I spend most of the following week creating a backup article in case I couldn't find a better one in time.430Please respect copyright.PENANAo9m397CEw4
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It was Friday, and I was bored. I knew only too well that I had stiff to be getting on with, but at the point I jar needed it most, the router had decided to break down. copyright protection426PENANAvbYW9Kfdo4
Not being too much if a whizz with technology myself, and nor wishing to do further damage to it, I had decided it was better to leave it for BT to fix for me. copyright protection426PENANA4uqHPUexb4
After a good couple of minutes of boredom, I pulled on my coat, found my wallet and stepped out into the freezing cold. copyright protection426PENANAnXEzs8ghE8
I was definitely colder than I had expected. I shivered in the small autumnal jacket I had found in the back of my wardrobe and wished I'd been bothered to pull out a bigger one instead. copyright protection426PENANAolGyRvq9lW
I stopped in the middle of the street, lost amongst the crowd of people, pondering for a moment. copyright protection426PENANAHOONqOazft
It had suddenly hit me. What to get my mother for Christmas. copyright protection426PENANAwdSh8fisjL
I usually got her jewellery, but I was so bored right now and wanted to get her something slightly different. copyright protection426PENANAlMkq298b2w
It had dawned upon me that she rarely ever got out (but don't get the wrong idea. She isn't a little old grandma; she's 45), purely because "it's always too cold" . I don't know exactly why it hadn't occurred to me before to get her a new jacket so maybe I could persuade her to get out some more and catch a little bit of fresh air. copyright protection426PENANArs0U7ozKjl
Suddenly I heard a shout from across the street. copyright protection426PENANAoW1xyAssBu
"Hey, mi amigo!" the man said, waving being slightly too conspicuous for my liking. copyright protection426PENANA9MAxFg3L9F
"H-hi, Antonio," I said quietly, hoping to avoid the stares of members of the public around me. copyright protection426PENANAzYxNK6afOe
Antonio was wearing a long beige trench coat and a tricolour scarf. It was green, white and red, and as he crossed the road it flapped madly in the wind. copyright protection426PENANACRpwFtPzji
I couldn't help but notice that on his back was a large black guitar case. copyright protection426PENANAHCfCSh8nrG
"I didn't know you played the guitar," I remarked. copyright protection426PENANAtXtJiCddKV
"Ah, well, there's a lot if things you don't know about me," he replied, winking and tapping his nose. "Did you want to hear me play?" copyright protection426PENANArrrGjqCDBH
"Oh! Yes, please, if it wouldn't be too much trouble..."copyright protection426PENANAwcGiH6rRD8
Antonio set the enormous case down by a wall. The guitar inside was an acoustic and natural amber in colour. copyright protection426PENANAYHu5ZfoWeH
He magically produced a pick out of nowhere, positioned the guitar and began to play. copyright protection426PENANA3EQn2jwBmZ
People around us stopped and stared. I turned away and blushed in embarrassment, but Antonio continued to play, and began to sing;430Please respect copyright.PENANA1ZMUtmqd99
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I've tried playin' it cool, copyright protection426PENANABJmoOWIQtE
But when I'm lookin' at you, copyright protection426PENANAVZocwM0onC
I can't ever be brave, copyright protection426PENANAuKXz85tplD
'Cause you make my heart race. copyright protection426PENANA4eYrAtcV7w
Shot me out of the sky, copyright protection426PENANA6MQ02eGEWk
You're my kryptonite, copyright protection426PENANAzgQKfODET3
You keep making me weak, copyright protection426PENANAmoyQmA9bEO
Yeah, frozen and can't breathe. copyright protection426PENANAKiQXow5zps
Something's gotta give now, copyright protection426PENANAJ3n5yvIp6a
'Cause I'm dying just to make you see, copyright protection426PENANA71rV3FxS8I
That I need you here with me now, copyright protection426PENANAve5oCOEsKI
Yeah, you've got that one thingcopyright protection426PENANAkkEbXHwa10
