When I said farewell to my brother at Kings Cross Station, my mother was visibly moved, fearing it might be the last time theyd meet in this life, considering her age. With a bittersweet yearning to see my brother and sister for what felt like one last time, I set off on my journey. First, I visited my uncle, and next on the list was my aunts house. My uncle jested about my upcoming wedding, scheduled for six months from now, and I jokingly invited him. He warned me to be careful, mentioning his odd birthmark in a mysterious way. The weather outside was gloriously sunny.
Upon arrival, Aunt Charlotte and her husband greeted us with warmth, their embrace floating and elongated like shadows at dusk. The following morning, my younger cousin, Daisy, and I decided we ought to enjoy the sea. After wading and giggling in the rolling waves, we drifted back to the house for lunch. Daisy, somewhat weary and longing for rest, still insisted we venture out again, drawing me with her stubborn enthusiasm to another swim and then off to the cinema. When we emerged from the saltwater, a pair of young men approached, their voices echoing oddly as if from beneath a bell jar, and asked how to find Heath Lane. Daisy offered directions with a flourish, while the second man studied me closely and inquired, Excuse me, are you called Alice?
The question struck me as strange, so I arched my eyebrow, and he hastily explained, You live in London and have a friend named Susan, dont you? Shes my sister. Ive seen you in her photos and wanted to know more about you. At that moment I noticed the peculiar birthmark on his arm, swirling like a map of clouds. We decided, as if it had always been destined, to wander through the theatre together and then stroll along the bank, where the water shimmered with unlikely colours.
As we said our goodbyes, the young man mentioned he and his friend were finishing a business trip, set to leave the following day. He asked, almost bashfully, for my phone number and permission to ring me; I agreed, my voice echoing in a way I couldnt quite control. Ten days later, he met up with me and my mother at Heathrow Airport, and in a dreamy haze, after six months, we were wed.
