One of the questions I often asked myself whilst writing the Survivor book was. was finding a husband again possible, The book explored with I hope some bittersweet humour the journey through the court case and the tentaitve and often hilarious search of a middle aged woman for a husband….
The murders of two of my daughters by the British military ( so called special forces ) for retribution at bringing case and to try and as usual not pay their debts for the behaviours they chose. I had been spending some time in the Middle East. Here dating is not the same as in the west. In fact it is all the better for it. On my very first visit I was struck by the huge pictures on the buildings of Zayed the father of the UAE and then his sons and grandsons who are custodians of the Emirates. One of these being the President.
Now in a post dating world, my time has been free to concentrate on wholesome pursuits, writing, Art, theatre and of course trying to finalise the case settlement. Remaining in Europe is not possible and visiting the roots of my family history has been fantastic. The safety, the strict adherance to no alcohol and therefore drugs, gives the region a sense of calm serenity and safety.
So what in earth has any of this to do with a king…. A few years ago there was a joke that was ongoing about finding a husband not in europe, given I had been on a coffee date with most of the eligible men of my age in the region, In the GCC countries dating is not really the way that things happen and this left me free to day dream… and with the Presidents pictures on large buildings throughout the city who better to day dream about ?… Cue the most funny childlike crush ever for a grown middle aged woman.
Yes the British murdered my daughters, Yes the British refused to pay their debt, yes the British tried to use Israeli intelligence to support their efforts in covering for disgusting degenerate men. But the response to these things in the United Kingdom were quite simply astounding. This separation from western ideas in Europe gave me even more mental space to have a crush. Nothing cleans the soul of filthy lying men from your own culture, to day dreaming about am man from a different land and completely unavailable…
So my crush is pretty low key as life is busy and the President is not living in the same country as I am in currently. So it is like appreciating a fine piece of Art from afar. You know you arent going to own it or eve touch it, but its beauty you love. The other key difference is that ruling famillies are adored in the region. These men’s commitment to families, children, education and safe and sustainable societies is Legendary.
So on a regular Friday afternoon I book ticket to see the Devil Wears Prada to. The Cinema is in the Mall and a Starbucks after show with the character of choices name on the cup is necessary. So sat quietly drinking my Oat milk cappuccino with caramel, scrolling my phone for the work that is being done on the site from Dubai.. I look around the surroundings, its quiet and I see a man quite far walking towards Starbucks. His face looks familiar, wearing western clothes in white with retro light tint glasses I literally do a double take.
To try and place this into context the sheikhs of the ruling families are often out in the Emirates, the Malls, often stopping to talk to people, usually in the traditional clothing. But this man was not. He was sporting long shorts and t shirt, training shoes. He stood out, smart and confident in his walking, nonchalant, looking ahead and maybe into store windows. The familiarity for me was instant. This was y crush the President of the UAE…. Not in the UAE probably on a visit quietly. I am shocked so I almost spill my coffee in shock and I literally stare like a silly oversized puppy
Whatever I was wearing does not make a difference to the situation, as the President is not going to be looking at me sat in Starbucks in my overly baggy American Eagle Denims and sweater, Man CIty baseball cap and very well worn sneakers. But I cannot stop staring, truely his handsome face and naturally tanned skin tone, agianst the bright white sports clothing was breath taking… Obviously like any high profile individual, they want to enjoy so regular time away from the their high profile duties, so running over asking for a photograph autograph or a date would be ill advised… But nonetheless, for me it was such a special moment to see my crush in the Mall looking more handsome than in the huge pictures that are evident throughout Abu Dhabi..
This is one of the those cool moments. Far away from the horrors and the pain of the court case and the British court. I see my crush, not in carriage, not surrounded by suits and guns and security, but humble handsome, self assured and adored. I didn’t spill my coffee or behave like a middle aged over grown teenager, but I did stare appreciatively in one of those cool life moments…WOW….