White horses rolling in onto the East Sands. Studying by the sea, him and her. He was aware of her presence at the edges of the group; soft-spoken, shy, unconventionally attractive in many ways. The girl from Sussex where he had not yet been.

Act 3

Just two years later, he reached out to her by letter. A day trip to Brighton. They spent an afternoon in a wine bar with music videos playing in the background. A lovely gentle set of moments. How he'd wished it might have gone further but he never said.

Act 4

Memories of how she walked, how her hair moved from side to side. Memories washed in on the tide.

Act 5

After 37 years she comes back into his mind. Restless one night. He is back by the sea, is she? If he could reach out and touch her hand, or catch her gaze, he would. The strawberry girl who slipped through his fingers.

Act 6

After the storms, the Sussex coast is quieter today. Little waves dip in and out, gulls dance in the froth. Does she still see this. The camera pulls back along the horizon.

Act 7

"As if we were still lovers..." went the song all those years ago. Time has passed, far too much time. He wonders what became of her; whether she found love, whether she married, whether she had kids ? In his mind she is back by the sea, happy, wistful and perhaps thinking of moments missed.

Act 8

If he could reach her he would, but he can't. All he can do is hope she is well.

Act 9

Gulls wheel away from the shoreline and settle again out on the water.

Act 10

The chill of the wind from the east coast sea in December reaches his bones. The strawberry girl is still in his mind.

December 2023