Tableland Read Free

called Butt – had a party last night which went on all hours. The noise from the records and car doors slamming was terrible. I twice thought of going next door to complain but Ju1ie said, ‘It isn’t a neighbourly thing to do.’ I replied that it wasn’t very neighbourly of them not to invite us, not that we would necessarily have gone, and we “had words”. Then, at three o’clock in the morning, came the last straw: someone’s car horn got stuck. ‘That does it,’ I said and leapt out of bed double-quick, with Ju1ie shouting, ‘Don’t make a scene!’ and ‘You’ll get pneumonia!’ after me as I pulled on my dressing gown. ‘What’s the panic?’ Trev was calling, also awake by this time. I rushed out into the garden, down the path and into the road, where there was a crowd of people laughing and shrieking.
    Unfortunately, I didn’t notice a patch of ice on the pavement. One slipper flew off – I don’t know where it went – and I sprawled headlong into the crowd. Banged my head on the bumper of a car and felt quite dazed. Just lay there feeling rather foolish. Everything went quiet for a minute then, from somewhere, a woman said, ‘Are you alright, love?’ Think my head was bleeding and I must have looked a sight. I nodded and everyone started talking at once and jokes were cracked. They helped me up and forced me to come back to the Butts’ for a drink which I must say I felt like by now. ‘What were you doing out in the road?’ I was asked. I was unable to think of a good reply while sipping their brandy.
    When I arrived home much later, Julie said, ‘Whatever have you been doing all this time?’ and screamed when she saw the mark on my forehead. She really thought I’d been in a fight – taking them all on single-handedly. What with one thing and another I felt quite shaky; Julie seemed cross that I’d been asked to the party and she’d been left out.
    Today, Julie still in a huff about last night and thought she was going to sulk all morning, when she suddenly said, ‘This skirt doesn’t fit anymore. I’ll have to go on a diet.’ I said, ‘Not again, let’s face it, you’ve said this every year for the past six years.’ But, as usual, she said, ‘No, this time I really mean it.’ For breakfast she had only black coffee, although she cooked baked beans for me and Trev. While we ate toast and marmalade, she looked like a martyr. I don’t suppose the craze will last long.
    This evening Steve came round and suggested I go and have a beer round at his house, which was very civil of him. I was interested to see that he has a breakfast bar in his kitchen, which he said he had knocked up himself. He keeps a few tins of beer in his fridge and I thought this was a good idea. Must remember to tell Julie to get two or three tins. Had to sip my beer as it was very chilled. We had a good chat about caravans and he lent me some brochures. He has lived in Springcroft Meadow for three years and so is quite an old inhabitant of Weston.
    Felt self-conscious about the mark on my forehead and felt obliged to explain. Una was listening with interest and said, ‘You were quite right, going to complain to the Butts. They’re a fast lot and lower the whole tone of the neighbourhood. They seem to spend all their money on drink, parties and exotic holidays. What’s the inside of their house like?’
    Una very kindly asked if Julie and I could come over for coffee next Friday to meet some friends of theirs and I accepted. Saw an object attached to my gatepost which turned out to be the slipper I lost last night. Felt upset about it and removed it quickly – hope no one noticed.
    January 19th – Monday
    Saw in the paper this morning that there may be an electricity strike in the next few days. Must organise some candles and, if possible,