We parked the car at Weston Shore and took a walk/scoot alongside Southampton Water. At Centenary Quay, we stopped at a restaurant terrace, where the water had become the River Itchen, for some liquid refreshment and a charming young waitress took our order. After a little hesitation I asked if she would temporarily shed her mask and have her photo taken. I explained Flickr and The Human Family group.
'Me?' she asked.
'Yes,' I replied.
I asked her name.
'Alice,' she said.
'Like Alice in Wonderland' I said.
She went on to say that at one workplace, people who asked her name seemed to hear Alex rather than Alice so she took to saying each time, 'Alice, like Alice in Wonderland.'
I introduced myself. I understood she would return for the photo. We waited. Alice came out two or three times (Alice in Wonderland) each time to bring somebody else's order. A young waiter brought our hot chocolate and coffee. I thought Alice was too embarrassed to say she did not want her photo taken. I felt disappointed.
Then, suddenly, there she was (Alice in Wonderland) sitting at the next table ready for her portrait, maintaining social distance. As I was setting up the camera I heard Ray speaking with Alice. She is from Poland, but is half German, on her father's side of the family. She told Ray she came to England briefly, to Manchester, when she was small but it rained and was cold - evidently she was not impressed.
I cannot remember the exact sequence of picture-taking and narrative-making. It was rather breezy. I must apologise to Alice for not noticing the wind had blown her hair but nevertheless I really liked the portrait which I have used. She came to university at Southampton; we forgot to ask her subject. She worked for a while at Showcase Cinema and was pleased she did as there she met her fiancé, Ruben, who is Portuguese.
I offered photos and, at her request, Ray put my email address into Alice's mobile. I stressed that any photos I send are complimentary as I hate to think anyone suspects me of any kind of scam. Alice understood this as my hobby. I said thank you and we went on our way.
https://flic.kr/p/2mamArg
