Before Mike There Was Philip…

10-19am

So taking up from where I left off yesterday, Philip and I initially started off as ‘just friends’ but by the end of 1983, a relationship had developed and we were an ‘item.’  From time to time, I would go to the ‘Y’ with Philip and Mike would be there. Philip would stop and chat. I remember standing behind Philip while he spoke to Mike. I was able to observe the two of them. I was by then 19 and I looked at Mike and thought, ‘here is a very important person!’ Far more important than I realised!

For those who know Cape Town church circles and are interested, I was going to Holy Trinity CESA Church in the Gardens at the time. Mike was attending Cape Town Baptist Church. One weekend Philip went off hiking for a few days. By Sunday evening, he wasn’t yet back, so I went to church alone. Lo, who should visit my church that evening? Yep! Mike! After the service, we went to the kitchen for tea. I stood in the kitchen and made the tea. Mike stood in the church hall with the hatch between us. We chatted a bit, about what, I have no idea, but one thing I do know: the chemistry between us could have lit up a Christmas tree! If there was an ‘unseen crowd of witnesses’ surrounding us, they would have been nudging each other! I thought to myself, ‘it’s almost a pity Philip’s on the scene. If he wasn’t, this would be a very nice guy to get to know!’ Horror! I  was struck with guilt as my loyalty lay with Philip!

Time passed and my life rotated around nursing and my increasing attachment to Philip.

When Philip had left the UK to come to South Africa, he had broken off a relationship he had with a girl called Sarah. Once we became more than just friends, he wrote to Sarah (snail mail) and told her about me.  Some weeks later, Sarah’s reply arrived. It contained news that made me realise that Sarah was a force to be reckoned with. She wrote to say she was coming to South Africa on a 3 month working holiday. Knowing no one else in the country, naturally, it would fall to Philip to find her accommodation, show her round, introduce her to all his friends and entertain her… just what she wanted and absolutely NOT what I wanted. I remember it being an unsettled, confusing time. Philip and I continued as we were until it was almost time for Sarah to arrive. Then we had a bit of a discussion. Philip felt it wouldn’t be fair for the two of us to be in a relationship while he was having to spend most of his time with Sarah. We decided to step back & have a break from each other until Sarah left. I actually was quite happy with this, as I had three intense months of college ahead of me, complete with massive exams at the end.  So the plan was  for July, August and September of 1984 would be dedicated to study and Philip and I had an amicable parting. In theory it sounded fine, but you can never predict matters of the heart!

Sarah soon arrived….and I’ll tell you more tomorrow! 😀

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Today has a been a rainy day in Cape Town, ahead of three more cold fronts heading towards the Cape in time for the weekend.  It seems tomorrow will be partly cloudy and the real rain begins on Saturday. After~work this morning, I met with Riana for a red cappuccino and now then crawled over Ou Kaapse Weg as they had a stop/go in place at the scene of an accident…

I’m not sure what happened but there was an emergency vehicle also involved.

Now I’m home and about to jump into my gym kit and head off to work out with Riana and Mel.

3 John 1:2 Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul.

Well in body and in soul!

God bless you!

In His Grip,

Helga xx