bread, good coffee and the breakfast 6" roll.
"Happy Valentines Day!" I announced as I pulled back the bedroom blinds and revealed the brilliant sun to a still slumbering woman. She rubbed her eyes, blinking and coming to terms with the new day. On her bedside table lay a mug of steaming coffee and a something wrapped in a white paper roll.
"Oh" she said "You shouldn't have" the words were blurted out before she saw properly the gift.
"NO REALLY, you shouldn't have!" she repeated in a less loving manner! My last minute gamble appeared to have failed. However even as she spoke the aroma of coffee and freshly cooked sausages, egg and rashers on soft white bread were creeping into her nostrils. She was actually hungry and it did smell good.
"That's another first my love, no one has ever bought me a Subway for a valentines gift." she said softly. "Happy Valentines Day - now let's get stuck in it - I'm starvin!"
'
The dog was an added complication but also my savour. Without him, I'd have slept on but his plaintive bark had roused me with minutes to spare. I gathered his leash and a black plastic bag and stuffed a wallet in my pocket.
I opened the door to the warmest February 14th in living memory. Too late to change gear we set off on his morning walk and I held myself back from dragging him onwards as time ticked bye for this walk was his one outing of the morning and every pole and patch of grass held untold secrets to his nose. Finally, we reached the turn and started the return leg that took us past his regular drop zone, a secondary school. Still, I was preoccupied with how to return with a suitably romantic present for my loved one. Then he did it. "Happy St Valentines day," I said to myself as I collected the load which was squidgy and warm inside my bag. Next stop the garage forecourt and a waste bin I used for disposing of his offering.
This doggy event turned out also to be my savour. The smell was unmissable, coming from inside the garage building. Not pooh, no far from it. Emminating was the sweet smell of a Subway cafe, the fresh bread, good coffee and the breakfast 6" roll.
"Happy Valentines Day!" I announced as I pulled back the bedroom blinds and revealed the brilliant sun to a still slumbering woman. She rubbed her eyes, blinking and coming to terms with the new day. On her bedside table lay a mug of steaming coffee and a something wrapped in a white paper roll.
"Oh" she said "You shouldn't have" the words were blurted out before she saw properly the gift.
"NO REALLY, you shouldn't have!" she repeated in a less loving manner! My last minute gamble appeared to have failed. However even as she spoke the aroma of coffee and freshly cooked sausages, egg and rashers on soft white bread were creeping into her nostrils. She was actually hungry and it did smell good.
"That's another first my love, no one has ever bought me a Subway for a valentines gift." she said softly. "Happy Valentines Day - now let's get stuck in it - I'm starvin!"
'
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