When they arrived in Egypt after, sure enough as arranged by Ronald Mr Blichs was waiting for Miss Silone. Miss Silone daintily proceeded towards Mr Blichs.
“You must be Miss Silone, I am very excited to meet you at last I have heard a lot about your work!”
Mr Blichs had a very strong German accent and had a bold appearance his strong biceps appeared to be pulsing against the restraint of his white shirt, the sleeves had been rolled up and he seemed to be sweating. He was wearing brown shorts and tan boots. He stood straight and must have been 6’3”. Miss Silone melted at the first glimpse of his masculinity and his strong accent.
“I’m Mr Blichs but please call me Hans.”
“Hello Hans thank you for the hospitality and the loan of your plane.”
“It was the least I could do after dragging you out all this way. I assume it was a pleasant flight.”
“Yes the flight was marvellous the scenery coming over Egypt was amazing.”
“I love Egypt. When I discovered the artefacts it was my first visit to Egypt.”
“So how many countries have you visited then?”
“Well I have explored Europe in detail, last year I travelled form north to south of Africa. The year before I spent nine months in Australia. I have also frequently visited Russia. The only country I haven’t been to is America, I can’t stand the accent and way of life over there.”
“So you have practically seen the world then”
“You could say that.”
Hans lead Miss Silone towards a jeep and they headed towards the Hotel which Hans had booked. The Hotel was a magnificent old temple which had been converted. The exterior consisted of bleach white walls and amazing structure and architecture. As they entered the reception area they were greeted by a polished marble mosaic on the floor and a mirror image on the ceiling. Hans booked Miss Silone and himself in, then escorted Miss Silone to her room.
“Here we are this is your room and I’m staying just across the corridor. I will give you a few minutes to freshen up and then I will take you around the city and show you the sites.”
“Thank you, I can’t wait.”
They went their separate ways after agreeing to meet in the lobby at 12:30. Miss Silone had a shower. Hans washed and changed. He was the first to arrive in the lobby, he was wearing crisp white trousers and a blue shirt. His hair was neatly combed and he wore brown leather shoes. Miss Silone arrived presently. She was elegantly modelling a pretty red dress which flared slightly as she rounded the corner showing the tops of her thighs.
“I thought we could have some lunch, I know an excellent sea food restaurant which serves the best fresh crab.”
“That sounds super I’m starving.”
The couple walked off down the street. Hans pointed out several interesting buildings on their way. The city seemed very fresh with large important looking white buildings, many of which where hotels. There was the occasional older looking building most of which had very peculiar architecture. They lacked the symmetrical white walls and straight lines of the modern buildings, instead they displayed yellowed, crumbling, curvy walls.
On the opposite side of the road lay a rank of cafés and wine bars. All very modern and inviting in appearance. After a few minutes walking up the road Hans stopped and guided Miss Silone into a petite elegant café. They where seated and presented menus, they sat sipping white wine deciding which delights to choose form. The café was neatly decorated in a typical French Riviera style. All the waiters and waitresses where of French origin and all wore very smart attire.
Miss Silone and Hans seemed lost in a world of their own surrounded by the busy talk of business personnel and loving couples. Their little world was filled with strong feelings for each other. They both gazed into the empty space of each others eyes.
“Bonjour Madame and can I take your order?”
“Oh, uh. Yes certainly I will have the oyster salad, can I also have a top up of wine?”
“Oui Madame, medium white?”
“Thank you that would be marvellous”
“And for you sir?”
“Oui je voudrias un fresh Lobster, merci”
“Bon”
The young couple sat in almost in silence, both embarrassed to show their emotions to the other.
“So what are your impressions of the city so far?”
“Oh I love it!”
“Probably one of the prettiest cities I have been to in all of my years of travelling”
“There’s not much point in me travelling then if this is the best”
“Oh there is, it’s not just the cities that are fascinating and beautiful. To see real beauty you have to look at nature! There are many beautiful places that have rarely been seen. I have seen jungles and waterfalls that would melt anyone’s heart”
Miss Silone sat carefully listening and taking it all in but, all she could think of was Hans! He had dominated her thoughts.
