I spend most of the following week creating a backup article in case I couldn't find a better one in time.892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ84Qk1S6adh
It was Friday, and I was bored. I knew only too well that I had stiff to be getting on with, but at the point I jar needed it most, the router had decided to break down.
Not being too much if a whizz with technology myself, and nor wishing to do further damage to it, I had decided it was better to leave it for BT to fix for me.
After a good couple of minutes of boredom, I pulled on my coat, found my wallet and stepped out into the freezing cold.
I was definitely colder than I had expected. I shivered in the small autumnal jacket I had found in the back of my wardrobe and wished I'd been bothered to pull out a bigger one instead.
I stopped in the middle of the street, lost amongst the crowd of people, pondering for a moment.
It had suddenly hit me. What to get my mother for Christmas.
I usually got her jewellery, but I was so bored right now and wanted to get her something slightly different.
It had dawned upon me that she rarely ever got out (but don't get the wrong idea. She isn't a little old grandma; she's 45), purely because "it's always too cold" . I don't know exactly why it hadn't occurred to me before to get her a new jacket so maybe I could persuade her to get out some more and catch a little bit of fresh air.
Suddenly I heard a shout from across the street.
"Hey, mi amigo!" the man said, waving being slightly too conspicuous for my liking.
"H-hi, Antonio," I said quietly, hoping to avoid the stares of members of the public around me.
Antonio was wearing a long beige trench coat and a tricolour scarf. It was green, white and red, and as he crossed the road it flapped madly in the wind.
I couldn't help but notice that on his back was a large black guitar case.
"I didn't know you played the guitar," I remarked.
"Ah, well, there's a lot if things you don't know about me," he replied, winking and tapping his nose. "Did you want to hear me play?"
"Oh! Yes, please, if it wouldn't be too much trouble..."
Antonio set the enormous case down by a wall. The guitar inside was an acoustic and natural amber in colour.
He magically produced a pick out of nowhere, positioned the guitar and began to play.
People around us stopped and stared. I turned away and blushed in embarrassment, but Antonio continued to play, and began to sing;892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQM2sHuaQO0
I've tried playin' it cool,
But when I'm lookin' at you,
I can't ever be brave,
'Cause you make my heart race.
Shot me out of the sky,
You're my kryptonite,
You keep making me weak,
Yeah, frozen and can't breathe.
Something's gotta give now,
'Cause I'm dying just to make you see,
That I need you here with me now,
Yeah, you've got that one thing
So get out, get out, get out of my head,
And fall into my arms instead,
I don't, I don't, don't know what it is,
But I need that in thing, yeah,
You've got that one thing.
His newly gathered burst into applause and he looked up in shock.
To be honest, I was in shock too; Antonio had such a beautiful singing voice, and he was good at the guitar too.
He looked at me.
"Well, I didn't expect that..."
"You're talented."
He stared at my face.
"That's exactly what my wife said. This was... The song I sang to her when I proposed."
"Proposed? You mean, you're married?"
His face suddenly turned... a little sad.
As the crowd dispersed, I quickly changed the subject.
"W-what do you do for a living?" I asked, trying not to shiver.
His face changed a little.
"I teach music lessons at Chesgrove school." he said, putting the guitar away. "They're a very talented bunch!"
I nodded and exhaled, staring, mesmerised by the condensation happening in the air.
"You look chilly," he pointed out unhelpfully.
"Uhh... Um..."
My teeth were chattering by now, and I was shivering almost uncontrollably.
"Here."
Antonio took off his scarf and wrapped it around me.
"I-i-it's f-f-fine... " I stuttered.
"I have many, many more at home. Don't worry about it."
He stood back and beamed.
"There we go! You look warmer already!"
I realised that I was no longer shaking like a man possessed. Antonio put a hand on my shoulder.
"Keep it. Trust me, I have a whole collection of scarfs at home!"
It was at the very moment I stepped inside that I had forgotten to do what I had originally set out to do.
Groaning, I slumped into the chair and turned on my laptop.
The router was working again, and I found an email from BT in my inbox.
Dear Mr Osborne,
The problem with your router seemed to have been caused by issues with our server. We have bow fixed the problem.
The repair will be free of charge.
Thank you for your understanding,
BT
I signed again, and hung up my coat.
I stared at Antonio's scarf for a moment, before rolling it up neatly and placing it on the table in front of me.
I stared at my laptop for a while, as if an idea for the article would somehow magically pop into my head. And then I pushed the laptop out of the way and banged my head on the table.
The Christmas fair article wouldn't be enough.
Call me pessimistic, but my career was as good as finished.
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