Part 11

After quite a few interviews, Darcy got herself a nice little job at a pub called The Cavendish, on the edge of town. It was also a bed and breakfast. Three evenings a week she would be barmaid, plus waitress in the guest’s dining room. It was ideal. She loved to banter with the guests and patrons and she made a lot of new friends.

First taste of life beyond the binds

Where choice is plush and plentiful

Yet inner heart is unfulfilled

And yearnings, more than fanciful

This birdlike soul still dwells upon

Ill-fated means to move her on

For fear of losing all to luck

Accrue more ties to permanence

Create more weight to anchor down

This reassuring ambience

Preserve this embryonic state

Allowing roots to permeate

Meanwhile, Chris’ band were writing and recording an album, so he was staying away more and more often. Darcy hardly saw him these days. It was inevitable really, their agent was pushing them hard to complete and Darcy would not stand in the way of progress. She was happy enough with her new role in life but she missed his company.

Then came the day Chris called Darcy to pack a bag and meet him at the studio. The band had landed a new contract with a good label and he was off to London. This was the break they had been waiting for. They were on their way. 

Darcy thought long and hard about what it would mean to give up her new life and follow Chris, but she didn’t want to be lost in the background of somebody else’s future.

Here lies the silt of love’s young dream

Where time must rule with rod of greed

And borne of differing desires

Their pathways part to meet each need

He, pursuing destiny’s gift

And she, not keen to cast adrift.

She packed up Chris’ belongings and took them to the studio. It was time to say goodbye.