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I try not to reuse stories from the past, but now and again one begs to make another appearance – this is a drastically reduced version of something I wrote several years ago.
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He’d spend his day surrounded by teetering towers of textbooks and piles of academic papers – except for lunchtime when he’d appear at my bistro, climb onto a bar stool and flirt with my girls whilst enjoying a snack!
I can still see him in his double breasted suit, bow tie and patent leather shoes. ‘My dear friend’, he’d say as I approached. He always called me that.
He died too soon, he still had so much to give. The last thing he said to me was ‘Goodbye, my dear friend’.
He was buried in a cardboard coffin under a tree in a copse.
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It’s Friday ‘Factioneers’ for me this week! Froggie is standing in for the prof outside my bistro in Eastbourne. Click him to visit the squares.
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Back in 2017 I wrote a piece about the Stage Door and the myriods of celebrities we entertained! The names will be familiar to British readers but not necessarily to those from far afield as they were mainly stars of UK television shows. Happy days! If you’re interested, it’s HERE!
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Thanks to Rochelle for hosting Friday Fictioneers
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PHOTO PROMPT © Lori Wilson
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OMG. I went back and read your old post. Can’t believe I commented back then, which means I have been following you for several years – and yet neither of us has aged. A miracle.
Haha, I wondered if you might, now I’m waiting fot Mimi to take a look too!
A miracle indeed!
This is wonderful, dear Keith …. as is your post from Oct 2017 …. just 1 month after I started with WordPress. What a fun and informative read! Thanks for the share.
Thanks so much, Nancy, I got a lump in my throat reading it again after all these years!
I’m not surprised. ☺️
Dear Keith,
What a dapper man. At least he maintained the appearance. A sweet story. I will go back and read your other story. I did skim it but didn’t recognize names, of course. However, these days with Downton Abbey, Bridgerton, and Call the Midwife, I’m recognizing more and more actors from across the pond. Many thanks for sharing them with us.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Thanks, Rochelle, ! didn’t know those dramas were available down your way!
A sad story. I browsed through your earlier post. Could only recognise Dr. Watson.
Elementary dear Geeta!
Goodbye is always such sweet sorrow….
Indeed it is
He sounded very missable. You can’t always say that about people. Nicely done.
Nice post Keith.
Thanks so much, Di.
You’re welcome
There are those patrons who leave a mark – often because it is too brief! Lovely write and talk about a who’s who on your original post! Goodness. Limited number of names did I know but still.
Indeed there are. Given more words, I could have told you so much more about him and the wonderful work he did for the UK’s Montessori schools.
Thanks for dropping my old post.
aw, that’s sad –
😒 …it was.
Keith, a wonderful character study, and knowing it’s based on a real person makes it all the more precious.
Thanks Lisa, I only wish I could have expanded it a little more.
You’re welcome, and I believe you can if you wish. Maybe a part 2? Maybe a larger story to publish?
p.s. I just read the post at the link and commented. So very awesome you had those experiences. Looks like it was a lot of work but a lot of fun also.
Thanks so much for your comment, Lisa.
You’re very welcome.
Great description of the gent
He was a dapper chappie!
I do remember reading your earlier post and still say the same. You may regret selling but then we wouldn’t have your wonderful blog, you’d be too busy minding the Stage Door.
As for the professor, he sounds like one I would have enjoyed listening to in a classroom.
It was so sad to witness its decline after I left. It’s a Thai restaurant now.
He was on inspirational being, and the figurehead of all the Montessori schools in the UK.
A class guy till the end, it seems. Great story, Keith.
He was a joy to spend time with, the girls missed his wit so much!
Wonderful true story Keith- I’ve just read your original post it’s amazing and yes I knew most of the names🙌
Thank you Ange. Thanks too for taking the time and trouble to visit my old post.
A nice story Keith.
Thank you, Sadje.
You’re very welcome
All those wonderful actors over there!
There’d be a whole lot of new faces if I was still there today!
Incredibly poignant.
Thak you so much, Dawn.