Midsummer Madness or Flights of Fancy

For a considerable number of years now we have entertained the idea of a Mad Boy. Indeed, in our very first post we touched on this subject. A Mad Boy we see as one of life's pleasant diversions.

Cecil Beaton's portrait of Stephen Tennant with bronze bust by Jacob Epstein

Someone who is unconventional, charming, witty and fun. A person who will share our interests, accompany us to concerts and the theatre in a delightful manner, engage in lively and stimulating conversation and, possibly, on occasion, run out and hail taxis in the rain. Not so much, we feel, to ask.

Once, back in the past which is 'another country', we thought we had our person. But, as it proved, we were bound to disappointment. Apart from a flair for flower arranging, of which we were most appreciative, he actually turned out to be rather dull, tiresome even. His untoward departure, into a somewhat murky future, left us not a little relieved.

interior of The Strand branch of Coutts photographed in the 1970s

Some time later we were in our bank. Bank staff, we find, are so very polite and courteous so that, after whatever transaction was concluded, we happened to mention that we were considering placing an advertisement in The Times newspaper for a Mad Boy. He thought this somewhat unwise and advised against it. However, he did volunteer himself which we thought so kind. Alas, he lived in Acton.

Most recently we have a friend, a Swede, who is, in every sense, a true Mad Boy.

An accomplished musician, who graduated from the Music Academy here in Budapest, he is, when his mind is free of music, which is seldom, the most engaging of companions. His ability to play Rachmaninov on his beautiful Steinway is, we assure you, perfection itself. As is his Smógásbord! But sadly, as is the case with so many young musicians, he is near impoverished. And this, taking his Hungarian wife and baby daughter with him, has precipitated a return to Sweden.

So, the search continues............as before!