It had been a busy day getting ready for the evening's party. Harrison had already prepared a delightful array of hors d'oeuvres, with swirls of smoked salmon and baby leek tarts. This was to be followed by a sumptuous main meal of double roasted duck with caramelized parsnip. The only thing left to do was make the dessert, and for this he needed to take great care. Placemat #2 There were special guests coming for the party. One guest in particular who Harrison hadn't seen for some time. Her name was Marilyn. She had just returned from a trip abroad & she was bringing a friend Nicky whom she had met in Buenos Aires. He was longing to see her and hoped that the friend would know when to leave. By the end of the night he wanted Marilyn alone. Placemat #3 Dessert needed his full attention. Harrison dipped his finger in the mixing bowl, then put it to his mouth. Slowly he savoured the tang of the lemon & the memories it stirred. That first night with Marilyn was an irresistible blur of sweet cream & bitter lemon. The sharing of that dessert was the start of something special between them. Placemat #4 Harrison was lost in his thought of the times they had shared & would share again, until the whir of the eggbeater brought his mind back to the job at hand. Lovingly he poured the mixture into the tray for baking. He licked the spoon allowing the lemon tang to linger, tantalizing his taste buds. It was their flavour (while some couples had a song Marilyn & Harrison had a dessert). Placemat #5 Everything was ready by the time the first guests appeared. Soon all had arrived but Marilyn and her friend Nicky. No doubt the two of them were fussing over frocks and the appropriate accessories. The doorbell rang and it was the moment he had been waiting for. He leapt from his chair but tried to maintain some restraint in his step as he approached the door. Placemat #6 As soon as he opened the door the moment instantly turned as bitter as the lemons he had been squeezing earlier that evening. There she stood resplendent in her evening dress; but there was no hope of savouring every mouthful of dessert with Marilyn because as she spoke he heard the words-"Hello Harrison, I'd like you to meet my fiancé, Nick." |