"And the view's so nice" the graffitied slogan had promised on the way up, the dot on the 'i' replaced (rather soppily, William felt) with a love heart. The gentle ascent to the top of Primrose Hill had taken no time at all, and his spirits had been lifted by an unexpected burst of sunshine as they approached the summit. A small crowd awaited them, tourists mostly, there to sample the views afforded of the London skyline. He stopped for a moment to take in the familiar panorama, a rather awkward blend of high-rise monoliths, domes and spires.
"Let's take a picture," Alison announced, tugging excitedly at his arm, skipping in front of him. "Let's get someone to take one of us together."
"Not now darling," he said, brushing her aside, "later maybe."
"But I might not be in the mood later," she pouted "and then I won't have anything to remind me of how happy we were."
"We've got lots of pictures of us together. Won't they suffice?"
"But I want one of us now," she insisted, "not then, not at some point in the future when we can't stand the sight of each other, right this second."
She stood in front of him, assuming a starfish position to block his path.
"I don't understand why you need a photo to remember everything," he said, unimpressed by her attempts at playfulness, "isn't it enough to remember and be done with it? Won't that be fresher than some photo which has been buried in the attic for twenty years?"
"Certainly not! When I'm old and grey and have lost my looks, and maybe I won't have you, and maybe I won't even have anyone, and my memories won't be what they once were; then, I shall look back and want to remember what it felt like to be young, desirable and in love."
"Why on earth would you want to do that?" he scoffed, his irritation now getting the better of him, "that's madness. You'll just end up feeling bitter and resentful. You should count it as a blessing if your memories fade."
"Oh William," she frowned "I've no doubt I'll feel maudlin and maybe a little tearful. But I will remember, and that's the most important thing." She allowed her gaze to dip before adding: "but I don't suppose I could possibly expect you to understand."
Alison walked a little ahead now, her energy temporarily sapped, humming a tune which William couldn't make out through the background noise. An aeroplane roared overhead, trailblazing its way beyond the precipice. He looked at her familiar figure in front of him, now hunched in a rather affected show of nonchalance. A bracing wind had picked up and he could see she was shivering slightly, arms folded inside her cardigan. Ashamed at himself for having allowed his temper to show earlier, William bounded up behind her and swept her body into his arms. He clung tightly, as if seeking reassurance, before giving her a repentant peck on the cheek:
"We can take a picture if you like. I really don't mind."
"No, I don't think I really want to. I think it will feel a bit forced now, don't you?" she said, passive and distracted, "let's go and get something to eat."
