Late Sunday night I needed a bit of head space, I decided the only place to get a mental reprieve was the local book shop. I wrapped my long blonde curls up in a bun, put on my favourite pink glasses, curled up in a comfy chair by the lit fireplace and pulled out North and South. In the background seasonal music was playing; I was truly lost in the beauty of the moment, soaking up Mr Thornton’s kindness, when I became very aware a handsome male figure was looking directly at me and had been for quite some time. Never knowing what to do in such embarrassing situations, I decided to continue reading, suddenly a voice said “I love that novel”, I looked up to find the sales clerk smiling, I laughed and admitted I have a special place in my heart for North and South, having fallen for it’s charm as a young teen! Of course by then my shyness had dissipated and I began sharing my adoration for Mr. Armitage’s portrayal of John Thornton, which I would put on equal measure with Mr. Firth’s portrayal of Mr. Darcy! The sales clerk looked at me and with all seriousness told me he adored both Richard Armitage and Colin Firth and of course a friendship was born 
! What followed was a good 20 minute chat about books, the classics mostly, as well as Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky.
At the end of our little escapade, the clerk turned to me and said “I think I hate you because you are just so beautifully exquisitely British, like something out of a film; you’re a person I’m sure Richard or Colin would gladly spend time with”. I laughed and said I was sorry meeting me conjured up such multifarious emotions, to which he said “now I think I love you”. And we both ended our evening soiree with laughter straight from the belly!
Just another beautiful chapter in the life book. Just another example of literature conjuring up such intricate emotions. Just another example of finding commonalities and friendships around every corner. Just another example of the joy Richard Armitage and Colin Firth bring to my life and the life of handsome book shop geeks the world over!
That is the funniest story ever!! I think if Richard ever met you, he’d fall head over heels for ya!
I am not so certain that is what would happen, but I appreciate your confidence it would
Five minutes later and I’m still chucking!!!!
omg sorry I meant chuckling! LOL!!!
lol indeed
The picture reminded me of a wonderful used bookstore my DH and I visit occasionally. It is in an old mill and has huge windows that look out over the rushing river and the trees bordering it. When you sit near a window, you can hear the lovely sound of the rushing water. Now I’ll have to reread North and South! And see the movie–how did I miss it?!?
That sounds beautiful! I believe it was probably on PBS in the US I know many libraries have it on DVD!
You had me at handsome book shop geek. Sigh.
Ha! He was so sweet, you’d of liked him!
Perhaps the fact that Richard’s still single means he’s just waiting for the right woman – he just hasn’t met you yet!
If only
I will admit though, that he is very much my type {I mean the stuff away from the limelight}, almost eerily so!
i wish we had bookshops here with reading chairs and fireplaces! love you canada!
i wish we could see just how much like kate winslet you really do look. i love her so. blonde curls, i pictured you as a brunette! hee hee
Nope I’m a real blonde! Obvious by my forgetful nature
We’ve been away for a few days and it is so lovely to spend some time this morning hearing your humor and voice again! I have always thought you would be the perfect wife for Richard Armitage especially after the interview where it was obvious how much you had in common!
Oh yes, things in common but he deserves someone far far “better” than I!
such a romantic little story;) so will we hear of more tales of the “handsome book store clerk”?
No! Albeit if I’m in that city again I’m sure I’ll visit him for a literature chat (as friends!)
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Never heard of him. Googling right now.
Well, what did you think?
What fun! Isn’t the music to N&S amazing? I love it. I am soooo sad that I seem to have misplaced one of the discs is our recent moves. We are holding out hope that it will appear when we are able to find and unpack the dvd player we’ve had packed since May. Ugh. I miss the movie so!!! I have always thought he would make SUCH a fabulous Mr. Darcy, sorry to Colin and Matthew. Never seen him in anything else, but LOVED the movie soooo much.
He would make a wonderful Mr. Darcy, in fact I’m sure Richard Armitage is my Mr. Darcy! lol
Ha ha, I was reading your blog thinking “who on earth is Richard Armitage??”, “Never heard of him before”, “must be some English or Canadian guy who hasn’t yet made it in Australia”. So I’ve just googled him, and course I know him, just not his name – to me, he’s just Guy of Gisbourne!
Guy he is….!
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