Monday October 24, 1983

 The Why Not, Hemlington

Up early. Phoned Tadcaster. Fran O'Brien is on holiday and I spoke to a brisk David Tyne and made an appointment to see him at 4:30. Ally and I worked from 11 till 3 with no staff. Brenda agrees to open up for us at 6 whilst we are seeing the chief. To Tadcaster at 3:30 ten minutes late. Found Tyne in consultation with Les Gledhill, who is clutching our Cheshire Midland letter. They are both astounded that we should want to take on a pub at this stage of Ally's pregnancy and both agree that we haven't thought it through properly. Tyne brushed aside the stock problem saying it is the least of our worries. He rushed off to another meeting saying he'll discuss it further. However, it does look as though we'll be laid off from November 7 until after the baby is here. Gledhill is appalled by Fran O'Brien's letter and says it isn't the sort of letter that he, or any other area manager should send. He says we need help and not hinderance. Les was genuinely infuriated at F.O'B. I asked both men whether it would be bye bye and good riddance from November 7 and they both said that the company is a caring one and that we have done a good job at the Why Not and will not be cast aside. We will have to wait and see what happens in the New Year. So, it looks like the solitude of Club Street until the Spring. Whatever happens we are determined to have a pub eventually. Home for 7:15. Phoned Sue. Yes, she's pregnant and expects in late May. She is seeing Dr Glass next week and Peter won't be happy until then. Mum phoned to say they are coming tomorrow to cheer us up. We went to bed entirely happy.

-=-