A Dream in the Palm of My Hand
Monday, 10 January
Caught the Tube this morning like any other day. I slid into an empty seat and gave the carriage a once-over, the way Anna always teases me about: James and that hawkish stare again! Honestly, I have no idea what she means. Sure, I size people upbut who doesnt? Are hawks supposed to be judgemental, aloof, self-assured, or maybe just slightly disdainful? When I ask my mates, they just laugh it off.
Mind the gap
I barely cracked an eyelid, just to see whod come aboard, then shut them again. Funny, isnt it? Anna says her friends meet people all the time on the Tube. I never seem to spot anyone promising, though.
Eventually, my stop was announced. I stood, shuffled towards the exit when the doors slid open, and climbed out.
Got to the bus stop, but the place was deserted. FiguresId missed it by minutes. Fine, I thought, Ill walk it. The sky was brisk, and London was actually tolerable for once.
Excuse me! Your shoelace! Someone called out behind me. A man, about forty, gestured towards my trainers.
He was right. I knelt down to tie it, already guessing what would come next. Sure enough, as soon as I straightened, he lingered helpfully.
Laces, eh? Nothing but trouble. If you leave them undone, you step on them and ruin your day, but once theyre muddy and you try to tie them, its a nightmare.
I smiled at his attempt to be gallant. Well, thanks for the heads-up.
I turned towards home and he matched my stride.
Mind if I walk with you? Im David, by the way.
Alright. Im James.
I couldve refused, honestly. He wasnt my typebit too old, to start with. Still, my mates always say you never know how things turn out at first. So, I let him walk with me.
We chatted as we walked, but to be honest, I was bored stiff. So when we neared my cul-de-sac, I veered off towards Annas flat, knowing the code to her building.
Thanks, David, Im practically home, I said.
Can I have your number, then? Maybe meet up sometime?
I gave it to himits not like everyone who asks ever calls anyway. I ducked inside, waited a few minutes, then slipped back out and made my way home.
Mum, guess whos here! Mum called as soon as I opened the door. Coat off, come on in. Weve company. Remember Auntie Margaret from my old job? Shes popped round at last! And this is her son, Edward.
Nice to meet you, I said, glancing at Edward who gave me the same once-over Id given everyone else on the Tube.
What you see is what you get, I thought, though I kept quiet and offered the obligatory smile. I wasnt sure if Edward fancied me or not. I knew immediately I wasnt attractedhe was pudgy, receding hairline. Not fully bald, but heading that way. Still, maybe if he talked, hed surprise me.
Mum plopped me down next to him, poured tea all round, and Auntie Margaret launched into a full-on monologue about how marvellous Edward was.
I smiled, nodded along, catching Mums eye, begging for explanation. Why hadnt she warned me about this? Who even was Margaret? Why this performance?
Mum kept her gaze everywhere but at me.
Auntie Margaret kept talking. Edward stayed silent. Eventually, I grew more restless than ever.
Edward, I said finally, Fancy a walk round the block? Let the mums reminisce?
Oh yes, go stretch your legs! Auntie Margaret chirped.
I led the way outside. Where to? Left, right, or just a bench?
Lets sit, he shrugged.
Fine by me. I quizzed him about work and hobbies, but he barely responded. He didnt so much as ask about me. Conversation went nowhere, so I shut up, and so did he.
Well, that was enlightening, I thought.
After a quarter-hour of radio silence, I suggested we head back. He wordlessly followed.
James, Edward wants to ask you out next Saturday at three. Will you go? Auntie Margaret announced as soon as we came in.
I choked on my tea. A date? Arranged by his mum? Is she coming too?
Everyone stared at me, waiting. I could only nod helplessly.
When they left, I turned to Mum.
Mum, what on Earth was that?
Oh, dont start. Your dad and I want grandkids, you know! Im introducing you to all the decent sons I know, and you
At least warn me next time? I said, mildly. I hated these match-up schemes but arguing would get me nowhere.
She was primed for a row. Why dont you like anyone, James? Not even Edward?
He didnt say a word to me, Mum! Imagine living that wayitd be nothing but awkward silences. Separate lives under one roof. What kind of family is that?
She sighed.
Well, at least go to the date. Hes probably not himself around his mum.
Alright, I promise.
