Binky's Reverie

By Lawrence G. Taylor

For those without luck or courage for a consummate love

Binky's Reverie is a YA story that first appeared in my debut book, Strangers in Another Country––a short story collection. The story is about the coming of age of Binky Brown, a young Guyanese man with an idealised view of love and, to a lesser degree, about his quest for self-realisation and his place and calling in life.

Linda is a young Swedish woman who has broken up with her boyfriend and takes a university break to spend some time in London as an au pair. She meets Binky at the Lutheran Church's social club; they become friends and indulge in a gentle romance, but not beyond. For Linda, it's a romance without a future. The romance offers enjoyment and frustration for the man who has never gone to bed with a woman but loves dating beautiful girls who set their own agenda because he lacks the confidence to move matters forward. Linda's message is clear to Binky. Only romance. Their friendship continued through letters (hers: I miss our dates, your jokes and humour, yours truly or loving) after returning to Sweden. Linda then invites Binky to Sweden for a holiday. Linda likes him a lot, but only as a friend. Binky hopes to go beyond kissing, caressing and cuddling. His hope is consummate love. But in his courtship, mere words and low confidence prevail. Binky hopes Linda will take the initiative that will take him off the shelf.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lawrence G. Taylor
• Release date: Apr 5, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201340254

Lawrence G. Taylor

I was born in Guyana, left there for the UK; worked and studied in London, before taking up residence in Sweden in autumn 1969. In the 70s, I tried my hand at writing fiction, mostly short stories, a four-act closet drama, a novella, and an unfinished novel. I spent two years nurturing the ambition to become an author of some repute. But the going was tough, with no financial security for the future. I shelved the idea of earning a living through writing and got a job as a hospital porter. Later, I got a BA (Eng. & Edu.). After a summer job at a psychiatric hospital, I decided to do a 4-term course for mental-health carers, Following that I completed the first of two stages of psychotherapy education and several short courses in cognitive therapy. After retirement, I did part-time mental health counselling work for several years. In February 2016, my debut book appeared: Strangers In Another Country, a collection of two short stories and two novellas, available in ebook and paperback. On 9th Dec. 2016, I published a novella, The Eternal Struggle: An Amorous Story. In March 2017, Two Girls in a Café, a short story appeared. Making Sense Of Past Time - a Novel available in paperback, and ebook format. Tell Me Who My Enemy Is - a four-act closet drama published this summer (2018). The Ballad of Calle and Maja - a short story published Nov 2018. Getting it Right, if Ever – Romance Novella was published 22nd Aug -19 Four Bittersweet Romances & A Four-Act Closet Drama was published 3rd Nov 2019. In 2020, I published a short story, Darker Than Blue --This Mortal Coil. MY BOOKS ARE UPDATED (Dec 2020). I have a Twitter account @lgt41 and a blog page: lgt41blog.wordpress.com. I’m a hobby photographer, and you can view several of my images at https://www.foap.com/community/profiles/lgt41 I sincerely hope you find my stories enjoyable, and a review of my books would be much appreciated. Lawrence G. Taylor

Book preview

Binky’s Reverie

ONE SUNNY MORNING in July 1963, a train stopped at the Central Railway Station in a southern Swedish university town. Binky Brown, age twenty, of medium height, gaunt and handsome face, alighted from the carriage after struggling with a heavy suitcase. Sluggishly, the young man made his way from the platform to the central area of the station. Resting his suitcase and welcoming the momentary relief from its weight, the weary young man glanced around. His brown eyes scanned for the appearance of his two indigenous friends. His heart yearned for his two friends to greet and pick him up.

There was no sign of Kerstin and Linda. The young man expected them to be there, perhaps waiting in nervous anticipation and overjoyed at his arrival. A sense of thwarted expectation entered him. He could consider why the two girls were not there to meet him. It seemed reasonable that Kerstin was not there, but Linda’s absence was unnerving. The train arrived an hour late, but he did not perceive this as an excuse. The long trip was such a struggle – physically and financially.

The young man’s eyes scanned the station, casting glances at almost every skirt, far and near. A sad feeling came over him. He felt perplexed about his current predicament. As time passed, Binky doubted his friends’ arrival and contemplated turning into an abandoned sheep—a probably uninvited guest.

Binky thought of Linda’s last letter. He tried but was no longer sure she had promised to meet him at the station. Perhaps it was his sense of propriety that prompted him to expect this. The character of the two girls was a factor that made him wish for their presence. His anguish grew. He experienced humiliation and annoyance.

Two desires propelled Binky Brown’s visit to the southern Swedish town. One was to promote his friendship with Linda to a level of total intimacy. The other was to visit the country, which was the closest thing to paradise to his imagination.

It had all started in Guyana. Ingrid Bergman’s beauty on the celluloid screen fascinated Binky growing up. To him, she was the epitome of Swedish elegance. His infatuation for the country continued over the years.

The myth of an uninhibited attitude to carnal knowledge, the image of uncomplicated sex devoid of the romantic notion of a man’s need to hunt and struggle in search of genuine love, could have influenced the imagination of this coming-of-age youth.

All that and more lay behind Binky’s one-sided love affair. The British television documentaries on the country’s high standard of living played their part.

It was not yet his first full year in England, at a social gathering held at a Lutheran church off Gloucester Road, where he first met his two Swedish friends before deciding spontaneously to visit Sweden. For Binky, reaching Sweden was like a dream that had come true.

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After an hour, common sense urged Binky to do something constructive about the situation by attempting to reach Linda’s address through his efforts. Otherwise, he could stand there all day.

The tired young man reached for his suitcase, frowning and whining, shuffling conspicuously to the main entrance.

When he reached the threshold, Binky stared at a line of five taxis. He considered taking one to Linda’s but soon gave up the idea, believing it a waste of hard money to part with so early. Sitting in a taxicab and being wheeled away to a girl who had disappointed him was probably not worth it. Only the sum of 800 Swedish crowns he had left to his name started from Victoria Station with 1000.

Some cash had vanished in exchange for a carton of cigarettes intended for Linda as a present, a box of chocolates for Kerstin, a few cigarettes for himself, and some snacks and beverages on his harsh train ride from Ostend Lubeck.

Binky had taken some sandwiches with him on setting out from his home in Chelsea. He was a hearty eater of light foods, fond of bread, and less excited about nutritious foods. 

After pondering, Binky wisely took a cab because finding places never came quickly. Suitcase in hand, he made a couple of clumsy steps and a shambling gait to the last taxi nearest to where he had stood. But he soon learned