I missed the big event; for me there was no hymn sung from Magadalen Tower twenty thousand people failed to surround me as the choral boys provided seven minutes of heaven on earth, the Morris Men consisted of one man off for his breakfast, bells jingling as he crossed Beaumont Rd. What I did see was the aftermath. Oxford was oddly silent in a normal noise kind of way. It hang heavily in the air despite the mass of people walking down Cornmarket St. Sainsburys in Magdalen St was deserted of its usual student shoppers.
I ambled through the mass of roads when from behind me a cultured voice ‘This girl will hide me as I undo my flies.’ I looked around and there behind me a modern blond Apollo; steady on his feet, an infectious grin across his face. I couldn’t help but smile back; walking with him another god, this one dark haired and avoiding eye contact.
‘Like this?’ I asked spreading my arms wide.
Apollo’s companion walked ahead studiously heading for somewhere.
‘Thank you’ Apollo beamed as he redressed himself, tucking his white shirt into his very well fitting jeans. ‘Whe’re you heading?’ There was a slight slur in his voice.
‘I thought I’d have a late breakfast.’
‘You’re not having breakfast here are you?’ We were now outside Cafe Rouge.
‘Why not?’
‘They just want to take your money, souless.’
‘Where would you suggest?’
‘Broadway, Fulham. The’re two one’s better than the other. You should go to the best one.’
‘I think it’s a bit far for me to go for breakfast this morning.’ The smile stretched across my face. ‘Are you at college here?’
‘No visiting, I live in Fulham; used to be a student at Brookes, in the Business School.’
‘I’m at Ruskin, taking English. I’m a writer.’
‘Yes.’ He paused, shook his head, ‘Where’s Ruskin?’
Laughing I answered him ‘Here in Oxford, has close ties with Brookes.’
We walked on a few more steps; Apollo stopped ‘I’m Bertie Tweeble. What’s yours?’
‘Do you want my real name or a made up one?’ His face creased, the smile dropping, I smiled at Bertie, ‘Karen Freeman.’ Bertie extended his hand and took mine; a cool firm handshake.
‘That’s my friend Charlie.’ Charlie was six paces ahead of us.
We turned the corner into Walton St. Charlie entered a phone box.
‘There should be a ‘Lamb and Flag’ ’round here.
‘There’s a ‘Jude the Obscure’ and ‘Jericho Tavern’.’
‘Whe’re they?’
‘You can see them from here.’
‘Can I sing you a song? It’s not rude or anything.’ He pulled out his silver Blackberry.
I nodded as he dialled a number on his phone.
‘I’m supposed to be meeting a girl.’ He leaned close, his warm breath on my ear ‘dippidy do dah dippidy day, my oh my what a wonderful day I brought the last round, he brought the last, now its your turn to go to the bar. Hello? ... Where are you? ...Opposite the Post Office? ...Where’s that? ...I’d like to meet you in person not just have a voice conversation. ...Near ‘Brown’s’? ...Okay.’
‘Must go’ he looked sheepish and took my hand, pulling me towards him. He bent his head and planted his lips on mine. ‘Bye angel Karen.’
As he turned away, Charlie joined him, I heard Bertie say ‘she could have been fun.’
