Monday September 13, 1982

 Excitement at the YP. A ghastly SOGAT official came in to lecture the naughty library department. We haven't paid our union subs for eight weeks and have no intention of doing so again. Library solidarity has never been more necessary or vital. He told us that by dropping out of the trade union we will cause a 'stink'. I cannot wait. A wind of change is blowing through the Yorkshire Post library. The SOGAT representative, a bearded communist in a C&A suit, fumbled and coughed into his briefcase, and said nothing remotely constructive. He hasn't got a leg to stand on.

Went out at lunchtime and bought Dad a leaving card and inscribed it with a quotation from Churchill. 'Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But, perhaps, it is the end of the beginning.' Quite appropriate I thought.

Tried phoning Glynnie numerous times. He's coming here at 5 tomorrow. Chicken pie for dinner. Piglet is an exquisite cook.

Press reports say that the Waleses will take Prince William with them to the Australian continent next year. I don't know how accurate this is.

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Sunday September 12, 1982

 Very hungover. Did not hear from Mama. I think we are now out of favour. 

We roasted a chicken and watched Kenneth More playing the legless war hero Sir Douglas Bader, 'Reach for the Sky'. Nauseating. Had a splendid dinner at 6. Sat cuddling on the settee afterwards.

We do, as a family, the Rhodeses, drink far too much. A Hell-raising pack we are. Tears. Parties always end in tears. We shall certainly have to behave next Tuesday. We do not want Dad's [leaving] do wrecking.

To bed after 'Tales from the Unexpected' which in fact are always expected. Is it because I have an author in me?

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Saturday September 11, 1982

 Sun. Spent the early afternoon in town. It was my lucky day. Ally bought me togs to wear next Tuesday. Rolls of wallpaper too. Home at 2 feeling hot. I fancied an afternoon in the pub, but of course we cannot afford it. Mum phoned as we walked in the door. She is having a garden party, and could we go?  Ally gasped in horror. She wanted a peaceful afternoon watching me slap wallpaper on our neglected walls. After a few sandwiches and cups of tea she regained her composure. We splashed in a cool bath and took the bus to Guiseley arriving at 4:30. Lynn, Dave, Frances, Sue, Pete, Christopher, John, Jim, Margaret, Pamela and her Peter assembled. Riotous. Gallons of plonk and whisky. Steak, chops, sausages, &c. Deckchair tomfoolery until after 9. We left at 10 and John drove us home. Mum made a peculiar anonymous phone call. Ally went off to bed. I bought fish and chips.

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Friday September 10, 1982

 Eggs for breakfast. Ally wore her new burgundy coloured bomber jacket and looked flash and sexy. She must warm the hearts of many Bradford motorists as they pass her waiting at the bus stop. 

At the YP I told Sarah of Kathleen's crazed attack upon her character when she was away and unable to defend herself on Wednesday, and without further ado Sarah stood up and announced she wasn't well and walked out. Mrs Slocombe and I looked on wide-eyed. Margo was away - her driving test. Kathleen, realising she is to blame for the breakdown, sat pathetically whistling, humming and singing as a cover to her feelings of great foreboding.

Home at 6. Macaroni cheese, with an egg mayonnaise starter, not my favourite dish. Did little else.

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Thursday September 9, 1982

 Lynn and Dave's fourth wedding anniversary.

Albert Rhodes died on this day in 1973. Such a queer old man he was. For years I could not bring myself to speak or write his name. He did have some good points. He gave me £10 in 1971 which took me out and about in Interlaken. Ten pounds bought a lot of beer in Switerzerland in 1971. I recall getting very drunk one night and they had to duck me in a fountain to bring me to my senses.

YP. Sarah off for the day at Whitby. Kathleen is always gushing and creepy in Sarah's absence. We are, it seems, taking the rap for the mistake in the article by Bob [Cockroft] where he stated that Tony Hudson is High Sheriff. Bob, in his apology, reports that the mistake was made due to the information at source - i.e. the library. Malcolm Barker was also up in arms. Very bad show.

Home at 6. Pot of lasagne. Saw 'A Bridge Too Far'. Bed at 10:30.

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Wednesday September 8, 1982

 We took some time getting out of bed. Both exhausted and un-refreshed.

To the YP. Kathleen is a cow. I fought with her about the snotty letters that Anne leaves us [she works evenings]. Kathleen always leaps to the defence of the night staff. They are the bees knees.

Got in after 6. Pork pies and mushy peas. Ally was in bed at 9:30. I watched half an hour of Clint Eastwood's 'Dirty Harry', but found it Dreary Harry.

Lynn phoned earlier to talk about next week. We have yet to buy a retirement card. She and Ally were giggling like thirteen year-olds.

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Tuesday September 7, 1982

 YP ghastly. I really feel that the place is driving me slowly insane.

Mum phoned this afternoon to say that they are coming over this evening with jackets and things that Ally ordered in a wild flurry of extravagance last week. Ally sank somewhat when I told her. She wanted a quiet night in the company of her husband. Mum, Dad and John came at 6:30. Dad and John tiled the kitchen wall. Mum brought sherry. Excitement about Dad's retirement. He looks like a youth. He's so happy. On the TV - Lord Howard De Walden talking about the Jockey Club.

To bed.

-=-