Thursday February 12, 1981

 _. Lincoln's Birthday

A trying day. Ally came here at 7:45 looking pale and confused. She sat next to me and announced that she'd accidentally left her engagement ring on a shelf in the bridal shop in Bradford whilst trying on a wedding dress this afternoon. She looked very close to tears. I didn't help the situation by looking like thunder, muttering dreadful expressions and oaths. Papa immediately took on his police constable mantle and phoned through to Bradford police who gave him the name of the key holder of the shop. Within minutes Ally and I were heading out to Haworth in search of her engagement ring, which we located with great relief, at about 9 o'clock. 

To the Bod for a few well deserved drinks. Back to Club St for 10:30 where I installed by portable TV, with a very snowy picture, but better than nothing. Our first telly programme in our home is 'Kojak' with Telly Savalas. Ally, buried beneath a mountain of bridal catalogues. She wants something sensational and 'off the shoulder'. To bed at 12.

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Wednesday February 11, 1981

 _. I am disgusted by the publishers of this journal, and all at WH Smith Desk Diaries Inc. On the next page, beneath the date, is clearly printed 'Lincoln's Birthday', a detail I find most acceptible. However, for the entry on June 23 I see no mention of Edward VIII's birthday, and where, on May 24, are we told it's the birthday of Lincoln's contermporary Queen Victoria? Most disturbing. It seems that Smith's now turn out desk diaries purely for the likes of Ronald Reagan and his counterparts. A very sad reflection of our times.

Busy day at the YP. Carol J suggests that Kathleen's absence will take it's toll on us before long. We shall see. Saddened that Sarah says she and Delia will be in Scotland on June 27, and will be unable to do the wedding flowers or attend the reception as I would have wished.

Lady Diana speculation confusion: her family deny that she is in Australia, but Aussie officials say she's definitely in that vast, sparse continent. The Shand Kydds are near Canberra, but no sign of her there.

Sue and Pete came to dinner at 6. Ally came at 7:30, cheesed off. She says an estimate on repairing the Citroen comes in at £125 plus VAT. Obviously, the offending and seemingly 'blind' driver of the other offending vehicle is going to receive the bill for the damage.

We watched TV. 'Sons and Lovers' part 6. A depressing little production and I find Paul Morel a nauseating little character. Sue and Pete left at 10:30 and Mum and Dad drifted off to bed leaving Ally and I watching 'Puppet on a Chain', the film based on the book by Alistair MacLean. I first saw it at Yeadon with Dave L.

Ally saw at wedding dress in Bradford yesterday, and it going to try it on tomorrow. Lace, frills, and all that. Bed at 12:30. Peter Sellers is a dismal little biography.

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