When you go on holiday, you miss a portion of your everyday life.
As we departed on the train, I whatsapped Caroline, 'I'm so sorry I'm not around on your birthday. I'll get your card etc to you on our return.
''Don't worry, I'm not around either. ' Simon and she were babysitting grandson Zac so their daughter and son-in-law could attend a wedding.
On the day of Caroline's birthday we were staying at the Bluebell in Cocking We had been warned the kitchen was shut for the evening.
'Just take the bus into Midhurst.
'The bus into Midhurst worked fine. Except that it was the last bus of the day. When we went into a pub for an aperitif, we asked about taxis. They gave us four numbers, but a woman waiting to be served said, 'You won't get a taxi now. There's a big do on.'
As she predicted,, all the taxis were fully booked. We rang the Bluebell and explained our plight. One of the bar staff answered and kindly offered to come and get us. But she didn't want to hand over her number, so the arrangement felt precarious.
We were still fretting when we entered Fratelli's restaurant. It therefore took me a moment to realise that the tall man approaching me with outstretched arms was Simon. And there at a nearby table was Caroline, with Zac in a high chair. We joined them.
It turned out the big do that was occupying all the taxis was the wedding their daughter was at. Not only was it brilliant to see Caroline and Simon and Zac, and to wish Caroline Happy Birthday in person, but they reassured us that if our lift didn't turn up, they'd run us back. Which meant we could relax and enjoy our serendipitous evening.
In the meantime, the woman who'd told us there'd be no taxis turned up with husband and son and occupied the next table. After Simon and Caroline left, she asked us what was going on. She was puzzled that our friends had finished their dinner whereas we had barely started. When we explained the coincidence of us converging from far-off St Alban's, she looked like she didn't quite believe us.
And I'm not sure I believe it myself!
(And in case you're wondering, the bar person from the Bluebell did come and fetch us!)
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