And Lastly, Lilibet

Jolly has had a great time visiting East Anglia. His two dates with Jill and Maggie were quite relaxed. He was a little anxious about the third lady he was due  to meet. Elizabeth 57 [Lilibet to her closest friends] is a retired headteacher. 

Lilibet dresses very smartly, and has a neat haircut, and smart spectacles. She has a trim figure and looks good in heels. She was head of a prestigious girls’ school in Kent for 15 years. Her favourite subject is history, which she studied at Oxford – all her pupils loved her lessons, because they were really interesting.  

Lilibet is Churchwarden at the ancient village church. It was built in the 11th C and even in August, Jolly thought it felt cold inside. She explained about the round Saxon tower, and the medieval graffiti. 

 

Lilibet took Jolly to a very posh Belgian restaurant in town where they ate mussels – he was pleasantly surprised by how good these tasted. Other guests turned to look at his attractive dining companion – but Jolly felt a little underdressed. 

Lilibet’s home – a smart Georgian house on the edge of her village – over 200 years old – was furnished beautifully, and extremely tidy. She was a truly gracious lady – but Jolly felt a bit inadequate because she was so clever [although not at all patronising towards him]. 

Lilibet did have a wicked sense of humour, and they laughed a lot together. They shared a mutual fondness for BBC Radio 4, especially the quiz and comedy programmes. Jolly sensed she was perhaps a little lonely, and maybe she too was looking for quiet companionship as he was. He felt she might become a true, loyal and lasting friend, even if their relationship did not proceed beyond a romantic level.