Wednesday January 9, 1985

Sailor Samuel.

 Moorhouse Inn

Mum and Dad got up and decided to to to Guiseley for the day to see Sue. ______. Mum borrowed Ally's pearl necklace to adorn her precious throat. Lots of kisses goodbye and off they went. They returned this evening and looked exhausted after lunching with Sue and dining with Lynn. They had a good day, and both girls had been delighted to see them. Dad says these outings are very important because Mum needs exercise. Sitting too long makes her lethargic. We decided to drive to Horton tomorrow to collect more clothes for Mum. Her wardrobe consists of Lynn's large maternity clothes, a wrinkled pinafore dress and boots.

We went into town and spent a fortune buying clothes for Samuel at Schofield's. Lots didn't fit, but we found a sailor suit which fits to perfection. Back at home for tea Samuel was showing off his new outfit and suddenly set off and WALKED HIS FIRST UNAIDED STEPS. A miraculous sight. Our squeals of delight penetrated down to Maureen in the tap room. You should have seen the beam on his little face. Ally stood ironing tonight and I went down at intervals to see Audrey. 

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Tuesday January 8, 1985

 Moorhouse Inn

Dray day. It came at about 9 o'clock. Ally did the bar at 11, and then from 5:30. She seems to be avoiding me, but says she's leaving me to be with Mum and Dad. Auntie Mabel phoned this morning and spoke to Ally. She has finally been discharged from hospital care ten years after her mastectomy. She asked Ally to pass this news on to Mum, but instead she told Dad who for some reason kept the news to himself. It seems that Mum is to be cocooned from any news these days and I am sure it is very wrong. 

Rob Piper came in at lunch full of cold. He had two large sandwiches and I told him about Mum. He says he has been obsessed by the thoughts of death recently and that he now drives slower on the roads and suffers from attacks of severe morbidity. It is his great age. He is 33. We promised to go see them at the Butchers Arms on Thursday.

A very overpowering health visitor came to look at Samuel and declared him to be perfection. It was a waste of time really.

Quiet tonight/ Saw a chunk of 'Gregory's Girl' on Channel 4. A sloppy tale of adolescent love. Mum enjoyed it. A few beers downstairs with Ally. Audrey worked. 

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Monday January 7, 1985

 Moorhouse Inn

Cold. Snow lying here. Dad walked with Mum across Hunslet Moor for 10 minutes and I watched them from the kitchen window. It was very touching. 

We had a stocktake. A £3 deficit over a 48 day period and £15,000 takings. Very good.

Princess Margaret had an operation yesterday on her left lung and the bulletin says tissue was removed which is benign. They would say this though, wouldn't they? Here we are watching the lunchtime news and the possibility that Princess Margaret has cancer and Mum sits there apparently oblivious to her own condition. I have been reading about Princess Michael of Kent in the Sunday Telegraph. She is 40 next week.

Dead again downstairs. Had a handful of folk in tonight for the pool knockout and we provided the usual sandwiches. Kitty, the old crow, wanted pork pie, and so I purposely avoided her. I am like that. I only give pork pie to people I'm especially fond of. 

Ally opened up from 5:30._______. We have seriously talked about another baby. Samuel needs a sibling. He is obsessed by other babies.

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Sunday January 6, 1985

 Epiphany

Moorhouse Inn

Princess Margaret has gone into a London hospital for tests. The Brompton specialises in lung and heart problems. The TV news tells us that the princess smokes 40 cigs a day, and drinks gin by day and Scotch by night. Poor Princess Margaret. She never has any luck. At 54 she has that drawn look so reminiscent of her father King George VI. 

Lynn, David and girls called in during the afternoon. We had a quiet day upstairs with Mum and Dad and after Samuel's departure to bed we had roast beef and Yorkshire puds, &c off Minton china. Mum did very well and managed to eat a moderate portion. She has been cheerful today and determined to be brave for our benefit, I am sure. It cuts Dad to pieces to see Mum upset.

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Saturday January 5, 1985

 Moorhouse Inn, Leeds

Mum had a very low day and sat in her chair weeping __________. Uncle John phoned and spoke to Dad.  She is worried about possible visitors. She only wants to see people whom she loves and who love her.

Our Christmas decorations came down today. Auntie Hilda phoned to say that Jill is three months pregnant. Joyous news. John and Janette came this afternoon (and drank lemonade!). Ally was out shopping. They talked about washing machines and passed furtive glances to each other when Mum told them of Jill's pregnancy.

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