Friday September 23, 1983

 Why Not, Hemlington

I have thick green phlegm and feel awful. Catarrh. I went about like a consumptive. We went early to Thornaby and to the bank. I bought John a birthday card. He's 27 on Sunday. We despatched the card containing a fiver. Went to the post office. Couldn't find a Daily Telegraph and bought the Daily Mail. The Liberals are now at one another's throats. It's such a joy to see Ally at the wheel of Mandy. Today is Lily Glynn's birthday. I must ring David to let him know how we are doing. Do we take more cash than the Hollywood? John is going into business with a friend, Steve. Will it end in disaster?

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Thursday September 22, 1983

 Full Moon

Why Not, Hemlington

Takings: Lounge £267.61 / Bar £230.98

Marie and Mags came to see us last night and stood at the bar drinking large Bacardis and vodka to boost our takings. Inspector Dale and some of his colleagues called in for a pint or two. He was as nice as pie, and not at all vicious. Ally went to see a Dr Ruffett in Middlesbrough, and he gave her a clean bill of health. She now weighs 8st 12lb. Her blood pressure is spot on. A Hell's Angel in the bar has named his baby son Gary. Why do such a terrible thing? Sir Harold Wilson's peerage has been gazetted as Baron Wilson of Rievaulx. I was hoping he's been Earl Wilson of Scilly. Ally bought the local newspaper today. Thet give houses away up here.

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Wednesday September 21, 1983

 Why Not, Hemlington

Takings: Lounge £198.96 / Bar £173.12

The locals treat the place with a new found reverence. It's like St Paul's Crypt in the bar and everything is being said at a whisper after the incident last night. Ally was so good. She phoned the police after a certain Ray Davies was attempting to land a punch at me from across the bar. The man was berserk. Ally should not be spending the final months of her pregnancy in what is no more than a refuge for paroled prisoners. We went to Thornaby together to the National Westminster Bank and banked £500. We're supposed to go three times a week. Ally bought rolls for the sandwiches.

Is Diana pregnant? I have been reading the Daily Mail. The Daily Telegraph is a rarity on Teesside.

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Tuesday September 20, 1983

 The Why Not, Hemlington

Takings: Lounge £160.35 / Bar £201.64

Our first touch of Why Not violence. Ally and I only left the bar for ten minutes this afternoon and came back in to find some lads clowning around without their trousers and driving away the few customers supping in the lounge. A furious argument followed, trousers were pulled up, and the offending youths promised never to do such a thing again. Sadly, this evening they appeared pissed and after I asked them to quit the premises, they refused quite violently. I phoned the police. On seeing the constables a certain Billy Bousfield proceeded to smash  all the glasses on his table and was forcibly removed from the pub. In the scuffle one policeman had his helmet stolen. I made a statement and young Bousfield is going to face charges of criminal damage. I then barred four lads from entering the Why Not during my tenure. 

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Monday September 19, 1983

 The Why Not, Hemlington

Takings: Lounge £255.77 / Bar £186.58

A day without incident. Jill and Tim's wedding anniversary. The Yanks are shelling Lebanon. World War III is upon us and here I am selling beer in Middlesbrough to people with tattooed throats. 

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Sunday September 18, 1983

 16th Sunday after Trinity

The Why Not, Hemlington

Takings: Lounge £271.84 /Bar £275.25

I cleaned the lager, mild and cider lines. We only sell one barrel of mild per week. Busy. Ally made sandwiches and put cheese and biscuits on the bar. For some reason this is a tradition on the Sabbath. At closing time (2pm) I phoned Mum. Dad has been fretting about us all weekend. He has tummy trouble at the moment and might be getting an ulcer. He should see a doctor but Dad is always the last person to visit a quack. Ally then phoned F & B at Chillandham Cross. Auntie Joan and Uncle Jim had just left. Afterwards we went upstairs and slept on top of the bed. Ally's bump is growing, spreading and reaching fruition. Sunday evening was peaceful and none of the inmates gave us any trouble. 

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Saturday September 17, 1983

 The Why Not, Hemlington

Takings: Lounge £236.49 /Bar £234.03

I did not leave the bar - day or night - and met all the regular customers civilized and yobbo. They even have tattooed eye-lids in Hemlington. No 'please' or 'thank you' with them either. A ghastly social climber, a former thespian, with an artificial voice box, says I am so alike in stature and mannerisms to his old friend the actor John Alderton. Ally is so brisk. Already the sandwiches are out on the bar ranging from 38p to 45p, and the staff are looking upon her in awe. She is like one of the Cleopatras. The nicest possible Cleopatra. The one without the haircut and the asp. The flat is awful, dirty and empty, and yet already the bedroom looks like home.

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