TIME SLIPS AWAY

“And then Claudia arrived among us. She had been part of Jules design group but had changed her mind mid-course and switched over to journalism. He introduced her to us and it wasn’t long before she took us over completely. She was tall, slim and elegant. Her sleek blond hair fell seductively to her shoulders and she was immaculately dressed for a student. Together with Jules. they made a very handsome couple. It seemed she was accustomed to getting her own way as, in no time at all, she was leading us about like a flock of obedient sheep. We were all in awe of her and it was obvious that she was used to being the centre of attention. Claudia would not accept a nick-name like the rest of us, so ‘Claudia’ she remained. Besides being tall and elegant she was beautiful and rich, very rich, at least her parents were and they seemed to indulge her every whim as long a it kept her out of their way “They lead very busy lives” she said, “and are very seldom in England. She went on to explain that she had spent most of her life, so far, in boarding schools or with elderly aunts. I felt a certain sympathy with her because I too, was safely out of my parents’ way. Jules had said that his parents ‘just didn’t understand him’ and I wondered why in those early days. As I got to know him better I came to know exactly what he meant. Thanks to Claudia’s generous allowance. The ingredient that Bridie got to work with now for our evening meals improved tremendously and from then on there was always wine, and plenty of it, Claudia saw to that and Claudia drank most of it, I wondered whether this was her form o escape ; as mine was into painting. We all joined her and soon it became quite a habit. We must have consumed the entire production o a vineyard during our first year and spent some riotous evenings together.”