Sunday October 31, 1982

 Up at 9:30 feeling very much like a condemned man. Evidently I came home from the party and burst into a fit of uncontrollable tears. Prepared lunch, washed the bird and got her trussed, &c. Went to meet Auntie Mabel at the station at 12:45. I had left Ally running around half naked clutching a pressure cooker in one hand and a vacuum cleaner in the other, but when I returned half an hour later with Mabel she and the house were transformed. We had a couple of glasses of sherry and sat down to our homemade tomato soup, roast chicken and apple crumble at 2:30. She spoke of cousin Jackie and Barry and their plans. The afternoon ended with cups of tea and a conversation about the beautiful Princess of Wales. Took auntie to her bus at 5:30. Shattered. To bed early.

-=-

Saturday October 30, 1982

 The phone rang at 10am and I ran downstairs in Ally's dressing gown. It was Graham who told us that Gill had given birth to a son at 3am weighing 7lb. He is to be called Matthew Frank Graham. The first two names after his two grandfathers. Ally came flying down and spoke to her brother, and then we had breakfast. [We didn't get in from Mary's until 1:30am]. I planted tulip bulbs in the garden and then we went to Duckworth Lane where Ally had a sun-ray session. I went to the Co-op and bought a few provisions. I forgot the Tampax. As I was browsing among the frozen peas I reflect that Ally is a fully-fledged aunt today.

Susie and Peter came at 2 with Christopher. She looked a little thin and her eyes are slightly sunken. Over a few drinks Sue says she hasn't suffered a miscarriage, but a molar pregnancy, a hydatidiform mole. The poor girl has been so brave. The doctors say she cannot under any circumstances become pregnant for a year, and she has to have hormone tests at frequent intervals. We were stunned by Sue's news. We sat until after 6. Christopher is a beautiful child, with a fine head of hair, and already standing up on his large feet. John came over [Mum and Dad were in Grassington] and at 7:30 he took us to Morley and a pub called the Half Way House. Margo and friends were making merry. I was already 'half cut'. Back to Margo's until after midnight. Remember nothing. Ally was appalled at the way I [illegible] the young office girls. It was only done in jest. Pauline Atha looked like a Turkish belly dancer. Home late. John went home wearing a jacket which Janette had bought him. He says he's bought the girl a fur.

-=-

Friday October 29, 1982

 YP packed with fun and excitement, as usual. Home at 6, and clad in our finery we went across the road to Mary Moore's at 7. She had pushed a note through the door asking us to join her at 7:30 for pre-prandial drinks. I had to look this up in the dictionary. Ally wearing her cream and gold suit, and looked stunning. We were joined by six middle aged ladies all dressed in black like witches, two 12 year-old females, and a 13 year-old butcher's boy. It was chicken. It was also a case of 'let's see who can talk the loudest'. One big woman had just returned from a coach trip to Austria and didn't shut up about it all night. I had all on retaining my sanity. They all sat, all eyes, jealously watching each other. The dreadful Corinne [if that's how it's spelt] asked us to pay £1.12 to go towards the bottle of 'Pink Lady'. Sod off dear. We were the only guests who took Mary a present, roses, and resented being asked for money.

-=-

Thursday October 28, 1982

 Susie left hospital today at 11am and took a taxi to Pine Tops for lunch. I phoned the sweet thing at 2. She said they will come to visit us on Saturday afternoon and bring Christopher. She sounded just fine.

I attempted to watch Top of the Pops but the vacuum cleaner won the battle. Ally has been positively maniacal this week. She makes Adolf Hitler look like Worzel Gummidge. Never mind. It can't always be champagne and roses, can it?

-=-

Wednesday October 27, 1982

Miss Piggy?

 Dark, gloomy day. Home with great striding steps and devoured sandwiches by the fire. Ally pink and glowing. A welcome sight. At 6:45 we got a bus into town, and then took one to Westfield at Rawdon. We arrived at Dave L's at 7:50 and found him entertraining MM and Marita. We gathered around the TV and watched Dave's pirate copy of 'E.T', the yet-to-be released film from Steven Spielberg. Ally wasn't looking forward to this at all. Science fiction isn't her scene, but we were pleasantly surprised. Quite a touching little offering really. The creature is a combination of the Hunchback of Notre Dame and Miss Piggy. E.T. = extra terrestrial.  Marita and Ally sat with damp eyes at the end of the film. Albert & Joan L joined us at 10:30pm for a viewing of our wedding video, sandwiches and coffee. Dave drove us home at 12:30. To bed. Visits to Tennyson Street are always packed with nostalgia.

-=-

Tuesday October 26, 1982

 Susie had a gynaecological procedure this afternoon and was out of theatre at 6pm. Mum passed an anxious day and kept me informed throughout. Peter went to see Sue tonight accompanied by Dad and they report that she is chirpy and bright. Mum didn't go because she though it would be too upsetting an experience, and someone had to look after Christopher. Poor Susie. It must all be for the best.

