Saturday January 31, 1981

 _. Sunny day. Out at lunch at 12:30 with Ally, Graham and Gill to the Ship at Sutton something or other [Bishops Sutton]. I couldn't eat. Still a spot of diarrhoea. They all found room for mounds of dead fish and vegetation and I struggled with a small loaf and an innocent looking lump of Cheddar. The chutney proved fatal. Afterwards, to Southampton on a furniture hunt for Graham & Gill again. They are extremely disorganised.

Back to Chillandham Cross at 5:30. Frank came in from his boat from Guernsey, munching on a pear. He approached me and said bluntly: 'so you've named the day, have you?' The cat is finally out of the bag. I found the ring and placed it upon Ally's finger. We are well and truly engaged.

Just the two of us to Winchester for a drink this evening. We get on so enormously well. Called at the Plough at 10:45. Midge scampered from behind the bar to view the jewels. Graham was banging on about buying a CB thing. Ludicrous. Tony and Neil had a fight. Back at Chillandham Cross we had steak and chips at 12:30am. Bed 1:30.

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Friday January 30, 1981

 _. A day of recovery at Lidget Green. Phoned the office at 8:30 and asked Sarah for cut flowers only, preferably orchids, and definitely no mourning. Ally went off in Audrey Citroen to the AHA and I sat listening to ghastly Radio 1, reading Agatha Christie. Later I had a bath, and ironed my jeans, and banged the hot iron down on my left hand. I didn't like it. 

Ally came home at 4. We packed the car, dashed to Leeds and collected the rings. The engagement ring is perfect. On to Winchester. Thick fog and ice after Northampton. We had to stop at Brackley for Ally to compose herself.

Walked in Chillandham Cross at 11. Frank is fogged up in Guernsey until tomorrow, and so we broke the news to Bessie, who had been warned of a coming surprise by Ally on the blower this afternoon. She was pleased, in her own sweet way. Graham & Gill fully expected it. Had a whisky. Bed at 1am.

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Thursday January 29, 1981

 _. Diarrhoea. I suppose it had to happen. I put in a brief appearance at the YP and after swigging a chalky potion made up by the YP nurse I obtained 'leave of absence' from Sarah and headed home. Well, in fact I headed for the place that soon shall be my home, 5 Club St. Saw Ally briefly, and then disappeared to bed with a mug of revolting arrowroot, clutching a volume of Agatha Christie. Not one of Agatha's better works. Something about a Christmas pudding. As always, I feel much better away from the YP. 

Ally was back from work at 5 and I attempted to join her downstairs but felt weak and uncomfortable. Returned to bed.

Dave G phoned but I didn't speak. Ally passed on my good wishes. Ally came to bed at 10. A restless night watching the clock and jibbering away to myself. All very melodramatic, but when I'm ill I certainly know I'm ill.

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Wednesday January 28, 1981

 _. Decidedly weak. To the YP 9-12. It was easy sitting in the office and not letting anyone know of my affairs. Mouth tightly shut, saying nothing. 

It was an awful journey on the bus. Looked at lunch but didn't touch the food. Too dangerous.

Went to bed until tea time. JPH woke me, playing with my foot, went downstairs feeling cold, tired and lifeless. Ally joined us and we two sat by the fire whilst Mum, Dad, John, Maria and the babies foraged next door.

It wasn't long before I was wanting my bed. It must be a chill. Poor Ally went home to Club St.

-=-

Tuesday January 27, 1981

 _. We had an engagement party. It commenced at 8:30 with the following: ML Rhodes, Esq; Alison Dixon,; Lawrence Rhodes; Nora Rhodes; David and Lynn Baker; Peter and Susan Nason; John and Maria Rhodes; Mabel Paine; Tony and Hilda Gadsby; Steve and Karen Sanderson; Jill Gadsby and Tim Elmer; Diane Gadsby and Paul Edwards; Jackie Myers; Jim and Margaret Nason; Jim and Muriel Rawnsley, &c.

