In those days she was Ruth Bowman. She met Larkin when he was the librarian at Wellington town library - his first job after he left Oxford - and she was a 17-year old schoolgirl. They became engaged later, the only time Larkin did such a thing I believe, but he panicked and regretted it almost immediately (besides, Kingsley never took to her). She's the 'friend in specs' in the poem below:
Wild Oats
About twenty years ago Two girls came in where I worked - A bosomy English rose And her friend in specs I could talk to. Faces in those days sparked The whole shooting-match off, and I doubt If ever one had like hers: But it was the friend I took out,
And in seven years after that Wrote over four hundred letters, Gave a ten-guinea ring I got back in the end, and met At numerous cathedral cities Unknown to the clergy. I believe I met beautiful twice. She was trying Both times (so I thought) not to laugh.
Parting, after about five Rehearsals, was an agreement That I was too selfish, withdrawn And easily bored to love. Well, useful to get that learnt, In my wallet are still two snaps, Of bosomy rose with fur gloves on. Unlucky charms, perhaps.
no subject
Wild Oats
About twenty years ago
Two girls came in where I worked -
A bosomy English rose
And her friend in specs I could talk to.
Faces in those days sparked
The whole shooting-match off, and I doubt
If ever one had like hers:
But it was the friend I took out,
And in seven years after that
Wrote over four hundred letters,
Gave a ten-guinea ring
I got back in the end, and met
At numerous cathedral cities
Unknown to the clergy. I believe
I met beautiful twice. She was trying
Both times (so I thought) not to laugh.
Parting, after about five
Rehearsals, was an agreement
That I was too selfish, withdrawn
And easily bored to love.
Well, useful to get that learnt,
In my wallet are still two snaps,
Of bosomy rose with fur gloves on.
Unlucky charms, perhaps.