Kim

The Birthday Gift

I was watching from the window of the old fashioned guest house, eagerly waiting for him to retrieve the cardboard box from the boot of the car. I watched as he picked it up, balancing it on one hand and reaching up to close the boot lid. He hadn’t wrapped it, but I didn’t mind, that would have delayed my reunion with them another few seconds. He was a stickler that birthday presents waited for your birthday, even though I could describe them unreservedly from memory. They had bright white soles and uppers with a holographic strip down the side. Crisp and clean navy blue and white laces, hanging from the also holographic tabs. It had been love at first sight.

I hopped from foot to foot like a kid as he left the car and began to walk to the B&B door.

I put them on my feet and reverted to childhood. They were soft and springy, yet light and comfortable. I literally bounced around the historic and beautiful city of Bath in my new trainers that day, so excited by them and life in general. I made sure all the photographs of landmarks featured ‘my new Ssssketchers’ (said in a low snakey voice emphasising the S) The musty smelling bath house where the Romans bathed – and my Sketchers. Outside Sally Lunn Buns, the recipe unchanged for centuries – and my birthday gift. The architecturally beautiful bath stone buildings – oh and have you seen my new TRAINERS??….

I kept wearing them, even when the tops had wrinkled and cracked and the holographic strip became unstuck. The laces frayed to snapping. But you can’t abandon a faithful old friend just because they are no longer beautiful. I’d still be wearing them now if the soles hadn’t worn through.