Magic In Munich
A beautiful city, a long-awaited reunion with her son – how could Julia’s holiday be any more perfect?
The canopy of leaves in the English Garden stretched out below Julia’s window, a vibrant mix of reds and golds. Sunshine gleamed on the gables and rooftops as the city of Munich stirred into life.
Julia leaned on the balcony rail and took a deep breath. The air felt clean and fresh above the park, like the crisp air in the mountains.
The Alps themselves were visible in the haze on the horizon.
She felt a flutter of excitement at the prospect of spending three whole days with her son.
Jack had moved to Germany two years ago, when his company offered him a promotion. Julia had never figured out exactly what her son did, but he was clearly a high-flyer in the tech industry, and he loved his work.
“You won’t believe how beautiful the city is, or how well they’re going to pay me!” Jack had bubbled with enthusiasm over the telephone.
Julia had congratulated him warmly, trying hard to ignore the rising tide of anxiety at the back of her mind. She and her son had been close since her husband, Michael, died, while Jack was still a teenager. They lived on opposite sides of London but Jack was usually just a Tube ride away.
Julia knew that she would miss his many visits. Jack had always liked to surprise her, dropping in unexpectedly for a meal or a nightcap by the fire.
It never occurred to either of them that it would be eighteen months before they were together again.
Julia smiled with pleasure at the memory of last night’s arrival.
Jack had whisked her off to sample the delights of afternoon tea at Munich’s famous food market.
They had sat together in a basket chair, reminiscent of the windswept sands of a Baltic beach. Jack had poured the coffee while they had savoured slices of warm apple strudel, laden with cream.
An Italian meal under the stars, at a street café below Jack’s apartment, had rounded off the evening perfectly.
When Julia’s head hit the pillows in the chic hotel, which Jack had booked for her, she had enjoyed her best sleep in months.
Jack was in the lobby next morning when she came down after a leisurely breakfast. He was chatting in German with a receptionist. She was rather beautiful, Julia thought; elegant features framed by a halo of dark curls.
Jack glanced up and saw his mother.
“I thought you must be having a lie-in,” he teased, giving Julia a quick peck on the cheek. “Hope you’re ready to be dazzled by the delights of the beer festival?”
“It’s a bit early for drinking,” Julia mused with a smile, “but I’d like to try the carousel you told me about. The view sounds amazing!”
They caught the tram out to the square where the Oktoberfest took place each year.
Named after the Princess, whose wedding to the Crown Prince of Bavaria inspired the original celebrations, there was little greenery to be seen.
Instead the “Theresa Meadow” was brimming with vast and lively beer halls, brightly lit booths and traditional fairground attractions.
“It’s the size of about sixty football fields,” Jack informed her as they wandered.
“Oh, I remember your dad telling me about it,” Julia replied. “He came to the Oktoberfest as a student. Definitely for the beer!”
“Sounds like Dad!” Jack chuckled.
Julia nodded. Her husband had admitted to spending a rather chilly night on a bench at the railway station afterwards, no money left for accommodation. Best not to reveal that ending, Julia resolved.
She linked arms with her son and they queued for a ride on the big wheel with its painted, wooden cabins. It was exhilarating to sail up into a cornflower-blue sky to escape the crowds.
Back on the ground, Jack ushered Julia to a quieter table for coffee and buttered pretzels. His mobile buzzed and he excused himself to take the call.
“There’s someone I’d like you to meet,” Jack murmured, as he returned to his seat looking sheepish. He beckoned over a young woman, who had clearly been waiting for his signal.
Without her uniform, the hotel receptionist looked less confident.
She gave Julia a warm smile and shook hands.
“This is Rebekka,” Jack said proudly. He put his arm around her waist.
“Lovely to meet you,” Julia beamed. “Now I know how Jack discovered such a gem of a hotel.”
By late afternoon, Julia had still not found the moment to confide in her son about her own new romance.
She and Michael had visited Munich as part of their own honeymoon, walking in the sunshine along the banks of the River Isar.
Was it something in the air or the beer, Julia wondered?
She smiled to herself as she watched Jack and his new fiancée dancing, right in the heart of the Oktoberfest crowd.
Pick up a copy of My Weekly every Tuesday for original fiction stories, and look out for new fiction content on our website every week.
