I've got my mind set on you....

I thought I'd take a week's leave to enjoy the heatwave, sadly it's gone to rats slightly, what with the thunder, lightning and generally being more than a little frightening (Gallileo!). Wilf is my almost constant companion these days, having left the Civil Service last Friday via an early severance package. I keep trying to persuade him to update his CV and send it out to interested parties but he's more concerned with organising the Scout's Summer Gang Show, which needs to surpass last year's Steven Speilberg extravaganza.

From viewing her blog it's clear that Eleanor's away on holiday; staying at her parents' holiday bungalow on the Kent Coast. Methinks I'll call her and see whether she requires any company, it must be quite lonely with only a pre-schooler for company. I'm sure Wilf's Golf can take the strain of the M2....

A new dawn?

Apologies for not writing for so long, as you can expect there have been quite a few things happening lately; the most important of which was Eleanor's estranged husband's funeral and the aftermath of that. I suppose, in retrospect, it went fairly well - the coffin was a size of a shoebox because that's pretty much all that was left of Roger once the hungry crocodile had had his fill. Helen Leckwith-Smith, Eleanor's mother-in-law kept raging 'why him? why him? He had his whole life ahead of him?’ I suppose she wasn’t hugely comforted by the crocodile skin bag which was granted to her in lieu of compensation by the reptile’s aristocratic owner? Sebastian and Eleanor were both very dignified; I noted that her new boyfriend Nick was at her side, which was supportive, although he did receive quite a few ‘daggers’ look from HLS.

Anyway, the upshot is that dearly departed Roger Cuthbert Cuffley had a huge mortgage protection plan on the property and the mortgage has been paid off. I’d expect his late ex-girlfriend’s family will try to stake a claim but Eleanor’s a strong woman, she’ll handle it.

Meanwhile Roger (Reynolds: my boss) is driving me mad with his constant rehearsing for his forthcoming show. I really don’t wish to hear Could It be Magic? Filtering through my flat ceiling at 7am! Hmm.

The aftermath

I'm currently looking after Eleanor's son, my second cousin Sebastian. He's a lovely boy and is watching Balamory and playing with his toys, which is nice. As for Eleanor herself, well she's taking it as well as expected and is visiting her mother-in-law and brother-in-law to discuss funeral arrangements today, she sees the solicitor next week.

Wilf's camping with his scout troupe today, they are going to Carrotty Wood in Kent, which is a Christian Site, so I'd expect loads of singing around campfires etc. I once saw a picture of Wilf dressed in long socks, short and a woggle, it was rather disturbing to be honest.

Roger's being very kind as usual; he's currently rehearsing his one man show - Roger the Raconteur, which he'll perform at the Suburbia Little Theatre in July. He's ordered a satin jumpsuit for the finale for which he's currently strengthening the seams in case of wear and tear. His last effort, which was apparently an all nude version of Billy Liar went down badly in Reigate and the terms of his probation were to keep away from all small to medium theatres outside the M25, luckily this production won't breach the terms, thank goodness!