In fair Islington where we lay our scene…
For many young people, Tinder is the first page in a blossoming romance story, but the old fashioned version of romance is still alive for some Islington residents.
A secret love-story has been blossoming among the coffee mugs at the Jimmy and the Bee café on Goswell Road.
Letters between the mysterious ‘me’ and ‘you’ and been exchanged via a drawer in one of the tables in the popular café.
It may not be a “Shall I compare thee to a summer day” but it has all the plot of Nicholas Sparks’ The Notebook.
So who are these star-crossed lovers?
Daisy, 24, who works at Jimmy, first noticed the letters last month.
She said: “We noticed the first letter a few weeks ago and it was dated from mid-February.
“It’s all very romantic. I think I know who one of the people involved, but I don’t want to ruin the mystery.”
But it’s not just members of staff that have noticed; cafe regulars are becoming invested in the relationship.
Alan Maxwell, who often pops in for a latte after work, first saw the letters two weeks ago.
“I found the bundle of letters when I was having a nosey through the drawers one day.
“It’s quite cute. And it was exciting when I found a new letter a few days later.
“I feel a little bit like I’m intruding on something, but it is also like I’m being let in on a secret. I’m interested to see what’s going to happen in the future.”
In a series of seven letters, you and me have formed a bond over a mutual love of David Bowie and being American. (- the only clue we have!)
They have waxed lyrical about stars -“I have been missing the stars lately, I can’t remember the last time I saw them,” and shared life advice – “My grandmother used to tell me stars are where we can still see loved ones who have passed smiling down on us. I hope this brings you comfort knowing even if you can’t see them, they are always there.”
But Alan suspects that it’s not just you and me writing the letters.
He added: “One of the letters is written in different handwriting and is quite childish – I think someone else is trying to get involved, but it is obvious it is not the original two, I don’t think it’ll spoil the romance.”
But with it approaching a week since the last letter, perhaps this romance has gone a bit bitter.
However Liberty Jones, another Jimmy regular, is a bit sceptical of the whole thing. Saying, “I saw a woman replying to one of the notes a few weeks ago. She told me she was newly single and looking for love.
“But I thought it was a bit fishy though because the manager told her to look in the drawer when she came in… I think it could be a marketing scam. How gross would that be?”
I’ve written into the drawer at Jimmy’s. The notes are lovely and genuine and a few people have got involved in anomalously sharing thoughts. It the days of Twitter and Facebook (and Tinder!), it’s real, thoughtful and a little romantic.
[…] Islington Now […]