Darling Jason,
Well, your mama heard
about my trip to Australia and turned up in such a tizz convinced
that I was going to see you so I said that as well as Mrs
Cumberledge I was going out to see Lucy Anstruthers in Malaya
you know the wife of Colonel Anstruthers who was seconded to help the
Malayan air force after independence or is it called something else
now look at Rhodesia which has a new name and they stayed on
after independence. And I told her I was also going to see my dear
friend Eleanor Cumberledge since it was such a long way and she
said suspiciously that I'd never mentioned her before and I was
annoyed why does she have to vet my friends I ask you. So I asked
her if her memory was going and was she very stressed
in a polite way I assure you so she said of course
she was stressed and there was no ingratitude sharper than a
serpent's tooth which is a misquote from the Bible you
know the verse I mean but she meant you and how you'd mistreated
her. I saw red and decided to be sharp with
her and gave her my mind about you and Brent and how selfish
she had been and I think I've burnt my bridges which is a pity
because she is family but really to try and say it was all your
fault and why didn't you just find a nice girlfriend? She
said more but I shan't repeat it because she is your mother after all
but really she can be more offensive than anyone I know and that
includes Betty Whistlethorp who made a fine art of being rude and
offensive but that was at school so I don't think you met her
tiresome creature.
So I will be spending a
few days with Lucy whom I haven't seen for 20 years since she
came over to England with Hugh the colonel I mean only he's dead now
poor man from heart attack men are such fragile creatures we
women have to endure childbirth and children and men so we are strong
so Lucy is quite alone but she has faithful servants who have
been with for 30 years or more. I had to change my flight but
British Airways was very kind about it though what was wrong with
B.O.A.C. I don't know but I suppose I should have got used to the new
name now but when I went overseas with your grandfather we always
flew B.O.A.C. I think except once we went with TWA which was dreadful
and another time when we flew Air France with the Concorde. So I
won't get there on Friday after all but on next Wednesday and I know
I said Thursday before but I forgot the time difference anyway Parker
checked the details and I gave her your email I hope you don't mind
just in case and she will probably want Mrs Cumberledge's and Lucy's
phone numbers so if you can send me Mrs Cumberledge's that would be
useful.
 |
| La Grande Odalisque, by Ingres |
And my passport arrived. How they will believe that's me I don't know I'm sure I really do look like a Chinese Madam with hordes of odalisques at my beck and call and lots of hidden power and mystique which is quite untrue. Janet Fitstone was quite put out that I had the temerity to go travelling all the way across the world by myself as if I was a dotard which is a bit much really since it is she who has got all dithery but I think she wanted to come with me which is quite out of the question imagine having her all quavery and irritable and she always hated to go exploring and do different things and I do intend to enjoy myself. By the way I want to go and see Sydney Harbour Bridge because I saw pictures of it as a girl and I've always wanted to as long as it's not too far from Melbourne.
gran
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