I went home from work early, because I had had enough of the week and decided I needed an early weekend. Somebody was rude and grumpy to me (this happens in taxis): and I was rude and grumpy back instead of rising above them in a patronising and self-righteous untroubled sort of manner, which is always my favourite sort of response, mostly because people find it really offensive. This made me cross with myself about my lack of restraint as well as with them.
Also I had been reading ‘Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother’ all day in increasing disbelief. It is a horrible book, and made me feel dreadfully sad, so I resolved not to read any more of it and just to take it directly back to the library. Anyway, about six o’ clock I realised that there was a splendid purple-blue sky, with just a few wisps of maroon-coloured cloud: and a crescent moon and some sparkly bits which might be either stars or satellites or even a space station, so I jacked it in and took the dog for a walk round the Library Gardens so I could look at them instead and restore my soul to a state of customer-free tranquility, and whilst I was at it I posted the stupid book back through the library letterbox.
I am back home now, with the children and the dog, all of whom were happy and pleased to see me, possibly because although I am a bit inefficient I am contented with our lives and am not a Chinese Tiger Mother. The fire is glowing red in the grate, and the house is warm and quiet, and I am going to do some ironing and listen to The Archers, which is such a lovely thought I have cheered up completely.
Mark is on his way home. I am dying to hear all about his adventures, and have phoned him four times already to see where he has got to, but have had to stop because he is beginning to sound impatient. He is only coming back for the weekend, as he has got lots of companies to go and see in Aberdeen next week, so he will not be home properly any time soon.
He sounds surprisingly excited, quite cheerful and confident about the whole thing. He is relieved, I think, to be away from the last place which he didn’t much like but couldn’t leave with a clear conscience on account of the school fees. He is going to go and have an Informal Chat with their direct competitors next week, who like the idea of his product knowledge and might be offering a very much better salary, so yah boo sucks. He has suggested a bottle of wine and a take-away over which he can tell me all about it, which sounds ace, especially since it is Friday and I don’t have to get up in the morning, so I am pleased with the idea and looking forward to the night.
As an added satisfaction I have had the happy recollection that there will be some sort of tax rebate to be had from unemployment, which is a splendid thought. I am looking forward to more interaction with the Inland Revenue. It is weeks since my tax return after all, and I am beginning to miss them. It will be nice to pick up the threads of our relationship again. What a nice end to the day.
LATER NOTE: Mark arrived at that point. I was going to write some more of this but alas after a bottle of a nice Spanish something from the Co-op although I can’t remember what but it had a yellow label I don’t think I will bother after all. Mark is here and has explained that his previous employers were ghastly anyway but he thinks he has found a nicer one so doesn’t care, so I don’t care either, he is very clever and I am sure he will look after all of us and not let us starve to death or have to go to state schools or buy cheap soap or anything dreadful, and I am having a lovely night and probably going to go to bed now, see you tomorrow, hurrah xxx
