Nobody ever wakes up, and punches the air when they know a morning in Croydon awaits them. Well, nobody I know anyway.
Croydon to me has all the characteristics of what I imagine the love child of Katie Price and Keith Chegwin would end up like….
But this week it did provide a lovely (surprise) dose of fairy dust for me and my friend.
We were just pulling into East Croydon, where the glamour knows no bounds, when my phone started purring away in my bag…
“Hello.”
“Hi, Lu. It’s Rob Brooke! God, we can’t have spoken in nearly 2 years.”
“Rob? Is that you?! AMAZING to hear from you!”
“You too. And I know exactly where you are. You are just at East Croydon. Arriving for a 10am meeting.”
“Ermmm. How on earth….”
“I was meant to be going to a meeting at the building where your company is based, but there has been a screw up with days. So, as I was leaving I saw the list of companies on the wall – recognised where I remember you used to work, and asked if that was where you were based. They said no, but by coincidence you were due today at 10am.”
“Is this some sort of wind up?! I am never in that office. And you happen to be there the one day I get there?!”
“Yep.”
And he isn’t lying. It was fate in bucket loads.
When we get to the building – he is there waiting. Now, some people would either think a polite hug and general chit-chat would be fine. Or even maybe an internal groan, that you are going to have to quickly exchange the last 2 years of your life in around 2 minutes flat, when quite frankly you can’t be arsed.
But with Rob it is different. He is fantastic. The most optimistic, adventurous, straight-forward guy I have ever met. Chatting to him, makes you want more time with him – there is always a great story up his sleeve (this time it was how he chartered a yacht to Tahiti…as you do). And he is so carefree and relaxed you always secretly wish you took a few more risks in life – even more so than that sly packet of chocolate digestives that sneak into the shopping basket….
He has my friend Bexy and I spell-bound with the ease of his tone, his general attitude to life. And he acts so casual – it’s as if he has forgotten there has been 2 years past us by – it’s great. And in his laid back way he randomly agrees to travel back into London with us (“Why not” were his actual words)
“So, Rob – when we get to London Bridge. What are you going to do?”
“Hmm. I might phone my cousin Lee – he works off Oxford Street. I might take him for lunch.” (not even considering Lee might have plans of course.)
“Ok. Well, the best thing to do – jump on the jubilee line to Bond Street. Takes minutes. Call me if you have any problems….”
And after hugs and goodbyes – he leaves Bexy and I both vowing (a lot) to spend the day trying to be just a touch more like him.
I never did get a call from him when he got to Bond Street. For all I know he has made a group of friends on the tube and they are all having a party in some random / obscure place….all the while poor Lee is still waiting to have lunch bought for him.
I probably wont hear from Rob for another 2 more years – but already I can’t wait……
insearchofthefairydust
