Wednesday May 22, 1985

 Moorhouse Inn

Dull, miserable, overcast. You name it. I woke up glum and read a letter of sympathy from Edna and Nellie  which reduced me to tears.  Also a nice card from Sarah and Delia. Birthday cards for Ally. We had boiled eggs. _______. I phoned Anne's florist in Guiseley and ordered two floral sprays one from us and one from Bessie. £27 in all. I asked for roses. We went looking for a black jacket for Ally without success. It was a wasted, frantic hour. Ally insisted that Mum wouldn't want us to be doing this, looking for mourning garb, but I'm of the opinion that lime green polka dots at funerals should be avoided at all costs. Hilda phoned, just to talk. Sue phoned Ally to say that Dad had had a bad night, and had walked up to the Cemetery. Dad's brother Joe had phoned him. The conversation was 'crisp' says Dad. 

I phoned Lynn who says Auntie Dorothy had written to Dad. "Very sweet and sympathetic". We went to Bradford at 3:30 where Ally found a black jacket in Rackham's. Dad saw Jack Denison at 6 and then came here at 7:30. It was good to see him. Marjorie worked and Ally came down and we sat in a corner. We talked about tomorrow and the funeral. upstairs for 11.___________.

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Tuesday May 21, 1985

 Moorhouse Inn

Ally is twenty seven today. I bought her some things last Thursday and I gave then to her unwrapped at breakfast, with no enthusiasm. A Laura Ashley petticoat (£18) and odd bits of Almay cosmetics. They latter were from Sam. It was hard to find a card which avoided saying "Happy Birthday". It was a ratty, disorganised birthday morning. Heavy rain. We went to Guiseley and had fish and chips with Sue. Lynn's household is stricken with 'flu and so we avoided taking Samuel. Dad, Sue says, has moments when he is overcome with emotion and grief, but he can gather himself quickly. ____. I wanted to order flowers from Anne's florist but Guiseley appeared to be totally shut down. Just Ally and I called on Lynn. Thomas came out of hospital at 4pm yesterday. John & Janette were with Lynn. Back to collect Samuel and then on to Menston for 3:30. Hilda has decided to visit the chapel of rest to see Mum at 6 and John and I have decided to accompany Dad. I was in two minds about this but have decided to pay my respects and see her for the last time. We watched 'Demetrius and the Gladiators' which John had recorded from Sunday. Janette is a good and thoughtful girl. _______. John, Dad and I met Hilda on Otley Rd at 6. We went in just for a few minutes. Hilda sobbed. Mum, beautiful in her coffin in white satin. Her hair so dark. They had applied some make-up and lipstick. Dad had a weep. He asks 'why?' Tony picked up H at 8:30 and we went to Leeds and the pub. Gary worked. June brought a birthday cake in for Ally.

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