He had a dream of living a life of rustic idyll, to see and feel
seasons, so he bought a derelict cottage in pastoral Algarve.
Took his wife along, explained how the cottage would look
like when done up; she said nothing. With help of workmen
he began repair and life for a while was primitive. He saw his
wife was not happy, when she said she had to go home to look
after her daughter, he understood. Months went, but a day
in February the home was ready, he had even acquired a dog.
Outside the almond trees were shedding and petals looked as
pink snow. Rang her, but she didn´t want to come and live in
his bucolic wonderland . “But I thought you liked it”, he said.
“You never asked me, took me for granted, this is you dream
not mine…” The cottage was still and cold, his dog sensed his
dejections jumped up on his lap licking his face. He went into
the shed, collected wood for the fireplace, his dream was now
like an old coat too comfy to throw away.