We received some wonderful presents [but won't bore you with a list], ate amazing food. Felt very odd, almost as though it wasn't really happening. Ally looked superb in her little 'clown trousers'. She is enormously happy and the responsibility puts terror in me. What if I should fail her? Am I capable of protecting her through life, down its gruesome, twisting pathway?

Hilda arrived bedecked in the Union Flag and led a conga-like dance throughout the house. Jim N entertained the males with a risque comedy hour in the kitchen bar, and a cultural bunch gathered around the surprise guest Muriel Rawnsley, as she told them the tale of how she dropped a slice of lemon from her gin and tonic into the lap of Mr Justice Boreham.

By 2am I was exhausted. I'm definitely going down with something. We have sent Mum some flowers as a thank you. Goodnight.

-=-

Monday January 26, 1981

 _. Mum took JPH and Catherine to Pudsey this morning to visit Hilda and Mabel and to inform them of our news. Mum says she's throwing a party tomorrow night, chiefly because John will still be here, but no public announcement will be made until after we've seen Bessie and Frank at the weekend.

Ally came here tonight. With all this excitement she cannot stay at Club St.

-=-

Sunday January 25, 1981

 _. 3rd Sunday after Epiphany

Ally and I went to the Cow & Calf at 1:30 and placed a provisional booking for a wedding reception. Returned to Pine Tops and went to bed for the afternoon. Ally had lunch with Mum and Dad. I got up at 5 with a clear head.

Sue and Pete were summoned [under false pretences], and we waited for Lynn and Dave to come from Audrey and Henry's. It seemed like an eternity. They came at 11:30. John and Maria came too, straight from Lochans. When all were assembled I walked in with a tray full of sherry, and all were informed of our plans. They all seemed so happy.

-=-

Saturday January 24, 1981

 _. At the YP from 9am-1:45. Dull isn't the word. Sunny, almost warm. Out into town at 2 and bought a two-stone diamond engagement ring, and a gold wedding ring from Maxfield's 'the wedding ring specialists' in the Merrion Centre. 

Back to Club St. Hot bath. On to Esholt to see the Rev Calvin Ward in his cold vestry. He agrees to our date, June 27, but says that he can only fit us in at noon. We wanted 2pm, but he's tied up at a tea party, or something. He was very agreeable and put us at our ease.

We went on to the Fox and Hounds and drank Stella Artois until 10. Back at Pine Tops we waited for Dad to walk in at midnight and then I told them that I had finally popped the question. Much excitement, joy, elation, &c. Mum said she thought I might be waiting for the Prince of Wales to do it first. Papa was close to tears. After all, I am his first born. Or was it the home brewed 'Japanese' Sake?

-=-

Friday January 23, 1981

 _. Brief. To Ally's after the YP. She collected her pay cheque today and found a £200 tax rebate within. Speechless. We celebrated with a lasagne at Mamma Mia's on Manningham Lane. Ally beautiful with her hair tied up. On to the Bod, but didn't over do things. Home for 11. 

-=-

Thursday January 22, 1981

 _. At 8pm Ally and I went out to the Drop, then the New Inn. Saw Susie, Janet, and Audrey, and little Biff. I do not like how Sue hangs around with these girls. Back to Pine Tops, quite merry, and watched Robin Day on the BBC.

-=-

Wednesday January 21, 1981

 _. Ally collected me from the YP at 5. She had been into Leeds to renew a contract on something, but had messed the whole thing up. We went on to Guiseley for dinner with Mum and Dad and afterwards fell in front of the TV to watch another episode of D.H. Lawrence's 'Sons and Lovers'. Papa came home in the midst of this with a sad tale. The baby of a local doctor was found dead in its cot this evening after spending a damp afternoon with its mother shopping in Leeds strapped to its mother in one of those ridiculous red-Indian-type baby carrying things. Dad says he found her quite dazed cradling the child.

Mum and Dad went to bed and Ally I sat whispering about the coming holocaust, namely our engagement.

Ode to Ronald Reagan

Ron and Nancy you're the best,

I've watched you on the telly,

You make me want to head out west,

But it's all so flat and smelly.

-=-