Jed pushed his plate away......appetite gone, just like that day, 36 years ago?
Elbows pressed hard against the table, hair covered chin cradled between both hands, staring, misty eyes penetrated the vastness that lay ahead.
Would it, could it, have been different ?.............If only he hadn't been so cautious, such an pillar of society, so darned determined to do the right thing.
He should have bitten the bullet, after all he was no coward, everyone knew that. If only he'd taken that leap in faith, again, all understood he was a God fearing man. But.......it would have been such a risk............or would it? Life's so much easier with hindsight!
A tear began it's long journey, over weather beaten skin that covered a well defined cheek bone, he hadn't lost any of his rugged handsomeness.
The tear, somewhat smaller, having had to fight it's way through that silvery beard fell silently, finally being absorbed into the blue square of the pretty gingham cloth.
"Wakey wake, you were miles away, Oh Mr Butt's you've hardly eaten any of that toad-in-the-hole or the vegi. I know your not a sprout's man but the carrots are okay and they're new potatoes, well nearly!
Thelma laughed at her own joke but Jed struggled to raise a smile, feeling a bit resentful at being brought back to reality with such a bump.
If only he'd taken the plunge and said Yes instead of No on that bitterly cold, wet, 29th February 1976...........................
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