Finally the day has arrived, twenty one at last and I am going to have a big party. All the family are coming of course and some of my best friends, not all of them alas. Covid wreaked havoc with our social lives, but now it’s 2024 I think we have put that behind us. Of course the planet is still hovering on the brink of disaster, but hey let’s forget about that for one day, I’m going to have breakfast and open all my cards.
We’re having the do at that new hotel, very posh and a nice place to stay for those who have travelled. Dinner and dancing after, but informal as there will be lots of children. I wanted everyone to come and the visitors will span a century, can you believe that. The newest baby has been named Daphne after the amazing aunt who has just notched up one hundred years.
Here I am then, ready to greet all the guests. What nobody knows yet is that Charles and I are going to announce our engagement tonight, that will be a surprise for quite a few guests; all part of the excitement, life doesn’t get much better than this.
That meal was wonderful and now I must make my little speech before we release the children to let off steam.
‘Thank you everyone for joining me to celebrate my twenty first, it’s so wonderful to see everyone together after those Covid years and to be here with five generations of my family. I do have a little surprise for you. We have not known each other very long but Charles and I have decided to get engaged and we plan to have the wedding very soon, we don’t want to wait as he is ninety one. But Charles wants to add a few words… ‘
‘Well I never thought I would be getting married again, especially to a girl of twenty one, but that is the advantage of courting a young lady who was born in a leap year, 29th February 1940. How many great grandchildren we have between us we have lost count, but it’s wonderful to see both our families here. Here’s to the future.’
Times and Tides of a Beachwriter 
If only we aged a year every four years. Witty and surprising story.
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Thanks Len.
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You got me! I should have seen that twist coming but I didn’t.
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Hello Liz, glad I caught you.
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Yep, missed that – nicely done; I was waiting for the family to erupt in horror. Shame really..
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Thanks Geoff, yes a seventy year age gap might have caused concern!
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Nicely done!
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Thanks Audrey
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Ver Clever!
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I fell for it, Janet. Well done! 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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Thanks Pete, that’s what I like to hear.
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Well done, Janet. I taught 3-4 leap-year babies over the years, and they delighted telling their classmates how young they were, having their actual birthday number occur every four years.
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Hello Pete, I have never actually met a leap year baby!
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Double twist. Loved it! My mother-in-law and maternal grandmother were both born on March. I always wondered if they should celebrate on February 29 in leap years.
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Thanks Geoff.
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Love the twist. 😀
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That is wonderful! Put a smile on my lips this morning. I love a surprise ending!
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Thanks Darlene, glad you enjoyed it.
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Ah! Neat little twist there, Janet. Thanks for adding it to Click & Run.
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You’re welcome Stevie.
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