So get out, get out, get out of my head, copyright protection426PENANAWKHTcLyrgE
And fall into my arms instead, copyright protection426PENANAK0cJ70kq8f
I don't, I don't, don't know what it is, copyright protection426PENANAtPa1NMOpB7
But I need that in thing, yeah, copyright protection426PENANAxC6jieLSaQ
You've got that one thing. copyright protection426PENANAdxMa8DCUXu
His newly gathered burst into applause and he looked up in shock. copyright protection426PENANAhsbeOjxZ8k
To be honest, I was in shock too; Antonio had such a beautiful singing voice, and he was good at the guitar too. copyright protection426PENANAO00MXp9jgj
He looked at me. copyright protection426PENANA0tf28lImSg
"Well, I didn't expect that..."copyright protection426PENANAk4JHoLBpJe
"You're talented."copyright protection426PENANACwnMMDVG7z
He stared at my face. copyright protection426PENANATWklYQNFo7
"That's exactly what my wife said. This was... The song I sang to her when I proposed."copyright protection426PENANA2ol1I5VJn2
"Proposed? You mean, you're married?"copyright protection426PENANAMC0h7psfWC
His face suddenly turned... a little sad. copyright protection426PENANA09BaSOlb3g
As the crowd dispersed, I quickly changed the subject. copyright protection426PENANAyFeZ35KWli
"W-what do you do for a living?" I asked, trying not to shiver. copyright protection426PENANAYNunWzyvBc
His face changed a little. copyright protection426PENANARlPBobrQ4y
"I teach music lessons at Chesgrove school." he said, putting the guitar away. "They're a very talented bunch!" copyright protection426PENANAKjl9WWNAfj
I nodded and exhaled, staring, mesmerised by the condensation happening in the air. copyright protection426PENANAo9GBYizs0G
"You look chilly," he pointed out unhelpfully. copyright protection426PENANADmQHaeUQ5d
"Uhh... Um..."copyright protection426PENANAFPtQmhwrvx
My teeth were chattering by now, and I was shivering almost uncontrollably. copyright protection426PENANAsu0Br3UI8n
"Here."copyright protection426PENANABvgCouL35U
Antonio took off his scarf and wrapped it around me. copyright protection426PENANAOejk8gfXKA
"I-i-it's f-f-fine... " I stuttered. copyright protection426PENANAob3DzRZvmL
"I have many, many more at home. Don't worry about it."copyright protection426PENANAVav1jkmLiQ
He stood back and beamed. copyright protection426PENANAOYrHUDm7Jh
"There we go! You look warmer already!" copyright protection426PENANANhRe69d02j
I realised that I was no longer shaking like a man possessed. Antonio put a hand on my shoulder. copyright protection426PENANAyfWEN9YOVP
"Keep it. Trust me, I have a whole collection of scarfs at home!"copyright protection426PENANAwNX2BMgOE1
It was at the very moment I stepped inside that I had forgotten to do what I had originally set out to do.copyright protection426PENANAa46C9Uya1x
Groaning, I slumped into the chair and turned on my laptop. copyright protection426PENANAR0I6MIJWJV
The router was working again, and I found an email from BT in my inbox. copyright protection426PENANAHjtWBweCiE
Dear Mr Osborne, copyright protection426PENANA8V6TPhD6D8
The problem with your router seemed to have been caused by issues with our server. We have bow fixed the problem. copyright protection426PENANAROeZKtDobD
The repair will be free of charge. copyright protection426PENANAfQlFzrtnQr
Thank you for your understanding, copyright protection426PENANA2ZfSDlyylC
BTcopyright protection426PENANA5EvcQTHzHb
I signed again, and hung up my coat. copyright protection426PENANAwNMYWSNMaZ
I stared at Antonio's scarf for a moment, before rolling it up neatly and placing it on the table in front of me. copyright protection426PENANAtB58vDEYoa
I stared at my laptop for a while, as if an idea for the article would somehow magically pop into my head. And then I pushed the laptop out of the way and banged my head on the table. copyright protection426PENANAeK7nSaCaRv
The Christmas fair article wouldn't be enough. copyright protection426PENANAI7KKKupeuL
Call me pessimistic, but my career was as good as finished. copyright protection426PENANAkPEipNu76t
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