Claire who was from a neighbouring village
And 18 months his senior
First set eyes on Jaimie at a local hop
They got on famously from the first time their eyes met
Jamie’s other best friend was ‘Baa’ the family sheepdog
They would spend hours on end
Walking through meadows fair
He could tell ‘Baa’ all life’s secrets
Knowing they were safe with him
Jaimie was being groomed
For a life which was indeed alien to him
Even though he had just past his 18th year
In his heart he knew
This farming life was not for him
Schooling and mixing
Outside the family circle
Gave him a glimpse of what life
Could be like in the world outside
He was an only child
Mothered and smothered
Living in isolation
In an isolated part of the country
Hoping against hope
His parents tried their living best
To keep him at home
That Christmas,
With extended family gathered
At the ‘Last Supper’
He felt distanced from all conversation
Picked at the feast placed before him, hungry only
For what lay in wait
His mind made up on what his next move
Would be
He wrote that note
Close by neighbours unaware of his actions
Under cover of darkness, took his leave
When eventually the boat docked
A whole new world opened up for him
Felling nervous, excited and breathless
At the thought of being free
Of thumb and apron string
He left his sea legs on board
Back pack strapped firmly in place
Left down his suitcase with a firm thud
They stood for what seemed an eternity
Lost in each others arms
Claire had left home sometime before him
They were far from strangers
Their families left behind
Ignorant of this couples intentions
They were to put matters right in the days following
His mother
Now a broken woman
Left it way too late to show her inner feelings
Father, unable to do so at any time
She visited his room nightly
In its silence
Sobbed
All he left her was that note
Which had an added PS
Those apron strings were choking me
Love Jaimie.
(c) Chris Black 2017.
*Thank you Marie Hunter Atwood – gardengirl761.wordpress.com
I hope the your prompt for a sequel worked.
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