Sunday Scribblings - # 94 Fellow Travellers ...

Gradually they all left me, alone, to carry on the party. My fellow travellers, Lil, Flo, Rose, Doris, Ash, Jole … all gone. We'd wined and dined, opened and closed clubs and restaurants, socialised in style, did theatre, shows, Chain de Rotiseur dinners, rubbed shoulders with local and International ‘stars’.

They taught and encouraged me to mix Gordons Gin with Coke & a slice of Lemon and woe be tide anyone who tried to pass off cheap gin to me! The taught me about Vitamin B, before Berooca was invented, so I could drink them under the table again and again, to be outrageous, how to laugh and live like no other woman I knew. They taught me the benfits of a strong work ethic, to strive, succeed and survive, to be ambitious, if there was no drama to make some and how BS baffled brains.

They were all highly successful in their chosen careers, playing the straight game with me as the little woman when needed. They were all gorgeous and often looked more so in a pretty frock or a bejewelled gown. They all believed they were invincible. My girls thought it was normal to have fellas as Aunties.

They were better than any girlfriends I’d ever known. I had the best of both. Handsome male friends, who could see a woman’s point of view, plus good looking men to be spoilt by and be seen out with, how we chortled at that misinformed opinion of “what a waste!”

These Fellow Travellers supported me through the times, I didn’t know then, were full of despair, these Darlings saved my sanity, my life and planted the seeds of strength and knowledge to be who I am now!

I expect they’re gathered, keeping a seat warm for me, up in the big disco in the sky where every day is Fat Tuesday. Shame they don’t know they’ll be waiting a long time till I’m ready to travel that trip … I’ve retired. Sorry Darlings, I’m saving myself to clearly see decades more of this precious life, not through the bottom of a cool refreshing glass of happiness!!