Acrylic on canvas – 8 x 8 inch – Unique work

London, 1978. Somewhere in an upscale suburb. A woman leaves her home, a large four-story house. She goes to a pub. It’s her first date with a man she only met a week earlier while Christmas shopping at Liberty.

Alison is just 40 years old. She has dedicated her life to her work. Her ultimate goal was to succeed professionally, no matter the cost. No children, no serious relationships. Only cats have kept her company. Each death has broken her heart, and yet she still can’t live without a cuddly pet.

It took her ages to get ready. She’s not used to it anymore; it’s been ages. When she looks in the mirror, she sees an aging woman, with wrinkles at the corners of her eyes and a sprinkling of white hair. She chooses dark blue jeans, a white t-shirt, and a suede jacket.

The subway is crowded. It’s Friday evening, the weather is nice and rather mild for April, so obviously. It’s impossible to find a seat. It’s so hot, she can’t take it anymore. She decides to get out at the next station and continue on foot, in the fresh air. This stale air underground is bothering her so much.

Once outside, on the banks of the Thames, Alison comes back to life. She walks quietly down the street, skirting the business district, which is slowly emptying. Suits and ties are scarce, and they head hastily to the nearest subway. The lucky ones will celebrate the weekend with a glass of white wine for the women and a beer for the men. They will make the world a better place, review their hectic life.

Alison is getting close. She knows the area so well; she worked there in her youth, and even though the neighborhood has changed a lot, London’s oldest pub remains the same. She crosses the threshold, nearly bumping into a group of drunken thirty-somethings when suddenly she spots him.

He looks at his phone, she can stare at him freely. His red shirt is visible from afar, he dared!
Suddenly, he raises his head, looks for her, sees her, smiles at her…