I’m at Lilianfels, which is a beautiful, upscale resort and spa in Katoomba, Blue Mountains. I’m sitting in the Lounge, where I was told I could enjoy High Tea and great views. I showed up, feeling a little out of place among the plush, tasseled sofas, paisley armchairs and heavy drapes in a sports bra, t-shirt, jean shorts and sneakers. But the hostess didn’t blink and kindly seated me near a window, overlooking a small fountain.
There are three options for afternoon tea. The Devonshire Tea, which is your choice of tea and two scones with clotted cream and jam. Then there’s the High Tea, which is the same, but also includes finger sandwiches and a selection of fine French pastries. Finally, there’s the Deluxe High Tea, which is the aforementioned, plus a glass of champagne. Being one person and budget sensible, I ordered the Devonshire.
The woman at the next table is sitting alone in front of the Deluxe High Tea tower, a glass of champagne in her hand. At first, I thought she was just being ultra indulgent, treating herself to the fanciest of afternoon teas, until I noticed a second champagne flute. She is wearing a short, flowy white dress and a large silk flower in her hair, which makes her look younger than the middle-age I suspect her to be.
A man comes and sits down next to her. They proceed to argue quietly but intensely through gritted teeth and sips of tea, before he leaves again to take some “international phone calls”. She continues to sit, stare off and eat alone silently. With her outfit and the too-large-for-one couch she’s sitting on, she looks more like a little girl who is lost.
I may be the one sitting alone with my lowly Devonshire tea. But given the freedom that allows me to pop in for tea and stuff my face with scones, the life I love waiting for me to return, and the wonderful someone I know is out there thinking of me, I can’t help but feel like the charmed one.
[Written earlier today. Photo by me.]
