Phone Calls

Two recent phone calls, one at 6.20 this morning. As we don’t have a phone beside the bed, I struggled out from beneath the duvet, pulled on a shirt and got to the phone just as it stopped ringing.

I dialled 1571, heart thumping. Who’d died? Or was ill? Had something happened to Mum, or my brothers, my nephews or nieces? Who was ringing at this time of the morning?

It turned out to be someone sounding not entirely sober, saying that he wasn’t able to get to work this morning because of the weather.

I was so relieved that nothing untoward had happened that I fed the animals and snuggled back into bed for another half hour’s warmth. Hey ho. Happy Christmas and all that.

The other phone call was from elderly James last night, wanting to meet before Christmas. As we’re completely disorganised here, Saturday is set aside for shopping so that’s out, which leaves Sunday, when my mother is due to arrive. Then a thought struck me.

‘Are you going to your daughter for Christmas?’

‘Er – no.’ He sounded embarrassed by this. ‘I’m going to tiggle.’ Sigh. ‘You know. John – Tiggle.’ He giggled. ‘Can you translate that into English for me?’

I couldn’t, being momentarily defeated, and stunned that daughter isn’t having her own father for Christmas Day. I said I’d ring him back when I’d spoken to Himself who was out.

Himself was, like me, incensed that James wasn’t going to be with his daughter for Christmas Day so I rang back, said would he like to come here.

‘I’m not sure,’ he said. ‘I think I’m going to John. You know – no – what’s his name? Who are you?’

Having sorted out who I was, he calmed down and said he wasn’t sure what his daughter was expecting him to do. So he’s going to ring us when he knows.

If he’s not spending the time with her, I’m thinking of inviting his Canadian friend from the residential home. The one who's lost his sight. He's got a great sense of humour and is wonderful company. So that's me, Himself, my Mum, James and his mate. Hell, why not invite the whole home? We could have a party.