The dateif you could call it thatwas a disaster. Edward showed up, looked me in the eye and said, Ready to come back to mine?
I was baffled. Excuse me?
You heard me.
Sorrywhy?
He chuckled, Well, youre single and its been ages, right?
I blushed scarlet. No thanks. Goodbye, Edward.
I stormed to the Tube, half expecting him to jog after me if he was joking. He didnt.
What was all that about? I wondered, annoyed.
If likes attract likes, where does that leave me? Nowhere, thats where.
Enough messing about with blokes, I decided. Ill just live my life.
Winter rolled in. We were all looking forward to Christmas and New Years.
Are you doing any fortune-telling this Christmas? Anna asked me.
I hadnt planned on it. Why?
Come on, you have to! You never know!
Oh, I dont believe in all that.
Neither do I. Still give it a go.
I just laughed, but that evening, I figuredwhy not try once?
Mum, ever do the old Christmas fortune tricks? I asked.
Of course, she answered. You fill a bowl with water, place a pencil across it like a bridge, then just before sleep, say Show me my destined one, lead me across.
And?
And thats it!
Thats it? I was disappointed. You never stared into the mirror? Arent you meant to see their face?
No, that creeped me out!
Fair enough. I decided to go with Mums method. Slipped a ruler over a bowl of water under the bed, muttered the phrase, and called it a night.
I slept and, next thing I knew, it was morning. The flat was emptyeveryone had run off and left me. I was already late to work, but I figured there was no point rushing. Ten minutes later my client called, saying the contract was ready and needed picking up straightawaynow I had the perfect excuse for being late.
That evening Mum smiled, Did you dream about anyone, then?
I did, actually! Youll laughI was in the middle of a desert, parched, when I spotted a battered old coach. There was a driver inside. He gave me a drink and drove me off.
A driver, huh? Oh James, couldnt you at least have dreamt about a millionaire?
We both cracked up.
Mum, its character that matters. Actually, before bed I was thinking about taking some refresher driving lessons, so maybe thats why. Next year Ill dream about a millionaire before I sleep, just for you.
Deal!
Honestly, I forgot all about the dream. I got on with my days. Mum even gave up matchmaking attemptsa miracle in itself.
One day, Anna at work asked, Got any holidays planned, James?
In May.
Same! Should we go together?
Where?
I want the beach, but its cold everywhere in May. She frowned.
Best bets the Med, maybe Cyprus.
Oh, Ive been. It was dull.
Did you cruise along the coast, see the ruins?
No.
Well, we could do a few days on the coast, hire a car, do some sightseeing. How about it?
I hesitated. Maybe
Then thought, why not? So we started planning our trip.
Holiday arrived and I was buzzing with excitement as the plane touched down.
We forgot something! Anna suddenly shrieked.
Eh? I asked.
The transfer! We didnt book the taxi to the hotel!
I waved her off. Relax. Therell be loads of cabs, its an airport!
Except there wasnt, really. Local drivers seemed to be vying for our bags, shouting in a language neither of us understood.
Whatll we do? Anna nearly panicked.
Dont lose your head! I said, feeling anything but calm.
Just then I spotted a manclearly Britishgetting into a car. Come on! I cried, dragging Anna over.
Wait! Please, dont go! I shouted, landing beside him all of a sudden. Can you take us to our hotel? Bet were going your way!
He looked from me to Anna, completely nonplussed.
Then the drivers door opened and a young man hopped out.
Ill pay anything, I said, desperate. Got any water?
He handed me a bottlespeaking perfect English. Hop in, well get sorted en route. We cant linger here. He smiled, ushering us inside.
What happened next was a blur: he dropped the other guy off, then took us to our hotel.
And staring at him, I realisedI knew him. He was the driver from my Christmas dream. Only, seeing him in the flesh, I was instantly drawn to him.
I tried to pay. He refused. Instead, he asked me for dinner. Then another date, and another. He joined us for the rest of our holiday. And when the week ended, he proposed, out of the blueand I said yes.
James, imagine if wed booked a transfer? Or missed catching up with your future husband at the airport? Anna laughed.
No, I grinned. It all had to happen this way. Thats fate for youyou cant fight it, so best let life surprise you.
Sometimes, when I reflect, I realise the best things come when you stop searching, trust your instincts, and keep your eyes openjust in case your dreams come true in the most unexpected places.
