Neighbourliness

We have had the busiest of busy days, and it isn’t over yet, because we are going to do some more socialising this evening.

I love not working. I have never had so many friends.

Our next door neighbour is going to come over and we are going to have a drink together. We have done this before, although not very recently, and the problem is that we do seem to become intoxicated very quickly when in his company.

I am sure it will be fine. We have had some egg and bacon sandwiches for dinner, and I am writing this in a flurry of haste before he arrives.

I like him very much. He is the most tolerant of tolerant neighbours. Let me remind you that Oliver has a drum kit.

We had a lie-in this morning. We do not get very many of these, because of Oliver and school, and so it was a joy. We sat in bed looking at pictures of second-hand sofas on the computer. My favourite one was beautiful. It had a carved back and was upholstered in raspberry pink velvet. I loved it, it would have looked glorious with the blue and gold that I am planning to paint on the walls, but it might have to wait until we have got some cash. I do not think Mark will mind if this takes some time.

When we got up we had a nice surprise, because my parents have very kindly paid for Oliver’s computer screen.  We were very pleased about this, and actually so was Oliver, because he has been awash with horrible feelings of guilt ever since. There was no need for this because we all break things sometimes. I once broke my favourite cup when I threw it at Mark and he ducked.

Oliver rang them, because he wanted to talk to them anyway. A few weeks ago they sponsored a guide dog in Oliver’s name, and he has been following its progress with great interest. It is still at the puppy-walking stage, and they send us pictures every now and again. It appears to be all energy and legs, and looks to be every inch an enthusiastic idiot, how on earth it is ever going to stop somebody from falling under a train I have got no idea: although I will concede that they are very much cleverer than you think, especially in Roger Poopy’s case. His spelling is now better than Mark’s, and he knows perfectly well what is going to happen when one of us suggests that we empty the you-know-whats.

The guide dog might be coming up to Windermere in a few weeks. We are hoping that we will be able to meet it. Oliver is very excited about this.

After we had finished gassing, followed by emptying the you-know-whats in the park, followed by breakfast and a cup of tea, we thought that really we ought to make a start on the day.

We cleaned. We started at the top of the house and dusted away every trace of building dust. I had got to try very hard not to be cross about this, because of course it was not in any way Mark’s fault, but I felt grumpy all the same. I did not at all want to be dusting, because it is hardly any time at all since the last time, and the sun was shining and the day was glorious.

I did not tell him about this. I dusted in noble silence, and forgave him when he cleaned the bathroom, because I hate doing that.

LATER NOTE: I have had a very lot to drink.

I was right about our next door neighbour.

He is the best next door neighbour in the world ever.

We have had such a lovely evening, and such a lot to drink.

I am so happy.

I had better go to bed.

I forgot a picture.

Have a picture of the dresser.

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