Z seems to have turned American

I arrived at school for a presentation by a company but, upon enquiry, it turned out that I was rather early.  By nearly three months.  Inexplicably, I’d managed to put 10/7 into my diary, when the event is to be on 7/10.  I’ve no idea.  I’m cracking up, evidently.

Still, at least it gave me an hour in hand, not that I did much with it.  Later, I went to visit our former Head in the nearby town where he lives, for coffee, cream cake and a chat.  And it was lovely to catch up – we did talk a bit of shop, but not too much, we talked about families, what he’s doing with himself, the over-excitement of the unscheduled visit to hospital at the weekend, I told him about Russell and received due sympathy (and briefly cried as a result, actual splashy tears that fell unexpectedly) and we hugged warmly as I left.

Our doctor is lovely.  R said he’d phoned while I was out (I had told him I’d be out all morning) and I hung about until 4 o’clock, then went out briefly – of course, that was when he rang back. So I did what I should have done before, phoned his secretary and left a message and he duly phoned again, soon before I was due to leave for supper with friends.

Although we have been pleased at how quickly appointments have been coming through, the weeks are passing and we only have a list of what isn’t wrong, while R still gets thinner, having a tiny appetite.  So he’s been taking advice on the best people to see privately.  He’s also asked for an urgent referral to a psychiatric doctor, in case R is suffering from depression.  I shall phone the private hospital in Norwich tomorrow.  “I know you’ve got to go out, I mustn’t keep you long,” he said.  I said that I was just meeting friends for supper, it was ok and he said he hoped I could relax and have a good evening.

I did, it was very good.  I’m afraid I’m not going to be able to visit Wink in Wiltshire and go on down to Devon at the end of this month.  There is no question that R can look after himself at present, let alone the animals.  I’ll write to everyone to tell them, of course, and hope he will be well enough soon to remake the arrangements.  I’m very disappointed, but it’s no one’s fault and can’t be helped.

The afternoon had been a bit more exciting than I thought it would be, and not in a good way.  There was a massive downpour, which went on for about half an hour and overwhelmed the gully again, so rain came pouring down into the passage.  And the other side of the door, in the study, and on the study windowsill.  I caught about a gallon and a half of water in pans and soaked several towels and rugs.  But no actual harm done.

3 comments on “Z seems to have turned American

  1. Liz

    I once turned up for a hospital appointment a month early. That wasn’t embarassing at all!

    There seems to have been a lot of rain at the Zeddery lately, both actual and metaphorical. You are definitely due some sunshine.

    Reply
  2. Z Post author

    The rain usually misses us. It was far worse at the high school, where there was flooding at both sites – through the roofs, that is, not through the doors. The Sixth Form has had to close today while they bring in dehumidifiers, and a quarter of the school will be out of use for the rest of the term – a ceiling in the corridor needs to be taken down and replaced and flooring may have to be replaced too. We’d put in for a grant for a new roof and been refused – I think all this adds strength to our appeal!

    I quite want a hide in the corner today, but I’ve got too much work to do, so I’ll put on some music and get on with things instead.

    Better early than late, I suppose!

    Reply
  3. allotmentqueen

    That’s okay with me, hun, I don’t think I could make the end of the month anyway. You need buckets, not pans to collect water *speaks from many years’ experience*.

    Reply

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