"Living in a purpose built block of flats for the over 50's can be a bit daunting unless you are the type to socialise and let you hair down a bit" I said to Julie who was on about feeling lonely in her small single flat.
I was lucky because I have a double flat, my wife passed away some five years ago so I am left with the memories.
"Did you love her, Ben?" Julie asked out of the blue as I was bending down in my vegetable plot to tend to the extraordinary growth of groundsel weed.
"Well we were married forty years" I replied with some trepidation - puzzling as to why she asked such a question.
"I wouldn't mind helping in the garden," she said unexpectedly and I said it would be better if she helped me in my allotment because there was much more work there, and she could enjoy some of the produce too.
But what was I saying, who would have thought I was encouraging a new relationship here?
A broad smile came over her face and there was I backtracking on what I had said. She immediately took up the offer after which I was 'treated' to a rendition of her life, how she was once a primary school teacher, how she had been twice married and how she missed having a man about the place. (Hint -hint methinks.)
I watched and listened but my mind was being carnal. I missed the warmth, the love and the feel of a good woman and Julie was a very attractive lady for her age and not to be sneezed at. And she was slim and cuddable and I had a feeling she could be very passionate.
Anyway to cut a long story short she joined me in my car to drive five miles to my allotment where I showed her my plot.
"I see what you mean about it being a very large size" Julie said and me having that sort of mind felt certain she was looking down at my crotch when she said that! (Or maybe I was hoping!)
I showed her the late flowering purple sprouting broccoli in which she took a special interest; "What a lovely colour" she said.
"A good flavour too" I put in.
"Mmm Can I take some when we go. Ben?"