"Mark, it is Mark isn't it?", he turns around to see where the question came from. He is met with the warm, smiling face of an attractive petite young woman, and she seems to know who he is judging by the look of delighted recognition on her face. Triggered by his momentary blank look she continues " It's Anne." she pauses as if to let it sink in, "from school?". He starts to relax his shoulders and gives an involuntary "God, it's been a while!" as the synapses fire into action and drag the name from the vaults of his brain. Now the name is familiar to him, but the image of the little schoolgirl he has associated with it bears scant relation to the grown woman standing before him now. His feeling of embarrassment at not recalling his old friend sooner is compounded by the fact that this meeting had to take place within the confines of the chemist whilst waiting for medications. Usually the domain where remaining anonymous as you collect your pile cream or whatever is always preferred.
Looking at her now properly for the first time, he can appreciate just how she has blossomed into a beautiful woman. She subconsciously plays with the end of her chestnut hair, twirling it round and round her slender fingers. Her smile is devastatingly warm and inviting, and the expression in her narrow eyes make it hard for him not to just throw his arms around her and give her a big hug. Nervously they both try and speak at the same time, their words tumbling over each others making it hard to understand the other. "You first" he says to her giggling, "I was just going to say that it's got to be at least 15 years, hasn't it!?" she starts. "Pretty much what I was going to say" he responds. "You haven't changed a bit you know?" she tells him. He refrains from telling her that she on the other hand has. Growing into herself as a woman, now possessing the sexual radiance that comes with maturity. "Is that a good or a bad thing?" he jokingly responds, "It's a good thing." she laughs. Their reunion is abruptly brought to a halt by the dispenser calling her name from behind the counter. She makes to collect the medicines and picking up on the address she gives to confirm her identity, he questions how long she has lived there. It transpires that in the intervening 15 years or so the two had only ever lived a few miles apart and yet had never crossed paths until now. "That's really strange don't you think!?" she asks with genuine surprise. "I suppose so" he says, not really listening fully to the question, mind distracted with thoughts of years gone by.
"Well, I had best get back home, Nosey Arse will be missing me no doubt" she says with resignation. "Oh, your husband?", "Nooo, am divorced, I'm talking about my daughter!" she says, almost sounding happy that this is the case. "Right then, maybe catch you again in another 15!" he jokingly says, but inside he knows he would like it to be sooner. Giggling to herself she turns and heads for the door, "Who knows where we will both be by then!" she calls over her shoulder as she is leaving. "Who knows indeed" he comments to himself under his breath. Taking a recently vacated seat, he sits, fond memories triggered in his head, and waits patiently for his next batch of little round friends that have so far allowed him these joyous little moments in life.