Audrey loves to chase birds in the park – especially the big black crows that flap and fly away and laugh at her from the plane trees beyond the long grass. She has of course yet to catch one.
This morning she startled a wood pigeon that was quietly minding its own business pecking at the cold ground on the path at the entrance to the children’s play area. In making its escape it flew directly into her; she was knocked on to her back and a pathetic yelp of canine dismay was released amidst the chaos of fur and feather.
She twisted on to her feet and hastily retreated to the relative safety of the area between my feet. ‘I have decided not to chase any more birds, father,’ her big brown eyes informed me. ‘I believe them to be rather annoying and unpredictable creatures.’
I dusted off her long back. ‘I know exactly what you mean, Audrey.’
On the way home we passed a woman with a face so wry and lovely that it was scored instantaneously into my permanent memory: I was falling in love again.
On the Fantastic hi-fi today:
Fortress Round My Heart – Ida Maria
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