Journey From the Summit Read Online Free PDF Page A

Saul and everyone else feel uncomfortable too. In addition to this, there were snide comments, sarcastic remarks, and general unpleasantness. Saul and I spent less and less time at his house and more time at my place. All we really cared about was being together; it didn’t matter where that was.
    Saul’s other best friend was Adam, who he was going away with. On some level I already resented him as, although I know it wasn’t the case, I felt he was taking Saul away from me. He lived in London, so I hadn’t yet had a chance to meet him.
    One evening when I arrived at Saul’s, he took my hand and pulled me into the kitchen. “There’s someone I’d very much like you to meet,” he said excitedly. I could hear laughter even before I entered the room.
    “Adam,” said Saul, interrupting something funny he was in the middle of telling Steve. “This is Flossie,” he beamed proudly at me.
    I liked him before he even spoke. He grinned a lopsided grin at me, “So this is the reason Saul hasn’t been out of bed in the last month then,” he said good-naturedly. “We thought he had gone into summertime hibernation! No one has seen him!” he laughed. “Good to meet you at last, Flossie!” he said taking my hand.
    He was the funniest guy I had ever met. He was a natural comedian, and could barely speak without making you laugh. He was good-looking in a quirky sort of way, with a charismatic smile and an infectious laugh that accompanied most of his comical antics. Being in his company, I found it hard to resent him for taking Saul away. I could understand why Saul wanted to go away with him – there would never be a dull moment!!
    Whenever he came down to visit, we would all go out and spend long evenings being entertained by him. His girlfriend, Cathy, who also lived up in town very often came with him. Cathy was not someone I warmed to initially. She was a pretty girl with long fair hair and big green eyes, and she could turn on the charm to any male at will. However, when she wasn’t fluttering her long lashes at the opposite sex she could be pushy and crude and I often found her to be distasteful. However, we were often thrown together by circumstance, and as I got to know her more her manner softened a little at the edges, and she could be quite fun to be with.
     
    I wanted to throw a surprise bon voyage party for Saul. I thought it might help to dilute some of the heartache I was feeling if I could throw myself into arranging something for him. However, to do this I needed to get Steve onside! I wasn’t looking forward to broaching my idea with him, but knew that really it needed to be in his house, and I would need his help. So, one day, I went round to Saul’s early knowing he wouldn’t yet be home from work but that Steve would be in.
    “Floss,” he said gruffly as he opened the door to me. “Saul’s not home yet.”
    I stood on the doorstep feeling as if I was about to try a sales pitch on an unyielding customer.
    “Yeah, I knew he wouldn’t be back as yet, but I wanted to talk to you. Mind if I come in?” I said bravely.
    “I guess not,” he agreed reluctantly letting me in.
    I followed him into the kitchen. “Mind if I put the kettle on?” I said needing something to do to hide my nervousness.
    “No. Go ahead. So what do you want to talk about then?” he said unsmiling.
    “I want to have a party for Saul – a going away party. You are his best friend and I thought it might be nice if we did it together.” I was too afraid to look at him while I spoke, so I busied myself making tea with my back to him. I was very surprised by his response.
    “ I think that’s a great idea! We could do it here, as a surprise!” he said almost enthusiastically.
    I turned to look at him and he was smiling – not quite at me, but at the thought at least.
    We continued to chat about whom to invite – obviously Adam and Cathy were at the top of the list, and a few other close friends. Nothing big – just