Sunday 10 February 2019

Day 32





The Maltese sun was shining. It was weak and watery but it was still a balmy 16’ compared with the chill of England.

She was sitting out on her veranda, determined to have breakfast outside and enjoy the freedom that the Mediterranean climate offers to al fresco worshippers.

Fruit juice. Pastizzi. Te fit-tazza and imqaret. Prickly pears. A veritable banquet for one. Bliss for those with a sweet tooth.

She settled down and stirred the glass of tea. She looked over the valley. The dry limestone hills rolled along, with rocky outcrops reflecting the brightness of the sun’s rays. A vista that had welcomed visitors since time began: Phoenicians, Romans, Byzantines, beyond the British or Soviet and Libyan money. The limestone had shaped the country, empires and the lives of people.

A bite of the deep-fried date pastry and she closed her eyes to savour the moment.

But the moment was shattered like glass tinkling on the limestone.

She sighed, “Alright, alright. I’m coming!”

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