August and September 1980

Over the next few weeks we do not see each other. 
The truth is, there would be no point seeing her unless I had changed my mind about becoming engaged. 
Or unless she had changed her mind? But how likely was that? 
On one or two occassions I walk past her house. 
But, thankfully, she is not there.
Other ideas come into my mind. Other thoughts.
I plan to do this. Or to do that.
But, in the end, I did nothing. 
And, really, what can I do?
Julie and I had nothing else to say to each other.

And so it was that in this way, slowly, but surely, the days passed.

Julie's new boyfriend has always moved in slightly different circles from the rest of us... 
And now that he is with her, he becomes invisible.
As does she.
She does not come up to the club.
She is not over the park. Which has now lost its interest and, quite soon, we all stop going over there.
She does not come to the Rio.  
And I knew - inside - that as those days passed, Julie and her new boyfriend were becoming "close". As a couple. As her and I had been together.

And I knew that "our" time - mine and hers - was becoming 'The Past'.
That it was really over. 
For once and for all.