Friday November 25, 1983

 Chillandham Cross, Itchen Abbas

Gill and Matthew.

Ally got up before 8 to say goodbye to Frank who didn't come in last night until after 11. Hw won't be seeing his daughter again until after the baby is born. He is a man of few words. ________. At breakfast Bessie gave us cigars and a bottle of Charles VII champagne to celebrate with in 42 days time.... She seemed to be annoyed with F for not making enough of a fuss of his daughter at this important time. Bessie banged around in the kitchen and when she handed over the champers she said: "if he can give bottles to William Bullock then I can give one to you ..." We packed our belongings and Bessie went to have her hair done in Alresford. They fly to Jersey this afternoon for a round of dinner parties and socialising. Ally phoned Gill and arranged to go to Coleford today to sleep the night before returning to Bradford on Saturday. Bessie came back in with a Margaret Thatcher special hairdo and took me on one side in the kitchen, and said in a whisper that she hopes Ally will be brave because she has never been one to tolerate pain. I am sure that nobody likes pain, and feel sure that Ally will be valiant. I have instructions to phone them as soon as Ally's labour begins. We said our goodbyes to Bess and went off in driving rain to Coleford. The very heavy rain made the going bad. To Coleford for afternoon tea at the Dixon's Gloucestershire residence. Matthew is a mass of blond curls. He has the Lynn eyes but Gill says he's a typical Dixon... Gill is a very progressive mother. Graham went to get a haircut and came back having called at the pub. He made a curry with my assistance and we ate at 9 o'clock. Graham snored heavily after his curry, To bed at some late hour.

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