The Mission
Time was running out on my trip home to England. I had spent time with family and friends and
had eaten vast amounts of chip shop chips and Cadburys chocolate as my
ever-tightening waistband attested too.
Yet, I was still left with one important mission to complete before my
return to the US and today was the day!
I walked the familiar half-mile up town towards the high
street, a trip I had taken for granted as a child when I would complain loudly
every step of the way wishing my Mum would fork out the 10 pence for the noisy
bus to take us around the estate. Now,
whenever I go home, I look forward to that walk and gladly leave the car
behind. Even in the drizzling rain that
seems to float up under my umbrella, I am not deterred from making this
journey.
The high street is bustling with people, intent on getting
the weeks shopping in and wondering what to make for Sunday dinner. Friends greet each other as they pass by
asking about loved ones and sharing who has the best veg on sale at the market
this week. Ahead I see my target, a shop window, opaque with steam and many
shadows moving purposefully inside. I
push the door open with anticipation; I have been waiting for this for years.
There, in the glass and chrome cases, are a dieter’s nightmares. Every shape, size and color, laid in perfect
rows upon wax paper waiting for the silver tongs to take them away. My mouth starts watering as the sweet sugary
air fills my nostrils making my stomach say yum! Decisions, decisions, so hard
to make one! Finally, the smooth thick
brown topping on a delicate tanned pastry calls my name and I decide on the
chocolate éclair.
Complete with a pot of tea for one, a thick, chipped white
teacup and saucer and my prize I make my way to a table in the corner. A splash of milk and the steaming strong tea
is poured into my cup. And now for the
moment I have been waiting for. Inhaling
in the sweet aroma as I lift the éclair, I take that all-important first
bite. Snow white cream oozes out the
sides plopping on to the tea plate. My
mouth is filled with a blissful velvet sweetness that only this combination of
ingredients brings. My eyes are half-closed in pure delight; every bite is
heaven. Between sips of tea the éclair disappears at an alarming speed until I
am only left with chocolate covered fingers. A satisfactory sigh escapes me and
my mission is complete.