AN: Florence's experience of Oxford and early adulthood. Takes place on train leaving Merano with Anatoly. You know the drill with copyright.

FLORENCE

My last "friend" had little "accident" halfway through our second year,
and, like a shot, she and Eddie got married that winter.
Mary Rose, getting thicker every minute, thinking "what am I doing here?",
while Eddie's gone every night being the latest Harold Pinter.
They shared a dingy, cheap house
in a dingy, cheap street
with a crucifix on the door.
Eddie got a job while his head slowly hit the wall.
Just the typical facts of a typical life in a town near the Thames' shore.
I thought about what I wanted;
it wasn't like them at all.
Sent Mary Rose some fruit and some feta
thinking "I can do better than that!"

I finished my course and stayed here in London
thinking "I've got ev'rything to gain".
Got a job, got a flat, no hope of being a winner.
Met a man in a match I was reffing whom one might say thought like Mark Twain.
He wouldn't leave me alone unless I beat him for our dinner.
And I guess he was nice, and I guess he was smart, and I guess you know who he was.
I thought it was love but it changed after a year.
And so I'm starting to think that he doesn't love me
and I'll tell you just why. Because
I wasn't what he'd dreamed of. Cared more about his career.
I was abused with each word and letter.
I think I can do better than that.

You don't have to get a visa.
You don't have to vote for Blues.
You don't have to like the Western world,
just love me.
You don't have to clean the toilet.
You don't have to be the news.
You don't have to learn the language
You don't have to eat my cooking.
You don't have to have a thing,
just stay with me.

I want you, and you, and nothing but you,
miles and piles of you.
Finally I'll have something worthwhile to think of each moment.
You and you and utterly you.
No consolation will do.
Nothing but you and our love as our souls slowly entwine.
Eternally mine.

Here I give you my lifetime commitment. I give you my soul tonight.
I don't want to hide behind all my walls and defences.
I don't mean to bring out any guilt now but I know that this love is right.
I knew that it was when you blew away my senses.

When we get to my flat
take a look at this town.
Take a look at how far we've gone.
and you'll never go back,
never look back anymore.
And I know that my heart leads right to your side.
and I'm loving you from now on.

Think about what you've wanted.
Think about what will be.
Think about why I love you.
Say that's your home's with me.
Think about what's great about you and I.
Think of the reasons we've got to try.
Forget what's been lost
since we can do better.

We can do better.

We can do better than that.

We can do better than that!