Wednesday July 18, 1984

 Moorhouse Inn, Leeds

Hot. One year ago today we began our great adventure at the Linthorpe Hotel, Middlesbrough. What a year we have had. I never would have believed one could learn so much in such a short time. This game teaches you one hell of a lot about human nature, especially human frailties. 

To Morrison's at 11 and spend £25. Saw Margaret (she has a virus) and asked her to work tonight whilst Karen is off and to enable Ally to go to the Gaston darts thing at the Brown Hare. She readily agreed. Maureen worked 12-3pm with Audrey. 

Later we went back to town and bought Susie some perfume, and for Sammy a baby alarm, a car seat, and a furry one at that. We lavish a small fortune on that boy.

Phoned Auntie Mabel and then Uncle Tony, and asked them to come for drinks on Sunday. Barbara Makin phoned to say they cannot attend the christening. Frank phoned to say Bessie is concerned that we cannot  cope with a christening party and the running of the pub, &c. Ally explained that the Moorhouse runs like the engine of a well-oiled ship and that her mother's reservations are quite unfounded. Frank offered me some assistance financially with our catering project but Ally declined to take him up on the offer. Frank says Graham has been looking at some houses, no bigger than rabbit hutches, in Alresford. 

I bathed Samuel and Ally got ready for her darts evening. Just as she was leaving Colin Black rolled up to say that Fran O'Brien cannot now come here as area manager, and says we will probably have Donna Lea. Elation. He went away and I laughed out loud. He seemed very affable and knew I'd told Roy. This is the best news I've had in ages. It's like being reprieved on death row. Upstairs I washed, peeled potatoes, &c. At 9:30 the stereo went on. Ally was back at 12. Madge had done well but had lost her nerve and came runner-up. She saw F.O'B, Colin Black, Roy, Charlie, &c.

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Tuesday July 17, 1984

 Moorhouse Inn, Leeds

Samuel is no longer a baby. I find it hard to capture his genius and beauty in words. We marvel at his every move. He sat at the breakfast table with us. He fed himself fingers of bread and rusks - albeit messily - and then on the floor he sat unaided for a while giggling at his toys. Bright as a button he is. Ally is totally besotted with him. Isn't the maternal instinct quite incredible?

Sam in satin suit.

Out we went at 4pm to to town for an hour. It cost us £1.50 in the car park. Bought Samuel a satin-type christening suit (only £9 or so) and went to Laura Ashley where Ally bought a dress for Sunday. She found a blue, spotty off the shoulder number for £19. (I am putting down the prices to give you something to laugh at in 1996 by which time dresses will cost £3,000). A quiet night (yet again). Jane was in good spirits. She says she fancies visiting the Maldive Islands at Christmas. She is working on Saturday.

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Monday July 16, 1984

 Moorhouse Inn, Leeds

Fun and games tonight. The slut Christine, who thinks she's Bo Derek, assaulted old Olive in the tap room and I had to forcibly eject her from the premises. However, the assailant scaled the heights of a mighty tree nearby and hid in wait in a leafy solitude for poor Olive to make her way home. Olive, who is sixty, and pissed, would stand no chance. I phoned a constable who came and drove Olive home in his motor. I knew that Christine would be trouble from the start and could kick myself for not clotching her at our first encounter, Bloody women. The few that come into our tap room are worse than all the men put together. Maureen was very helpful in terminating the fracas. Ally was oblivious to the turmoil until it was all over.

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