My dear friend

Keith's Ramblings

As soon as I saw the photo prompt, my mind took me back to 2008 and I piece I wrote about a person who made a lasting impression on me.

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Several years ago I ran a restaurant in Eastbourne’s theatre district. Daily we entertained entertainers, somewhere stars of stage and screen could relax and wind down after an evening treading the boards.

Ask any of my staff and they’d tell you who the greatest star was. Not a celebrity in the true sense of the word, but his almost daily presence at the Stage Door Bistro made more of an impression than all of the idols added together.

Professor Britten was a man of some seventy years who appeared older due to failing health. As his taxi arrived, there’d be a rush to be the one to help him across the pavement to our door. I can still see him in his double breasted Saville Row suit, floppy bow tie and glossy patent leather shoes. On his head a wide brimmed Amish hat. In his hand, an ivory topped cane.

Once inside he’d perch on bar stool from where he’d sit and flirt with my girls!

‘My dear friend’ he’d say as I approached. He always called me that.

Sometimes we’d take him home to his small apartment where he spent his days surrounded by teetering towers of text books and piles of academic papers. His writings helped teach the children who attended his beloved Montessori schools.

He died too soon, he still had so much to give. The last thing he ever said to me was ‘Goodbye my dear friend’.

He was buried in a cardboard coffin beneath a tree.

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Thanks to Jenne Gray and C.E.Ayr for hosting The Unicorn Challenge

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40 thoughts on “My dear friend”

  3. Dale's avatar Dale Jan 27, 2024 / 14:33

    What a lovely share, Keith. There are people who leave lasting impressions in our lives. He was definitely one for yours.

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  4. jenne49's avatar jenne49 Jan 27, 2024 / 14:51

    Lovely story, Keith – all the more so for being true.
    Thanks for sharing that.

    Liked by 2 people

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    • Keith's Ramblings's avatar Keith's Ramblings Jan 28, 2024 / 17:41

      Thank you so much, Jenne – thanks too for providing me with the opportunity.

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  10. beth's avatar beth Jan 27, 2024 / 22:13

    What a beautiful story of someone who made such a difference in people’s lives

    Liked by 1 person

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  11. Doug Jacquier's avatar Editor, Witcraft Jan 27, 2024 / 22:30

    Great memory, Keith. Who knows where the fickle finger of fate (or Unicorn prompts) will take us.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  13. hilarymb's avatar hilarymb Jan 28, 2024 / 14:24

    Hi Keith – I suspect the bistro was bustling and much better when you were there. I haven’t ever been in very often – and I suspect not when you were the landlord … but it looked then really well kept and cheerful … I walk past most days … or very nearly … cheers Hilary

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    • Keith's Ramblings's avatar Keith's Ramblings Jan 28, 2024 / 19:02

      Happy days! I was there from beginning to end having come up the concept. As you know, its a Thai restaurant now. The Buccaneer pub waited until my right to the name expired, then took it for themselves much to my disappointment.

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      • hilarymb's avatar hilarymb Jan 29, 2024 / 14:00

        I think ‘I’m lost’ … I’m still not exactly sure where it was … but do understand the irritation re the Buccaneer Pub taking your name once expired … take care – cheers H

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  14. clark's avatar clark Jan 28, 2024 / 21:49

    the coolest thing about this whole blogosphere/writing-thing?
    we are, on occasion, offer a glimpse into another person’s world and for, even a brief moment share something.

    v cool

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    • Keith's Ramblings's avatar Keith's Ramblings Jan 29, 2024 / 11:19

      Indeed it is Clark. As time goes by you get to know them better, even if it is from a distance.

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  15. Margaret's avatar Margaret Jan 29, 2024 / 01:05

    Just lovely. It’s so good to have this glimpse into your life and memories. Thanks for sharing it. He must have been a delightful friend.

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Keith's Ramblings's avatar Keith's Ramblings Jan 29, 2024 / 11:22

      Thanks, Margaret. He was a wonderful person, loved not just by me, but by my staff and customers too. He had no family around him which is why his almost daily visits were so important to him.

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  16. ceayr's avatar ceayr Jan 30, 2024 / 09:32

    Cool tale of a very cool dude.
    And a cool bistro, too!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  17. Michael B. Fishman's avatar Michael B. Fishman Jan 31, 2024 / 13:22

    This was a beautiful memoir and an even more beautiful tribute. Thanks for sharing this and helping us all get to know a little bit about Professor Britten.

    Liked by 1 person

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