FLOWERS IN THE RAIN

he was running late again
ducking out of the doorway
he headed for the car
cursing the wretched rain
that had started lashing down again
the incessant rain
like a biblical flood
seemingly without beginning nor end
fumbling with his keys
he manoeuvred the door open
and slipped inside the vehicle

tightly wrapped up in her waterproofs
she made her way slowly down the lane
she was in good time
no need to rush
although the rain was heavy
and the clouds ominous
it was fun to watch the water run off her clothes
and drip harmlessly onto the road
she slalomed along
exploiting the camber to avoid the deeper puddles
splashing through the shallower ones
who said that pushbikes were for mugs?

exactly what he didn't need
a long queue of traffic
blocking both lanes of his progress
he'd never make it at this rate
why was she so bloody stubborn?
what was the big deal about getting a mobile phone?
the windows began to fog
the sky darkened
trapped in his metal box
he suddenly felt a mild surge of nausea
claustrophobia
quickly he opened the passenger window
allowing an obliging spray to dowse the seat
it reminded him of momentarily getting trapped
in a curved pipe
at a kid's playground years ago
no way out!

she arrived at the recital
unwrapped
and greeted the orchestra
despite the storm
everyone seemed on good form
she was nervous but ready
the hall began to fill
no sign of him yet
still time
she began to tune up

he banged the dashboard in frustration
complete gridlock
what was it this time?
road works?
an accident?
it didn't matter
nothing for it but to sit tight
and watch the waters rise
what was he going to tell her?

the conductor was preparing to begin
she took a final regretful glance
at the empty seat in the front row
how could he?
on her big day?

he sat at the bar
staring out of the window
the rain had a mesmerising effect
the feeling of time stood still
another?
why not?

it had gone better than she could have expected
a pity he had missed the performance
but there would be another time
she waved goodbye to the other musicians
and headed out into the wet night
maybe she should ring to check he was ok
she looked around for a box

he thought for a moment
then switched off the mobile
he'd call her when he got back

perhaps she should make sure he was ok
she was worried now
she headed across town to his place

angry with himself
angry with the weather
angry with the traffic
he drove home
even though the rain still poured down
the roads were clearer now
it was getting late
he accelerated round the bend
too late he saw the blurry figure crossing at the lights
the wheels locked as the car skidded out of control

the next day
as the rain filled the gutters once more
three wilting bouquets
flapped in the breeze at the roadside