Chance encounter

My stepfather, Frank Uzarowski, had an amazing talent for meeting strangers. He’d casually strike up a conversation and before they knew it, they were coming to dinner. Once, when he was a miner in Sudbury, Ontario, he showed up for supper with the director of the mines. No-one was immune to him.

I must have picked this up from him. I love talking to strangers, especially when I hear different accents. I want to know all about them.

My nephew Krzysztof Zebrowski and his partner, Siarhei Padsasonny, who travelled from Warsaw, Poland, to attend the launch of my book, The Golden Daughter, stayed for an extra

few days with me and Neil, my husband. We took them to the Kiwi Cafe in Chester, Nova Scotia. While we were sitting on the patio waiting for our lobster rolls, two interesting women walked in. I heard British accents.

“Where are you from?” I asked.

“I live here,” said one woman. “But my sister is visiting from London.”

“Welcome. My husband’s from London, too. And my family is from Warsaw.”

I pointed to Krzysztof and Siarhei. Everyone smiled and the conversations flowed. After lunch, I gave them my business card, and told them I was going next door to The Village Emporium to sign copies of my book, which were on sale there.

As I was signing copies, the two women walked it. They bought a copy, which I personalized for them. They were intrigued by the story of The Golden Daughter. I was intrigued by them. It was a chance encounter which satisfied all parties.