Number 6 - Valentines +

Pete and I never worry about Valentine's Day - in the 44 years we have known each other, he's sent me one Valentines card. I still have it - it says something like "I don't care if you're egotistical, difficult, hard to live with ..... I'm going to love you anyway!"

So I decided that this year I would invite him out for a Valentine's Day drink.  The only problem was, I had masses of work to do on Valentine's Day - a chapter of a textbook which was supposed to be with the publisher by start of business on Monday morning.  And it was proving hard to write.

I looked around for places we could go to and drink a quiet glass of champagne, out in the fresh air, in the evening.  Sadly, there are so few places that are safe to go to as it is getting dark.  Even the Botanical Gardens were out - they were closed for a concert.  I thought of going up to St Matthew's to sit in the garden, but that seemed a bit are when we have a lovely garden ourselves.

I decided that as we'd decided to share our dates with people we loved, that I'd invite our special friends, Rod and Fi, to join us.  And then I enlisted the aid of Kev.  he was to bring out a bottle of champagne and 4 glasses and serve us a glass of champagne.  And then I decided to add a few nibbles from Woolies.  But it was still simple.

Then Kev came to the party.  He decided the bench in the garden was too plebian - we should sit under the pergola which is covered with sweetheart roses.  He got the pressure cleaner and blasted all the grunge off the concrete bench.  He carried a rustic table and some chairs down to the pergola.  He wouldn't let me put a cloth on the table - he said the rust made it more romantic. He decided we needed lights - so strung outdoor fairy lights around the pergola.  He found candles and lit those.

Timing was of the essence - I'd asked Rod and Fi to come at 5.30 and the cricket was due to finish then as well.  Luckily SA won just before 5.30 and as Rod and Fi arrived, Pete got up to let them in, having watched the prize giving.  He was a bit taken aback, not knowing I had invited them and not really liking surprises.  (I think they are good for him .... )

So we spent an evening out in the garden, dodging the drizzle now and then, drinking Krone Night Nectar and sharing the usual sort of conversations we have with Rod and Fi - but with Kev as part of it too.

As I said to Sarah the next day, only a really nice 18 year old would bother to go to so much trouble for something he probably thought was a bit stupid, if not gross - his ancient grandparents having a romantic evening -but that's what Kev is - a nice boy.

So happy Valentine's day to all lovers and friends and family.  And Pete may have forgiven me .......