I have been feeling terribly low lately. I blame the YP. I have now outgrown the beastly little library and want something else. Ally and I sat at breakfast bemoaning the fact that we are to be parted all day and want something we can do together. This narrows it down to a pub or a shop. A junk shop like 'Cheap and Cheerful' would be nice. 

Other news: a work colleague of Ally's at Chestnut House has had a large boil on his nose explode. Injections in the bum, and all that. Bed with books.

-=-

Monday October 25, 1982

 Bank Holiday in the Republic of Ireland

Monday mornings come around so very quickly. To the YP where I enthralled them all with tales of Dave Lawson's Ball. Incidents keep coming back into mind. At one point, late on, I was in a bedroom helping a youth thread a needle so that he could re-assemble his torn shirt. Then, in Dave's bedroom I found eight people in his bed, in the dark, discussing re-incarnation. I joined them. I imagine that the house is now demolished. I expect that South Elmsall will see a baby boom in July, 1983.

I spent the day dreaming over my typewriter. Mummy phoned to say Susan is going back to Otley hospital, and then she phoned later to say she had been moved from Otley to Roundhay by ambulance, where the poor girl has had a scan. Mum added that the doctors are 'not happy' with the scan, but didn't elaborate. It certainly looks as though the baby has gone. 

Dave L phoned to say we cannot watch his 'pirate copy' of 'E.T' tomorrow because his Mum and Dad are not visiting a sick aunt in hospital until Wednesday. So, Wednesday it is.

-=-

Sunday October 24, 1982

 20th Sunday after Trinity - British Summer Time Ends - United Nations Day

A short day. Hungover and covered in scratches. I'll talk further about the party tomorrow. Watched Grace Kelly on the telly. Lamb and Yorkshire puddings. Watched 'Star Wars'. The effects are lost on a seven inch black and white tv set. Bed. An early one.

-=-

Saturday October 23, 1982

 Sunshine. Up with the larks. Made our pilgrimage to the market. Feel listless. I followed Ally around like a diabetic Doberman Pincher. Came back in the afternoon and watched the wrestling on TV. I cannot understand how people pay to watch. We had a lasagne. I shaved off my moustache and put on trendy clothes in an attempt to look 18. If Dave L can do it then so can I. Jill and Tim came at 8 and we went to the Woolpack at Rawdon where we met Karen, Steve, Di, and Paul. They are all slimming. On to Dave L's. Ally opened the door and a flying trifle flew past her nose missing it by inches and splattered on the kitchen wall. Breathtaking. Eight or nine youths were making merry pouring beer over each other. ______. A young man with flashed blond hair was romping with a pissed little girl who was swigging from half a bottle of whisky [presumably the other half was inside her]. MM and Marita arrived bringing with them some sanity. Jill went outside [after the fireworks display where I set fire to one of my shoes] and became horribly lost somewhere on Tennyson Street. Inside we were oblivious to her distress, and when she eventually found her way back she wept buckets. Jacq came with a girl called Lynne. I sat with my trousers rolled up to the knees quoting Shakespeare, much to the displeasure of Ally who found my behaviour trying. I fell into a bush and was lifted, bleeding, into the car. Horrid.

-=-

Friday October 22, 1982

 A day of toil and an evening of happy domesticity with wifelet. After dinner we sat with our feet up [our feet up what, you may ask]. Ally reading an old, soiled Agatha Christie which she picked up for 10p, and I began 'The Three Musketeers' by Dumas [Oh yes, I finished Fanny Hill, and I must say I have since been quite a different person in bed]. The TV went off after 'Nationwide'. The ghastly Sue Lawley is unbearable. Bed reasonably early, all pink, scrubbed and relaxed.

-=-

Thursday October 21, 1982

 An exciting start to the day because Ally was having her hair cut and even the most minor deviation from the norm gave a spurt to our dawn awakening. We climbed into the bath together. __________.

The 7:30 news put my back up when the newsreader announced that the average weekly wage is £157, and here I am on £90. 

Onward at 8 to the YP. The girls are obviously annoyed with me for not getting carried away at the SOGAT meeting. However, I do not argue when I know I cannot win. Of course I earn a king's ransom. My lifestyle is like Cary Grant's. 

At lunchtime I went to buy Ally a book at Greenhead's. 'Highland Fling' by Nancy Mitford. It's from Santa Claus of course.

Home at 6 to find the house in darkness. Ally came back 10 minutes later with her new hair and a look of disappointment. She thinks her hair is too short, but I like it. Perms do look a bit severe to beging with, don't they? We had an omelette and ate like starving wolves. ____________.

-=-