The space BETWEEN US

Cathy was trying to capture memories — but was it time to make new ones?

- Debbie Voller

As chat-up lines go, it was a bold and original one... ‘There are bears and wolves in these mountains, but don’t worry, I’ll protect you if we come across any.’

That's what Greg had promised her as they'd set off on their first hiking date together all those years ago. And that was why she'd come back to this beautiful place again. To try to feel close to him as she wandered along the wooden walkways that snaked over and around the turquoisecoloured lakes.

Plitvice Lakes National Park in Croatia was a lot more famous now than it had been back when she and Greg had met there as loved-up teenagers. They'd both been on holiday with their parents and a heady romance had ensued. It had been a lifetime ago - some 40 years.

And while the park was certainly more crowded these days, the cascading waterfalls were as majestic as ever, and Cathy was sure that this healing place would work its magic and help her to feel whole again.

But it did feel strange to be there without Greg.

‘I'd love to hear the wolves howling at night, wouldn’t you?’ she'd said back then. ‘Let's sit by the lake tonight and listen out for them.’

Of course, they hadn't heard any howling and the famous Plitvice bears kept far away from the tourists.

***

Back at the park hotel, after a long walk, Cathy got ready for dinner - the part of the holiday she'd been dreading. Surrounded by couples and families chatting excitedly about their adventures, she was going to stick out like a sore thumb.

So, when she spotted a table in a quiet corner where she could tuck herself away, she asked the waiter if she could sit there.

‘Sorry, madam. It's taken,’ he insisted. ‘But this one over here is perfect for you.’

‘But it's in the middle of the room! I'd rather…’

‘Trust me,’ the waiter smiled. ‘It's perfect.’