Rocking and Rolling

During our recent visit to Crete Mister E and I stayed in a small boutique hotel renowned for its gastronomic offering. Still on UK time, we reserved a table in the restaurant on our first night for somewhat late in the evening. So much so that as we entered the other diners were already in the process of leaving. 

It was a relatively small room, perhaps a dozen tables, certainly no more. 

Shortly after we sat down and the other guests departed, an obvious security guard entered and began to rearrange tables. He came and went, communicating by walkie talkie and indicating to the waiting staff that: "They say they won't be long."

Obviously our interest was drawn and when suddenly we spotted three people running up the staircase, our eyes turned to the entrance. Shouldered on either side by two apparent minders was someone whom I can only describe as the most enlivened ball of nervous energy I have ever encountered.

 "That's X," said Mister E.

"No, it's a woman," I responded.

When X spoke, it was evident I was wrong and after a short period of unobtrusive ear wigging that Mister E was correct. We are, of course, not ones for celebrity culture. However, Mister E confessed quietly to me that he does still have some of X's vinyl albums for despite his advancing years, X remains one of the world's most iconic rock musicians. Nevertheless we were clearly regarded  by the security put in place as a harmless old couple, neither of whom was likely to post to social media, call the local press or do anything to disturb X's clear wish for privacy. 

The security was right except on several occasions during the remainder of our stay, I made sure to sit in the chair X had occupied. I mean even elderly couples have to get their giggles in somehow! 

That said, encountering somebody so well known in such circumstances did make me feel grateful for my own lack of talent. Clearly X hasn't retired but how awful must it be to spend your dotage having to avoid the crowds and employ minders to look out for you. Ultimately, of course, somebody spilled the beans and the media caught up with X on the day he left Crete.

Now coincidentally that was the same day the we were upgraded to the best suite in the hotel which had become vacant. I've no way of  knowing if X actually stayed there or if he was just eating in the restaurant. It would be nice to think that was our reward for silence, but thank goodness we don't go in for hero worship because sleeping in his bed would be just be too good a story not to tell!

(Image by Pexels from Pixabay)