Wednesday July 4, 1979

_. Independence Day, USA.

Praise be to God. I've found my fountain pen. June bought it for me in April, 1973, and I've used it every day since. That was until I mislaid it last week.

What can have befallen the sweet June Bottomley? She became engaged to a large, flabby accountant and has probably disappeared into Shadwell and obscurity with two delightful children and a £9,500 mortgage. No doubt they have a caravan and go whenever possible to the Lake District. June will be dabbling in French at night school and attempting dressmaking because children's clothes are such a price these days, aren't they? And Horace, the husband, whatever his name is, will smoke ready rubbed tobacco, wear baggy Arran sweaters. Early in the relationship he bought a few Pink Floyd LPs but now he's into James Last and his Orchestra. "Oh, we saw him live in Manchester last Christmas. He's absolutely fantastic...."

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Tuesday July 3, 1979

_. Had little or no conversation at work and escaped at 4:30. Tonight Ally, Sue, Pete and I went to Burley with a large bunch of flowers for Lynn. Audrey and Henry Baker were there. Lynn has been told not to try for another baby for at least six months. She flustered about making coffee ignoring commands to 'sit down Lynn'.

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Monday July 2, 1979

_. Phoned Auntie Hilda and Auntie Mabel. Mum, Dad and Maria came in a 3pm. Mum, very tanned, sat in silence listening to all the details, and then phoned David, burst into tears, and soaked a couple of large handkerchiefs.

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Sunday July 1, 1979

_. 3rdSunday after Trinity. Dominion Day, Canada.

A nightmare of a day. Poor Lynn lost her baby this evening, and to say we are all distraught is an understatement.

This morning Ally and I went to Chippy's to collect our records and afterwards went on to Burley where Lynn and Dave were looking after JPH for the day. We took JPH to the park for an hour.

Lynn was clearly unwell. An ambulance came, lights flashing, and took her and Dave off to Airedale (Hospital) and we heard nothing more until Dave phoned at 9:45 pm asking for a lift. Pete took Sue, Ally and I to the hospital where we collected a distraught David. He told us the worst.

Back at home we phoned Dad, now in Scotland. He was stunned,

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