notleyl2
She took it as a serious slight on her impeccable judgement of character that he could even hint at the suggestion that she had may have been wrong to take in the lodger. But there was no doubt about the outcome. Their life savings had vanished from the cash bag hidden in the mattress along with the young man and he hadn’t even handed over his first month’s rent cheque. Now they needed that extra money more than ever but their innocent trust in strangers was broken forever.
I wished I had been wearing sunglasses when I left work this evening. Then no one, neither stranger nor acquaintance would have been able to see the shell-shocked look in my eyes. All the rest of your body can be strong. You can straighten your back, lift up your shoulders, breathe deeply and force a spring in your step but the eyes, your eyes will always give you away. I never knew that it would be the end of everything I knew today. The course of my life, changed forever. It is like something has died within me, beside me and beyond me – out of my control. But I was resolutley calm and professional. And I didn’t shed any tears until I was home, alone.
'Radar Love' by Golden Earring is easily one of the best songs of the 1970s. Don’t settle for anything less than the full album version. Brings me out in goose-bumps every time I hear it. It's electric.
You can tell an enormous amount about a person just from the way they keep their desk top. Or not as the case may be. A clear desk signals tidiness, order, control. This is someone who cares. Someone who matters or a secretive someone with everything to hide. A desk top where the pens and paper and phone are arranged at regular right angles indicates a fastidiousness possibly bordering on the obsessive compulsive. Someone who cares too much. A messy desk means a disorderly mind; someone who doesn’t care enough about themselves or what anyone else thinks of them. A dirty desk – well just don’t go there. That’s someone who has lost it completely. Someone who doesn’t care at all. Or someone with nothing left to care about. Dig a little deeper always; they all have a story to tell.
If you think you will ever be able to entice me into voting for you Ken – think again. It’s not going to happen. I’ve always been on the other side. I’m sticking to my colours, my guns; what goes around comes around. But most of all I don’t live in the city. I only work there. I'm a commuter so I don’t get a say. But even if I did Ken, I’m Boris all the way.
The rattle of the keys in the door signalled his arrival. All the house went quiet. We all froze. We always did. And waited. The door burst open and it was slammed shut. Then came the usual outpouring of expletives. Clara was closest to him this time and she took the brunt of his rage. She parachute-rolled across the front room carpet without uttering a sound. The acrid whiff of whisky and stale sweat hung heavy in the air. We dared not breathe. We dared not hope. It was going to be another bad and violent night.
Come follow me. Let me take you on a journey into my world, into my private domain. I will take care of you. I will nourish you, sustain you and build up your self-esteem. I will turn you round and make you into a better person than I could ever hope to be. You have potential. Let me be your mentor. Let me be your captain. Let me inspire and motivate you and I promise I will safeguard your soul.
The lovely new puppy had left a fresh puddle on the kitchen floor. Mongrol. It was wet, yellow and warm to the feet. Where there's liquid there's always sometihng more solid lurking and sure enough I trod in that too. I told him a kitten would have been so much easier. All you need is some litter and they are pretty much self-cleaning. Dogs are such hard work except when they eat their own sick. Disgusting. It's true, I'm never going to be a fan. Velvet eyes or not. They all have dog breath - even the baby ones.
See these pins? They have walked long and far. They've lasted the distance. Made do with tired feet and broken heart. Kept on going. Journeymen. Unrelenting. I don't care what you say. These legs have legs.
It begins.
He: You have the most exquisite feet.
It’s the first thing he ever says to her. As chat up lines go it’s a conversation breaker before the rest of the discussion has even been embarked on. She glances up at him intrigued and disturbed.
She: How on earth would you know? You can’t see anything underneath these thick tights and heavy boots.
He: I can imagine.
She: Well stop right there. I don’t really want you imagining anything more about me.
He: But I’ve only just begun.
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