Sam Mullins

While lots of peers were pairing off and getting married in their early 20s, Elaine didn't have the time or interest for a relationship. A stance which, as we know from the first act of any romance, will not be sustainable.

So they set up a double date.

So they set up a double date.

Elaine walked into the dim warmth of the pub with her friends, took off her coat, and there he was.

Elaine walked into the dim warmth of the pub with her friends, took off her coat, and there he was.

Hold up. This reference is a little before my time. Cliff Richard images search. Oh, Elaine.

Hold up. This reference is a little before my time. Cliff Richard images search. Oh, Elaine.

Ron was older than her, in his late 30s, trim, well put together, and as Elaine picked up on quickly, shy, painfully shy. But luckily, Elaine is the perfect antidote to shyness.

Ron was older than her, in his late 30s, trim, well put together, and as Elaine picked up on quickly, shy, painfully shy. But luckily, Elaine is the perfect antidote to shyness.

A chatty few pints later, the four of them stumbled out of the pub, back into the cold. When Ron, perhaps with a little liquid courage in him, took Elaine aside to shoot a shot.

A chatty few pints later, the four of them stumbled out of the pub, back into the cold. When Ron, perhaps with a little liquid courage in him, took Elaine aside to shoot a shot.

On the day in York, as they strolled through the quaint medieval city's cathedral and cheese shops, Elaine felt a profound comfort with Ron. The man was a good egg.

On the day in York, as they strolled through the quaint medieval city's cathedral and cheese shops, Elaine felt a profound comfort with Ron. The man was a good egg.

When they got back to Harrogate, Ron invited her to his flat. They'd spoken so much about photography, he wanted to show her some of his stuff. There was a portrait he'd taken of a friend's cat he was especially proud of. But there was something he was even more excited to show her.

When they got back to Harrogate, Ron invited her to his flat. They'd spoken so much about photography, he wanted to show her some of his stuff. There was a portrait he'd taken of a friend's cat he was especially proud of. But there was something he was even more excited to show her.

I love this detail so much. And after learning everything I have about Ronald Platt, I'm convinced that this track selection was no accident. This was Ron revealing himself. It's all there in the lyrics. This was him saying, I'm a rock. I'm an island, Elaine. This fortress is steep and mighty. I'm a heavy cat. Can you dig it? And she could.

I love this detail so much. And after learning everything I have about Ronald Platt, I'm convinced that this track selection was no accident. This was Ron revealing himself. It's all there in the lyrics. This was him saying, I'm a rock. I'm an island, Elaine. This fortress is steep and mighty. I'm a heavy cat. Can you dig it? And she could.

And that was it. They became Ron and Elaine. And to those who knew Elaine well, this came out of nowhere.

And that was it. They became Ron and Elaine. And to those who knew Elaine well, this came out of nowhere.

This is Chris Idle, one of Elaine's best friends.