That was unexpected. It seems like something cosmic wanted me to have a night of connecting with old friends before Jersey. First of all I went and saw Boy’s mum in Camden. Good chats and catch ups and then another dear friend was nearby. We have collaborations we have been talking about for ages. We catalysed some thinking about that. London is fecund if you want it to be. She came and joined us in Camden and we drove back to mine as it’s on her way home.
I wanted to go home as tomorrow I need to leave packed for a month in Jersey and I’m not very good at that. Then a text from NATHAN.
Nathan lived with me here for six years, sleeping in the room I’m in now. Long before I started this blog we were up all night together regularly,.going out looking for the things.
When I moved in here he moved in. The same day. We walked in to a flat with nothing but a single beanbag.
He had been a close friend at drama school. Max and I realised that I couldn’t live with him and his burgeoning family anymore so I landed here just as we were about to sell it. Nathan was looking at the time so we made sense of it together.
Our time together was varied and nuanced and often delightful. We fought and we made up and we helped each other and caused each other problems. We played poker and wii bowling and cooked and dreamed. We helped with auditions and shared contacts and hopes. He helped me into a part time day job that led to an excellent deal for a leather sofa that has been central to this place for over a decade. He has fully quit acting now and gone into sales. Charismatic bastard. The industry is weaker without him, but it can be a slog.
He showed up this evening with a friend, both of them in dinner jackets with bow ties. They had been over in Battersea Park for an award ceremony in their industry. Both of them live in Manchester with two children. It was remarkable to see him, and lovely. Considering people used to literally assume we were closeted lovers, we haven’t stayed in touch since life changed for him and he got married and had kids. We were friends in an older time, but we were so close. We wanted the best for each other. We still do.
He’s just left mine to go to his posh hotel and I’m running a late night bath. I wouldn’t be surprised if he ended up trying to get into a club somewhere… I miss the fucker though. For a wee while we would finish each others sentences.
The plan is to try and get back into the habit of sending each other pointless text messages often. I guess that’s how we make these connections consistent. I’m not very good at it. I can go years and then I might ping you something as if it was yesterday we last saw each other.
But yeah. So I’ve had a lovely unexpected friend night just before I’m out of London for a month. Partly it was made possible by the fact that I didn’t hear from Nathan until an hour before he showed up at mine. I’m so much better at last minute.
This kind of night is why I love being here in the thick of it though. Frank got stuck meeting my old friends. He got on very well with them.
My last night at home, and an evening where I get to relax with such a variety of lovely friends. A rare and surprising joy and I’m feeling very lucky. There’s loads of people I haven’t seen for ages. It is a reminder that, no matter how much time has passed, it is easier than we make it to reconnect. Thanks universe. I’m gonna sleep happy tonight.
AlBarclay 