Dateline Oxford 1952— St Valentine’s Day

 

Dublin Press reporter interviews Dreams in the Distance O. C. Ogilvie

 

Reporter – Sergeant Ogilvie, may I have a word?

1. C. – Aye.

Reporter – Do you know what day it is?

1. C. – Believe ’tis Thursday.

Reporter – I mean the holiday.

1. C. – Och, dinna believe I do, sairy.

Reporter – It’s St Valentine’s Day. Have you a sweetheart Sergeant.

1. C. – Och, ye can go ahead an’ call me Ollie if ye wish. An’ naw, I dinna.

Reporter – A fine handsome veteran like yourself, no sweetheart? With that luscious red hair, magical green eyes, and so tall.

Ollie – Naw, an’ dinna try an’ flatter me. I ken better.

Reporter – How old are you?

Ollie – Twenty-nine.

Reporter – You must have had girlfriends. (Oh, he’s blushing)

Ollie – One. (He looks down)

Reporter – And she’s no more?

Ollie – (His eyes gleam) Gone. She’s gone.

Reporter – What was her name.

Ollie – Glenda.

Reporter – And you loved her?

Ollie – (Neck, face, and overlarge ears glow red) Aye.

Reporter – Can you tell me about her? Where did you meet her? (this is like pulling teeth)

Ollie – Army sister. Was wounded at El Alamein. She nursed me.

Reporter – What was she like?

Ollie – Gentle. Smart. Pretty.

Reporter – What happened?

Ollie – Naw. Canna go there.

Reporter – St Valentine’s Day is a tough one then.

Ollie – Everyday. Part o’ me insides was yanked oot. So empty. So angry. At her. At God. Juist wanted to die. They wouldna let me. Years o’ tryin’ to drown meself in drink till I was rescued frae the pit.

Reporter – A sad day, then today.

Ollie –Nay so mooch. More February forth. Glenda’s birthday.