The Darling Buds of May

When I first met my better half, I told her that there are some activities that she enjoys that I would not be sharing with her. Things like going to clubs, even when I was younger I really did not enjoy visiting clubs. But I have no problem with her going out and enjoying herself and this she has done. Although I have been tempted to put up a notice on the door for her, as a joke, saying: What Time do you call this.

Equally there are activities that she is involved in that I am more than willing to share with her. Not least is her interest in theatre. In my distant past I specialised in doing theatrical photography so I do have an interest in culture and arts myself, but it seems that some men will pretend to be interested. Thus, even when I was with her on Tuesday and she needed to go to the theatre to check on some last minute adjustments my better half was concerned I was bored by this, but I was not.

I explain this as last night I went to the opening night performance of The Darling Buds of May that my GF was performing in. I had not told her that I was going, as I was not sure that I could make it to the opening night, also I would not be able to hang around, not least because of the transport connections I needed to make to get back home. But I made it to the theatre and I saw her performing for the first time. Well the first time I have seen her in performance.

While I had to dash off to catch the train back I loved the performance and while at the station she called me and was in tears as previous BFs would not have made the effort or supported her in this way. But as I have constantly said, I am interested in what she is doing and that I would always try and support her in her endeavours. And I think that she has talent too.

While her part was a relatively small part, it was important to the story and I was impressed by her acting. I was equally impressed by the acting of the other participants too and even if my better half had not been in the play I would have enjoyed going to see the play anyway.

I will be going again as I will be meeting her mother. So if I start typing in falsetto you will know why. Next time though I will have the time to stay behind and properly share in her triumph and celebrate with her.

While I knew that her Exs had not been that supportive of her and her dreams, I was a little taken aback by the tearful, all be it happy tears, when I spoke to my better half while at the station. I realise that it may not always be possible for folks to be their to offer support, but I would have thought that if you care about a person you should also take an interest in what they do too. But it seems that is not the way some men think. This was illustrated by the rather crass comments of two young men who were on the platform with me when I was talking to K. As you can imagine we do have our sugary bits in our chat. This was overheard by them and they were taking the mickey out of me for this. Personally I just ignored this. Then while on the train I could here them talking, and their attitude towards women seemed like something from the dark ages.

Had it just been them talking together, I would have just ignored them but they were also calling out and making comments to other women on the train. And it was clear that these were upsetting other passengers as well. On woman even moved her seat to get away from them. It reached a point where I could not tolerate the behaviour any more and I stood up and said firmly but politely “How would they feel if someone spoke to their Sister or Mother in the way they were?”

While the reaction from them was not unexpected, what was that five other men also stood up and in a less than polite way told them to shut up. They did remain quiet for the rest of the journey. When I got off the train a young woman who got off at the same station thanked me for making her feel safe. We chatted as we walked to the bus station, and as she asked what I was doing on the train, I told her that I had been to Hexham to see my better half in a play. Dam, why are all the good ones taken? She said.

Well while its nice to be called a good one, I am just happy that I have found a woman who likes me for who I am and I can support and nurture to be herself. Then to round off a great night when I got off the bus and was walking towards home I heard a female Tawny Owl call. While I could not see her, when she called again the male answered. What a perfect end yo the day, not only have I found love, but the owls have too.