As I sipped a drink in the sun, I didn’t know I was about to make a friend for life. By Amy Matthews, 28
I opened the curtains and the sun streamed through the guesthouse windows.
Right, let’s get out there, I thought to myself.
After a hectic month performing my show at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, I’d booked a solo holiday to Porto, Portugal.
I’d gone through a bad break-up with my boyfriend the year before and this was my first holiday alone.
But as a comedian, I was used to going on stage on my own, so I reckoned I could cope.
Now, I strolled out to a café on the waterfront and treated myself to a delicious brunch and a glass of white port.
‘Do you mind if I sit here?’
As the morning went on, the tables around me filled up.
Then, a smartly dressed man with a white beard came up and asked: ‘Do you mind if I sit here?’
‘Of course not,’ I replied, making room.
For half an hour, we sat in companionable silence, watching the world go by.
Then the man said: ‘My husband Peter is back in England, so I’m meeting a friend for a vineyard tour later, no harm in a little tipple now though.’
I smiled before explaining my own reasons for my solo trip.
His name was John and at 60 he was 32 years older than me, but as we got chatting, I found him easy company.
Over a few glasses of port, I told John about my break-up, life on the comedy circuit and my plans for the rest of my trip.
John opened up too, telling me more about his life with Peter and their dog Boris at home in Scarborough, North Yorkshire, as well as what it was like to be on the gay scene in the Eighties.
Then John had to leave for his wine tour. But before he dashed off, he scribbled down his name, number and address.
‘If you’re ever in Scarborough…’ he said, giving me a wave.
What a lovely man, I thought.
Not wanting to forget our special meeting, and thinking I was unlikely to see John again, I started sketching his portrait on the page he’d given me.
I tried to capture his kind eyes and knowledgeable smile.
After enjoying the rest of my trip, I headed home to Edinburgh. And two weeks later, something funny happened. My agent emailed offering me a gig in Scarborough.
I thought of John and smiled. It felt like it was meant to be.
I accepted the gig, then texted John to say I’d be in the neighbourhood.
For a moment I wondered if he’d remember me, but minutes later he called and said: ‘You must stay with us!’
So, when I pulled into Scarborough train station a couple of months on, John was waiting for me.
I’d decided to make a weekend of it, coming down the night before my gig.
That evening, he and Peter took me to drag bingo, and the next day we walked Boris along the beach before John and Peter sat in the front row at my comedy gig.
It was lovely.
Before I left, I wanted to give John a gift as a thank you for having me.
Handing over the sketch I’d made of him the day we met, his eyes filled up as he let out a happy laugh.
The portrait now hangs pride of place in his kitchen!
We’ve kept in touch and he and Peter are coming to visit me and my new partner in Edinburgh during this year’s festival.
I’m so glad I took that solo holiday because if I hadn’t I’d never have met John.
I came home with the best souvenir ever — a friend for life.