Week 9 – Wednesday
10.05.09
Well what a night at Manda’s mum’s house. She has even more religious icons than last time I was there. As we started scraping the spare room we heard her downstairs playing her Bontempi organ. She was singing her usual hymn ‘Walk in the light’. Manda reckons she is trying to make her see the error of her ways. We scraped for over three hours (we did take six fag breaks mind you ). Cynthia (Manda’s mum ) did not offer us a cup of tea, not so much as a glass of holy water.
She is only in her late sixties but looks about eighty. She has always worn tweed, shin length skirts and polyester jumpers. Oh and always sensible shoes. She refers to Manda’s shoes as ‘death traps’.
As we put our coats on to leave she asked Manda when she was going to settle down. Manda told her mum that she will let her know when she is ready.
Cynthia said “Alas, I will never be a grandmother.” She then proceeded to show us the hideous floral wallpaper that she had bought from the pound shop and asked us when we would be around to decorate. Manda informed her that we were working overtime but she would see what she could arrange and get back to her. She didn’t see us out, instead she returned to the dining room, Emmerdale blaring from the television and began to play ‘Walk in the light’ again.
Manda said to me that the last time she had tried to walk in the light, she hurt her eyes and had to put her Ray bans on.
Went to Mark’s tonight to find out what the surprise was and I was a bit disappointed. The surprise was that his cast had been removed. I told him I was pleased for him but I think he could tell I had bigger expectations. Anyway we played on the Wii for a bit and just chatted. God bless him, he has offered to decorate for Cynthia but only if I help. I told him he didn’t know what he was letting himself in for. He is not a Catholic like myself and Manda so I know she will give him a hard time of it.
Mark still can’t drive but he gave me the money for a taxi as it was dark outside. He said it was about time I learned to drive. I told him I have to concentrate on finding a new job first. He said that being able to drive would have widened my choices as travel would not be an issue. I just shrugged.
I haven’t told Mark that I have failed my test eleven times. Only Manda and Tracey know. Too ashamed to tell anyone else. I just go to pieces behind the wheel. I have tried female instructors, old instructors, young instructors, Manda as my instructor, Tracey as my instructor but all to no avail.
I will be agitated tonight because of this. I thought I had buried my driving lesson past.
Just before bed I went on google to look for ideas to speed up Mark’s recovery. It said heat, ice and Arnica cream were good so I will buy him some tomorrow. It will show I care.
