Tuesday October 4, 1983

 The Why Not, Hemlington

Bright and blustery. Ally was violently sick. This nausea is going to go on until our child is here. Sickness, late on, often results in twins. I have never seen such violent kicks from an unborn baby. Will she hang on until 1984? We were up early and decided to go out for the morning. A trial run for Sunday's exodus. Brenda and Margaret were working and so we ought to be covered for an emergency. Off we went at 12 leaving an electrician and an insurance man grovelling in the lounge. It seems ages since we went out into the outside world and went blinking through the crowded Middlesbrough streets. To the shops. Ally found a 'passable' dress in Mothercare and a black handbag and shoes to match. We went to a jewellers and bought Katie a silver plated napkin ring and had her initials engraved upon it. It makes a change to the stainless steel Rupert Bears and Mrs Bunnykins tableware. We are quite delirious about having a day off on Sunday. At 3 I phoned Brenda who told me it had been 'dead quiet'. We returned at 4 to eat. A quiet non-violent evening. Clive Freeman, the 18 year-old rugby player, started work. The locals eyed him with suspicion. One punter asked whether he's a judo black belt or karate expert. Obviously, I say he is a leading martial arts champion. Ally stayed upstairs. Tubby kicking furiously. Politics: That awful Welsh politician has been elected leader of the Labour party. Shudder, shudder.

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