The old Woolworths store br was looking quite bleak br with its curved wooden windows br and slush in the street br and my Austin A 40 br was struggling for heat br as I waited for you br where we said we would meet br br The church clock chimed seven br ten minutes ago br you hadn't arrived br and I thought I should go br then from a side steet br you emerged with a man br who needed a lift br to your dinner and dance br br He said 'Hi I'm Jim br I hope it's no fuss' br 'Claire has just told me br you met on the bus' br 'And since I was going br and buses were late' br 'If you took me as well br it would really be great' br br It felt rather strange br you both in the back seat br as he rubbed his hands br you brushed snow off your feet br you asked 'when it's over br if I'd take you back home' br 'as you know my name's Claire' br 'what's your name'? 'I'm Joe' br br We headed off to the centre of town br I didn't say much br in fact I felt down br as you and Jim chatted br directing my moves br I felt I was eavesdropping br searching for clues br br We arrived at the venue br Jim said 'Thank you my son' br 'can you pick us up again br round about one' br you said 'see you later' br I thought I'm not sure br as you and Jim walked hand in hand br through the door. br br Continues on next page.br br Charles M.