Meeting Elaine In The Village 1962 Poem by Terry Collett

John sat on the bus.
He was going to visit Elaine
at her village.

The bus was full
and around him chitchat.
Wonder if she's waiting?
I said I'd meet her there.

He stared out the window
at the passing scene:
fields, trees, hedges,
cattle in a field.

Two women behind
were running someone down.

He felt nervous
about meeting her.
He pushed
the old girls' talk away.

The bus drove along
to the village bus stop
and he and a few others descended.

She's not here.
Where is she?

The bus drove off;
the others who got off
wandered towards
the few shops.

He stood there
by the bus stop.
He had been there before
and managed to find
her parents' cottage,
but now he was not so sure.

He walked up
towards the shops.
Then he saw her
walking along towards him.

She was dressed
in a grey flowered dress
and her hair was tied
in a bunch behind.

The bus must have been early,
she said, going red,
looking about her.

Guess so,
he said.

They stood looking
at each other.
I've told Mum
you were coming,
Elaine said,
she said you can
come to the cottage.

That's good,
he said,
looking at her,
did she mind?

Elaine sighed.
The usual: behave
and no kissing and things.

He nodded and smiled.
She smiled shyly.

Do you remember the way?
She said.

Not sure I do,
he replied.

They walked past the shops
and along a country lane.
He wanted to hold her hand,
but didn't want to presume.

How is your Mum?
He asked.

Moans and lot,
but she's all right really,
she said.

His hand brushed
close to hers.
She took his hand
and held it loosely.

He wanted to kiss her,
but it didn't seem likely
if her mother was going
to be watching them
like a hawk.

Have to make do
with just sitting and talk.