Just after four o'clock, I'd had enough. I was hot, tired and my wrist was throbbing. I pulled the pin at the Gallery and went home. The air conditioning was so welcome as I opened the front door to the House that Rocks.
A call to Vanessa to catch up, a couple of text messages from Michael's cousin Faye and I was heading for our bed. The wind had risen, the storm was all around and I fell asleep to the dulcet tones of the pirate parrot calling Ruby...
An hour later the rain was still falling and the thunder's growling was fading away. Michael was home and reading the paper. However, there was a very distinct stillness and silence about the house. The power was out.
This is not an odd occurrence for Heavenly Beverley. We had once lost power for five memorable days after we'd moved to the town at the beginning of 2011. There was always a sneaking suspicion in the back of our minds that a power outage of that length could happen again.
The Western Power faults line was reassuring. Power to be restored by eight-thirty that evening. I opened up the house to the pleasant evening cool. The temperature had dropped so much I contemplated a cardigan!
A second calamity then unfolded. We had no vino. We considered our options. Eat late, eat by candlelight or go to the pub. Then we could eat and buy some vino. Damn the torpedoes; after a refreshing shower for Michael, we were out the door.
The top pub was pretty quiet, but we recognised Rob and his wife Linda, who lived in a hundred-year-old cottage on the Dale. They had been contemplating a trip to York to watch a movie. Outside. Bound to end with wet bottoms. They had abandoned this plan and headed for dinner at the pub instead.
As we talked, the penny dropped. Linda had bought the garden art horse for her grandchildren. Rob had painted our living room just prior to our wedding. We had not seen them together to associate them as a couple.
We had a great night. Photos of dogs came out, lives were compared and laughed about and our mutual affection for Beverley and her surrounds became quite evident between the four of us. We discussed children, chance meetings, relationships, houses, and renovations of course.
Having arrived at around six thirty, we had spent an unexpected and delightful evening, enjoying the company of Rob and Linda and getting to know them a bit better. And none of this would have unfolded if the thunderstorm hadn't taken out the power.
And when we arrived home, we could see the kitchen light was on. All was well in our world.
back wall with picture rail...
front wall with picture rail and paintings...
how Michael felt...
how he coped!
and his reward at the end of a very hot and trying day.
No comments:
Post a Comment