NationalExpressSummer2017 - 48

uncomfortable silence, she says: 'You're
very brave, just like Shirley Valentine.'
I smile, graciously. I hope it doesn't
look like a grimace. I don't feel brave.
Fighting a lion, or putting your children
into a boat and hoping you'll find refuge
from your war-torn homeland on the
other side of the ocean is brave. I'm
getting a plane to Mexico for a solo
two-week holiday, or me-moon as I've
named it. I've taken a break from a
long-term relationship in crisis, from
work and from the incessant rain.

S

at on the plane, it started. 'We're
celebrating our 25th wedding
anniversary,' says the female half
of the couple I'm ménage à
troising for the next 10 hours, in seats
24, 25 and 26 of the Bœing 787
Dreamliner. 'So, where's your husband?'
she asks, looking around. I follow her
eyes, wondering what she's looking for,
before realising she's scanning the plane
for him, my elusive other half. 'I don't
have a husband,' I say. 'Oh, partner
then?' she asks, thinking I'm being
facetious. 'Nope, I haven't got one of
those either,' I say. 'I'm by myself.'
She looks mortified, turning to
her husband for help. He stares out
of the window. After a few moments of

48

DINNER FOR ONE
Concerned by the number of couples
and honeymooners enjoying the sun and
sand, I arrive in the Mexican coastal
town of Tulum. But after a day or two of
solitude, I realise something: I don't feel
like I'm missing out. I keep coming across
couples battling with the relationship
nemesis that has led to many a break-up:
compromise. Discussing whether to have
pizza, or steak, to eat at this place or try
the other one they passed half an hour
ago... They look stressed.
I stroll past, picking
COCKTAILS WERE
my refuelling points
THE ORDER OF
THE DAY
at random.
The funny
thing is, sitting
alone in various
restaurants,
I don't feel
lonely. While
many places
have Wi-Fi
so I can catch up
KIA PLEASED
with social media,
HERSELF WHERE
or pretend to be occupied
SHE ATE
with emails, many don't, so
it's just me, my food and my
surroundings. Dining in solitude
forces a mindfulness on me, moreso
than any meditation class. I'm focusing



Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of NationalExpressSummer2017

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