Oh, what a relief, I thought as I entered the pub, there is a table free in the corner by the window. I do so hate to have to ask if I can share a table with strangers, and Doris thinks the new strangers might be Germans at that. I went up to the bar, “A glass of sweet sherry, please.”

“Large or small, love?”

“Oh, large, I think, thank you.” And giving him the exact right change, I took the schooner over to the spare table, and settled in.

The place was bustling with life. I could see Jane sitting there with that stranger, the Australian, Peter or whatever he called himself. They seemed very chatty and friendly. I wonder if something was going on there.

I had told Doris my thoughts about the young man of course. And Doris said she thought there was a resemblance, but not that he was a spitting image. Of course, Doris was one of those who had had an unexplained leave of absence when she was 15.

“He’s taller and his hair is lighter, and his skin is darker,” she said.

“Good grief, girl,” I said. “He’s an Aussie. Of course his skin is dark and his hair is light. They have year around sun there. And as for being taller, well, I expect the sun helps them grow too, just like it does with the flowers. And of course,” I added, rather slyly, “he might look something like his mother, whoever she was.” I think she blushed, but of course she never admitted that she was one of those on whom the Lord’s bountiful seed had fallen and produced fruit.

I sipped at my sherry and gradually began to relax. These young people today, they think that they invented sex. That’s all they think or talk about, and it’s all they do. I can tell by their expressions when they talk to me that they think I don’t know what they are on about. They see the grey in my hair and notice my limp due to the arthritis in my knee and write me off as an old biddy. 

But when I saw that strange young man the other day, it really made me stop and remember. That Lord Nascent, he was really something special. And we did have a good time in those days. I remember that time in the barn when we played strip snap. I was so innocent in those days. I got quite an education. Not that my John (may he rest in peace) didn’t have his attributes too, but somehow the first one always leaves a lasting impression. When I sent my note to the new Lady Nascent, I told her, truthfully, that I wouldn’t be one of those who had had his babies, but that doesn’t mean we didn’t have a good time trying. Those were the days. I couldn’t help smiling, remembering one particularly vivid night when perhaps a bit too much drink had been taken.

I glimpsed out of the window, and was taken aback. Surely that was the new Lady Nascent out there, peering through the window. How very strange. Surely she should either come in and make herself known, or keep right away in her ivory tower, so to speak. But then I saw Jim Child come out and make a play for her, and then, my goodness, it was almost too much to take in, Lady Nascent hit Jim with her torch in a very tender place, and he certainly knew it.

But now my interlude was interrupted as another large sherry was pushed towards me. “You will have another, won’t you? Is anyone sitting here?”