In the latter half of 1966, a pivotal moment in the life of the protagonist unfolded as they crossed paths with the esteemed Mike Ratledge, a prominent figure in the British rock band Soft Machine. At that juncture, the protagonist found themselves grappling with the complexities of obtaining a visa extension to remain in England, a predicament that ultimately led to an unconventional proposal being extended to Ratledge.
With a sense of urgency and a dash of romanticism, Ratledge and the protagonist exchanged vows on April 15, 1967, coincidentally the birthday of the latter, marking the beginning of a new chapter in their lives. However, their joy was tempered by the demands of Ratledge's band, which was booked solid and lacked the luxury of time for a leisurely honeymoon.
Despite these constraints, the newlywed couple managed to carve out a brief respite from their busy schedules, spending a cherished two months together before the Soft Machine embarked on a tour of France later that year.
