The Seminar........ (18)

Georgina unpacked her suitcase in the hotel bedroom.

She was attending a seminar on genetically modified food. She was an expert in her field and her work was useful; she had worked for almost a decade now on making small changes in the genetic code of rice.

She changed and brushed her hair in the mirror. Her hair was a natural golden blonde and shone with the light of the sun coming through the window.

Her name was 'Georgina'. Although she was strikingly beautiful her peers in research had always called her 'George'. She quite liked it; somehow being called 'George' by some of the world's leading experts (who seemed to be mainly men) was a sign of respect.

Georgina went down to the hotel bar and ordered herself a long, cool single vodka in a tall glass filled with fresh orange juice.

A man came into the bar. She didn't recognise him as one of the scientists on the seminar. Although people attending the seminar were flying in from all over the world they were a fairly small group of people and most knew each other; there were very few she had not actually met in her ten years of research since gaining her PhD.

The man was tall and casually dressed and had a full head of 'salt and pepper' hair - middle-aged but he looked and moved with the assured elegance of a confident, physically fit man.

His eyes sparkled and his mouth broke into a warm smile as he approached her at the bar.

'How do you do?' he extended his hand

'My name's John'

'Georgina' she replied

'Would you like to buy me a drink? I have just arrived and have no local currency!' said John

Georgina laughed and ordered him a small beer.

'Thank you' said John

That night they made love and it felt just so right.

Early the next morning as the sun was peeking up over the horizon John kissed her passionately and said:

'I have to go now'

'Oh no!' cried Georgina........

'It's just not fair!'

'I have to go' John repeated

'Goodbye'

Georgina felt tears welling up inside her, but said nothing and turned away.

The seminar lasted five days.

Then Georgina flew home.

She arrived at the airport.

Her husband was there to meet her. He held a bunch of roses in his hand for her.

Georgina smiled. He was tall. He was athletic. His eyes sparkled. He had a full head of hair. She liked how it had turned salt and pepper and made him look distinguished.

'I love you, John' Georgina said to her husband and gave him a big hug.

I hope you liked it

what a sweet story rusty.. i did not know you had it in you !!!!!..........signs of sprouting genius lurking soemwhere ..now make sure you eat all your brussel spouts...............there must be a sheep in wolfs clothing lurking some where ......

thank you, oh ghostie!

Thank you - I can write 'nice' stuff now and again, but I prefer the macabre, the twisted, the evil - it comes more 'naturally'!

Ah, what a romantic little story!

Yes, I am a romantic 'little man'