​

 

 

 

 

 

​

​

 

 

​

​

 

 

​

 

 

 

 

                                                    

- I -

 

 

Aunt Evelyn was a proud woman who always dressed immaculately, who prided herself on her youthful figure.  Aunt Evelyn exercised regularly, walking five miles a day, and kept her diet healthy.

 

Aunt Evelyn was a proud woman.

 

Sandra had come to stay with her after her sister had died at an early age.  To Aunt Evelyn’s chagrin, Sandra took after her mother, being plump and uncoordinated.  Despite her many efforts, Sandra did not seem to be inclined to change her ways.

 

However, in her heart, Aunt Evelyn did love Sandra though she rarely gave her praise.  Close observations of that May Day would have witnessed a tear being wiped away.

 

Pride.

 

 

 

- II -

 

 

After that day things returned to normal as Sandra knew they would.  Only in her memory did time stand still.

 

For one day she had been majestic.  However, her reign had come to an end.

 

*

**

 

Aunt Evelyn prided herself on her Yorkshire puddings.  Sunday was the only day she gave into temptation and treated them both to a proper, traditional lunch.

 

Sandra always enjoyed it but then, Sandra always enjoyed food.

 

So, it was with irritation that Aunt Evelyn answered the door.  She could not understand how someone could interfere with their weekly traditions.

 

It had better be worth it.

 

*

**

 

“Sandra, it’s for you”.

 

*

**

​

Outside the circle, outside his gang, he was actually rather shy.  That was why Rodney surrounded himself with people, hiding in a crowd.

 

Today he just wanted to be seen – to be seen with Sandra asking simply if they could go for a walk.  Sandra immediately abandoned her food, her beloved food, and grabbed her coat.

 

Aunt Evelyn’s protests could be heard following her exit.

 

Close observation would reveal the tear wiped from her eyes.

 

 

 

- III -

 

 

Sandra only ever wore a white dress twice in her life.  Once, when the vicar had crowned her the May Queen and now today when the vicar, Clifton Maybank, was conducting her marriage service for her marriage to Rodney.

 

*

**

 

She had been Queen for a day.

 

*

**

Now she would be Queen for the rest of her life.

 

*

**

 

You didn’t have to observe too closely to see the stream of tears flowing down Aunt Evelyn’s cheeks.

 

 

 

Aunt Evelyn was a proud woman.

​