For a fortnight (we hoped) in the sun.
It was there that I mislaid my hoodie,
And our trip, it had barely begun.
Quite clearly I hadn't been thinking,
When I'd done all my holiday packing:
The tops in my case were all skimpy,
And sleeves were decidedly lacking.
No cardigans, sweaters or jackets...
Their absence began to seem silly
When early next day on our terrace,
The climate seemed really quite chilly.
In a village nearby was a clothes' shop.
We'd nicknamed it "Madame Louise".
We should see what she sold, I decided -
To protect from that cool mountain breeze.
The boutique was stuffed full of strange garments -
Brightly coloured and covered in bling.
The owner extolled all their virtues.
I said, "Sequins are not quite 'my thing'.
Nor rhinestones, nor transfers, nor slogans.
Swirls of glitter are not to be relished."
Then I spotted a black jersey item,
And hoped that it wasn't embellished.
It was long. It had very big pockets...
Was three sizes too big, but it draped
And was PLAIN with not even a button.
We paid what it cost and escaped.
"You won't wear it again," said my husband.
"Yes I will!" (I was keen to convince.)
And that desperate "Hobson's choice" purchase,
Is something I've worn ever since.
It's the first thing that goes in my suitcase.
It is lightweight - a traveller's dream.
It's good-tempered - shows scarcely a crinkle.
And I wish I could find one in cream.
For details of my other books - Britannia's Glory and James the Third - please see the blog/post of each, both dated October 2024.
Definition of emergency purchase: A purchase made to fill an immediate, unexpected need when there is insufficient time to procure competitive bidding.surveyfeedback
ReplyDeleteMy situation exactly. I was so relieved to find that cardigan!
ReplyDelete