“Madame, your oyster salad et vine blanc”
“Thank you”
“Sir, lobster, can I get you anything to drink?”
“Bon. I am fine merci”
Miss Silone’s dream had been interrupted by the waiter and the display of fresh elegantly positioned oyster nestled upon organic lettuce and basil leaves. As the two friends ate quietly both their minds where exploding with thoughts of each other.
When they had finished at the restaurant it was late in the afternoon. They both decided to part and spend time alone. They would meet at the hotel restaurant later for dinner. Hans suggested Miss Silone went east towards the main town where she could enjoy the street trading and shops. Hans on the other hand went west to meet with some friends about tomorrows work at the excavation site. Miss Silone had found herself wandering through markets selling everything imaginable. She was astounded by the beauty of the old part of the city. As she gazed at row upon row of market stalls and trading carts she felt a warmth in her heart, happiness. She hadn’t felt this since her wedding day.
When they met again at the restaurant Miss Silone had changed into a pure silk dress as white as frost. She looked beautiful; Hans could feel himself melt at her presence. He was displaying a full dinner suit. Both companions praised each others attire. As they were seated they commenced in conversation.
“Sorry, Miss Silone I didn’t catch your first name”
“I haven’t given it to you; I tend not to meet strangers on informal terms. I find it can complicate matters”
”Surely you don’t class us as strangers any more. I have bought you lunch and we had contributed in conversation, surely they are reasons enough to say we are friends”
“True, but can I trust you. After all you are the first man I have met that has been to almost every county in the world, can speak many languages, and has seen many things of beauty. I’m not sure whether such a traveller can be trusted”
“Oh Miss Silone I can assure you that you are more than able to trust me”
“I was really hoping that was the case”
“Well how shall I address you Miss Silone, or is it……..”
“Okay you win, its Roma”
“Well, Roma, you are looking fantastic this evening, may I poor you some wine?”
”Oh that would be wonderful”
Hans and Roma sat long into the night talking about past adventures and discoveries. They had enjoyed a good dinner and each others company.
The next day Roma rose early to study some documents she had brought with her explaining more about the artefacts that had been found. Shortly she went to the restaurant for breakfast. She sat alone near the window. The breakfast was a buffet style with fruits, cereals, cooked foods and many different fruit juices.
Hans had spent the morning in the gym and was heading towards the restaurant for breakfast when he saw a familiar figure in reception. He was wearing spectacles and had long, black, greasy hair. As Hans approached him he seemed to hurry towards him. He recognised him as Ronald. They had met before on previous exhibitions and architectural digs.
“Hello. What brings you here?”
“Good morning, I have reason to believe Miss Silone is here.”
”Yes old man she should be having breakfast in the restaurant”
“Brilliant you couldn’t show me where that is could you?”
“Of course, we could have breakfast whilst we catch up.”
The two walked towards the restaurant talking about the past. Ronald seemed very withdrawn as if he was hiding something. As they entered the restaurant Roma noticed them and stood up.
“Ronald what are you doing here?”
”I have come to see you”
“Why Ronald you don’t need to see me any more, we are no longer married, remember?”
“Yes, but you know I can change, we can change, I need you Roma”
“Oh Ronald how many times have I told you I don’t want you anymore. Now please leave.”
”I am not going to leave unless you come with me!”
“Sorry to interrupt I can see I am not needed here so I will meet you at the site Roma”
“Roma, since when have you let other men call you Roma?”
“Go to hell Ronald. Wait Hans I will come to”
Hans and Roma left swiftly. Ronald was left weeping. Hans and Roma climbed into the jeep and headed towards the archeologically site.
“Sorry I am intruding, but what was all that about?”
”Well to cut a long story short, me and Ronald were once married. I know I can’t believe it either”
“So what happened?”
“He had an affair with a tall slim blond”
”Ouch”
“Yes I finished him instantly, he is still my agent because we know how each other work and agents are so hard to find”
“Yeah that’s true”
2,100 words
