Worthing Flash

A House With A View At the curve of the staircase, Alastair turned to look at the surging throng below, his eyes scanning for his wife of two hours. Eventually, he spied her, a radiant splash of light surrounded by a host of paparazzi, lenses aimed from every angle and elevation, journalists hurling questions at this icon of the fashion world, hoping for that special photo, that bon mot that would elicit their editor’s grudging approval. ‘What did I do to win that bird-of-Paradise, Jonjo? I feel like Cinderella at the ball, afraid my glass coach will turn into a pumpkin at any moment.’ He grinned at his best man and fellow architect. ‘ You certainly are a lucky dog, Al. If I’d met her first, I’d have given you a run for your money.’ ‘ Hands off! You’ve a bird of your own and a lovely one at that.’ ‘ You’d better go and change, mate; you’ve a long drive ahead. I’ll rescue the embattled princess; she needs to change too. I can’t see your Gorgeous Gwenda crushing that fabulou...

A new hat is cause for celebration. Once, wearing my latest acquisition, a gust of wind caught its brim, whisking it across Park Lane. A young man launched out in pursuit, wielding his umbrella to stop the traffic.  Arresting my errant chapeau with the point of Excalibur, he cried Cauch’ya!   Sadly, an approaching taxi braking too late, knocked him to the ground. He was unharmed but my hat escaped into Hyde Park. It was only right I should invite my hero to lunch. A week later he invited me to marry him. Frances Aitken