So who gave Can the Albatross hair clip. ?
A little back story to help....
CANS POV.
I Moor up, throw the rope and jump on to the jetty.
My land legs still work although I feel a bit stiff and sore around the neck and shoulders. I've been in the water today which has worked my muscles.
As usual when I come to a port I go for a wander around the shops to re-stock.
My appetite has been lower than usual but I've been using up calories with the daily life of handling a boat so I need to bulk up...I'm on the journey back to Istanbul and I've been anxious about my homecoming.
There seems to be a large store that stocks just about everything you could need for a journey.
A petite woman and a girl of about 6 or 7 yrs old with long dark plaits in her hair are behind the counter. I smile and wave a hand as I enter.
The little girl is adorable with big brown eyes... She looks at me shyly.
I take my time wandering the aisles putting lots of fruit and vegetables in my basket... Bread, Tea and other basics...
Then something catches my eye...
A shelf of notebooks, pens and general stationery items.
There's a yellow leather bound journal. I'm immediately drawn to the colour.
It reminds me of Sanem and when I pick it up I'm amazed to see it has an embossed bird in the corner...
I hold it in my hands and imagine her smile. Then I place it carefully along the side of the bread in my basket.
Out of the corner of my eye, I see the little girl watching me from the end of an aisle but when I spot her she ducks back from my view.
Suddenly there's a huge CRASH from the back of the store... The lady at the front calls out, shouting to someone called Umut. When there's no answer she runs out from behind the counter.
The back of the shop is open and a delivery truck is parked...
I put down my things and see if I can help.
An older man is hunched over and it looks like a whole pile of boxes have fallen.
I check to see if he's okay.
He's sweaty and clammy and I take charge making him sit down in the shade and sending the woman to get him a drink.
The delivery driver is sympathetic but I see that he needs to get on... so I offer to help unpack the remaining boxes from the back if the truck with him and clear the ones that have fallen.
I'm enjoying the physical work and interaction with people again.
The man is propped up against the wall. He's wiped his face with his handkerchief and is looking a bit better.
The woman brings out a tray of drinks and pastries and soon the delivery truck is on its way.
I sit beside the man who introduces himself to me and his daughter and granddaughter.
Umut, Simone and Little Anya.
Anya stares at me and Simone pats the little girls braided head and tells me she's never seen a man with long hair like mine.
I tell her that I usually tie it back but I've been swimming and left it to dry today.
She looks up at her mother and gestures...
Simone smiles and says...
"Shall we ask him?
Anya giggles and I can't help but give her a huge smile and beckon her to me.
She's shy and runs off and I laugh and think that's that. But then she's back holding something out to show me.
A hair band and a little silver hair clasp....its the head of a bird but not any bird...an Albatross.
I swallow and look at her... then I just nod.

She gently takes a piece of my hair at the side of my head and expertly plaits it before securing the clip and the band. Then she moves to do the other side.
I'm suddenly overcome with emotion and hold back the tears by hugging her to me.
Simone has packed my shopping up and is shaking my hand.. Thanking me for my help.
Umut is on his feet and we finish the drinks and pastries.
They won't accept any money for my shopping, so I thank them and wave goodbye.
I run my fingers down the neat plaits and find the clasp and think of my own little bird hoping she hasn't flown the nest like me...
That she's still waiting for me...
Her Albatross.

