💫 With total recall ✨

✨With total recall💫

South Kensington

I locate my fear in my stomach as I hear the sudden, unaccustomed sounds of so many children’s voices reverberating in a huge bare-walled room on my first morning in junior school.

SW1

I feel his chin stubble on my face, as my Father kisses me good night. Smiling, I hear myself say, “Do it again”.

Hyde Park Corner

I am wrapped in delight and surprise, when I hear the sequence of notes of my own Mother humming “Jesu Joy Of Man’s Desiring”. We are walking hand in hand along the busy main road to the bus stop.

Saint-Rémy-de-Provence

Last in line, I am standing close to my first bright salamander. I am greedy for the acrid scent of wild thyme in my nostrils. We are on our way to climb the hill.

Geneva

Safe on my own, happy in a foreign land, I feel the pavement all hot under my young sandalled feet. A coin in my pocket will soon buy me an exotic ice cream.

Rowledge

I am transfixed in bliss, aged only 17. It is my first sight of flesh-coloured azaleas in high summer. For the rest of my life, I am filled up by their shockingly sensual scent.

Sicily

I bring into existence again the scent of jasmine at dusk at the entrance to the ancient Greek theatre at Taormina.

W8

I remember with finest detail our first kisses. It is similar to letting myself fall into the pool from the high board.

W1

I see it again and again. The head of our firstborn is appearing!