Sweet Memory

“One box ticked on our bucket list! Honeymoon in Africa! Can you believe that just days ago we were watching the sun set in Skukuza camp?” Barbara, better known as Barbie, takes a sip of her tea and peers into the distance, a dreaminess in her eyes. She and her husband Michael are each sitting in a patterned wingback chair, enjoying the rare moment of British sunshine streaming through the conservatory windows. It is a beautiful day in September, and the change in colour of the silver birch's leaves in the corner of the garden is the only sign that autumn is waiting around the corner.

“The safaris were my best, and my favourite of all the animals in the whole Kruger Park are -”

“Wait, I know,” interrupts Barbie. “The tails-like-aerials warthogs!”

“So scruffy, but absolutely adorable,” says Michael with a high pitch in his voice.

“I would love to go back again one day, even if it is only to have more of that sticky toffee sort of dessert. Malva pudding, that’s what they call it, I think.” The dreaminess returns to Barbie’s eyes.

Michael stretches out his legs in front of him. “I can’t remember the pudding so well. But we will go back, Mrs Clark, my beautiful darling wife. Anything for you. I still can’t believe that your father was so kind to give us such a big home though.” Barbie leans over and takes Michael’s hand.

“Needs a lick of paint, but yes, it was very kind of him. I am his only daughter after all,” she says, her chin lifted slightly as she smiles.

“Oh yes, of course you are. The house is quite big though.”

“Not to worry, my darling. Soon, very soon, it will be filled with the voices and giggles of our children.”

“Excuse me, how many children do you want again?”

“Only five.”

“Are you out of your mind, woman? Didn’t we agree on the amount of children we would love to have, before we got married? Two is enough, thank you! Three at the most.”

“Four.”

“Ok, four then, if God wills.”

“I hope our firstborn is a daughter. I would love to take her clothes shopping and go for high tea at Lyons with new handbags and pearls around the neck.”

“I want a boy first. His name will be Robert. Robert George Clark.”

She laughs. “All right, my dear, I will put the order in.”

Maroon 5 sings Memories on the TV in the lounge. Someone walks their dog past the house, and the sun is now hiding behind a few clouds that suddenly appeared out of nowhere.

“Didn’t we have a lovely honeymoon, my dear? I can’t stop thinking of the sticky toffee pudding, Malva pudding, they call it, right?”

“We had a lovely time, my dear.” Michael takes a sip of water from a glass on a coffee table next to him. “I want to ask you three questions.” His facial expression is serious. "May I?"

Barbie looks at him with a trace of distrust in her eyes. Then she responds, “Ok, only if you answer them too.”

“What is your biggest dream? Like a preferable picture of the future, say in 20 or 30 years.” He folds his hands in a pyramid, elbows on his knees, curious to hear her answer.

“Mmm, I will have to think about it properly, but if I had to answer off the cuff, I would say that I would love to be happily married to you for the rest of my life, surrounded by our children. You?”

Michael runs his hand across his day-old beard. “I would love to look well after my father's business. Pharmacy is in our blood, and I would love to open one of our pharmacies in every surrounding village. I would also love to take very good care of you and our children. Ok, second question: What would you want to be remembered for one day?”

“I would love to be remembered for the kind of teacher I was — that is obviously besides being remembered for being a wonderful wife and mother. So yes, I would love to be a good teacher. My deepest desire is for the surgeon and the lawyer and the vicar of the future to say to others in court, theatre, church, etc., ‘I will always be grateful to Mrs Clark who taught me this and that; who made me believe I can do anything; who…’ You get my point, right?”

“I do, my darling, and seeing the passion in your eyes just makes me want to kiss you over and over again. You will be… no, you already are the best teacher in the whole world.”

“Steady on there, Honey. Tell me rather what you would love to be remembered for.”

“I would love to make medicine accessible and affordable for people in poor African countries. Swaziland, maybe. Maybe Rhodesia. The how and when, I don’t know yet, but it is a dream. Imagine with me for a moment that I collaborate with a medical doctor, and we set up mobile clinics in strategic locations over all of Africa.

“I didn’t know that you have a heart for the less fortunate in this world! I feel even more proud of you now! It is such a good idea of yours, asking these questions; it feels like I am only starting to get to know you.”

Michael, lost in thought, watched an aeroplane flying low towards Gatwick. It is as if he did not hear what Barbie was saying.

“So, may I ask you a question, my dear wife.

“You may.” Barbie smiles and looks straight into Michael’s deep blue eyes.

“What is your biggest fear?”

“That chocolate will go off the market... Just teasing”, she says with a sparkle in her eyes. “Wowee, this is a big one. Let me think.” The moment of silence seems to be a little robin’s clue to fly closer, landing on the camellia shrub outside the window, singing at the top of his voice. “I think my biggest fear is losing you. There you have it.”

“Ah, my love.” He leans over and kisses her lips. “I fully understand. It is my biggest fear too. Maybe we say this because we are practically still on honeymoon – I think I am starting work tomorrow, am I? - but I can’t think of anything worse at the moment. I will be able to handle anything, as long as you are on my side.”

Just as it starts to rain and the streetlights go on, Jenna walks into the lounge. She kisses Michael and Barbie both on the cheek. “Hi Mom, Dad, Happy 52nd Anniversary! Looks like you had a wonderful afternoon in your sunny spot, paging through your album with honeymoon photos.” She gave them both a warm smile. “One of the care workers said supper is ready, and I think there is sticky toffee pudding on the menu, especially for you, Mom. May I help you get up?”

“Yes please, love,” says Barbie softly, her eyes searching, her voice carrying a hint of uncertainty.

“Oh, and Robert phoned. He will visit over the weekend. He said I should give you the good news — branch number 25 of Clark Family Pharmacies opened on Monday, and it is already looking optimistic. She holds two thumbs up and smiles with contentment. Shall we go?”

Michael looks at her, his eyes puzzled. “Excuse me, love…who are you?”