by Steve Tanham
My wife and her sister had just left to do some local shopping. I was set to take the two dogs – one ours, the other minded for two friends touring northern Spain – onto the nearby beach for their second run of the day. It was a prospect neither seemed keen on…
My mind had registered the lowering sky … but only subconsciously. Finding myself suddenly (and pleasurably) alone, I responded to the young man clearing the debris of our Sunday morning breakfast buns and asking if he could get me anything else.
‘Thank you, no. I’m done.” I said.
And then immediately called him back.
He put his tray down at an empty table and returned, smiling.
“Tell you what,” I said, returning his wry smile. “I’ll have another latté.”
The dogs were fine. Another coffee wouldn’t do any harm at all…and it was Sunday.
He nodded and disappeared into the Rotunda’s bar.
The glare from one of the booth’s lamps made me conscious of how dark it was becoming…but this was only late morning.
A few minutes later, as the coffee was set down on my table, there came a loud clap of thunder, seemingly right overhead. Windows rattled. It got even darker.
The place went quiet in shock. Then, slowly, conversation returned – but hesitantly, as though no one trusted that one thunder-clap would be it…
The dogs needed some reassurance, but then settled back to their slumber beneath the table; they had been well exercised earlier in the morning.
Suddenly, the noise level increased. A throng of wet people were pushing through the doors into the Rotunda’s interior. I looked up to see the entire population of the outside deck fleeing the dark skies and sudden deluge. Many arrived with soggy Sunday papers folded over their heads and hot drinks clutched in their free hands.
Tess, our collie, opened one eye and yawned up at me, conspiratorially, as if to say, “Good call…”
Outside, the newly arrived storm tore into the building. I’ve never enjoyed a finer coffee.
©Stephen Tanham 2023
Stephen Tanham is a writer, mystical teacher and Director of the Silent Eye, a correspondence-based journey through the forest of personality to the dawn of Being.
http://www.thesilenteye.co.uk and http://www.suningemini.blog
Sun in Gemini 
That was a good call. I left the house with the dogs one morning to no rain only to be caught in a deluge halfway through our walk. We came home soaked as if we had been in the shower. The dogs were not impressed. Fortunately in Spain, we dried quickly.
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Did they gaze at you with that ‘bad mommy’ look!? Giggle.
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Oh yes! They don’t like getting wet. 😊
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Our Les always give us the bad-parent look … as though tutting!
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Very apocalyptic and well timed
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Thank you, Geoff! Cue soundtrack…
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Ha, saved by the coffee, Steve. A very good call 💛
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I thought so too, Robbie. Less generous souls might say I was saved by my need for coffee! 🤗
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Nothing wrong with that 🪻
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I love watching Mother Nature at her finest… and you had a ringside seat and a latte!
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I did, Jaye! Right in the middle of the adventure. Great fun – especially with a latté! ❤️
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My idea of heaven, Steve. But then, a good latte can make anything enjoyable…
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A wonderfully described scene, Steve, and clearly smart company you are keeping. I still can’t help but feel responsible for the sudden change in the weather though.
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