Well,it's been a bit of a whirlwind day,as I've raced around finding new pastures for grabbing used parchment bargains. It was a successful trip though,as there was much available in the mercantiles of Columnestra and neighbouring Ludillanka,just four miles from the streets of Brigantia. Both are somewhat run down as small towns go,but flourishing in terms of Charity shops and second hand businesses. This is perfect territory for me to find used parchments,hopefully in the best of order. I eventually returned with twenty of the finest which will hopefully bring fair profit. I stopped for lunch at a Neapolitan bistro,where their minestrone soup was full bodied and packed with wholemeal goodness. I returned to the toadstool by two of the afternoon,in good time to avoid the gathering wind outside. I had admin. work to do ,and letters to write, so I busied myself at my electronic box for a while,between cups of peppermint tea.
I wandered down to the Mail Slot, to send off a few orders,and have a wander down the High Street to view the Festival decorations. It is Dingley Dell Fair Week,and the orange and green bunting hangs high all the way along the highway. Individual pennants describing various historical elements of Dingley Dell add to the festive look. There were dozens of visitors passing up and down, visiting the Museum and walking around the Town House. Green Dingley Dell has filled every high street pot with petunias,lobelia and marigolds.So the old town looks so beautiful today. The local tram service was dropping people off every twenty minutes so crowds were beginning to gather by the harbour. I would have stopped at the Buttercup Bistro for a cup of acorn coffee,but it was full to the brim with holidaymakers,even at the outside tables.As I peeped through the door on the offchance of an empty seat, the Boggart boy saw me ,and he grinned and waved. I hurried out. I definitely didn't want to hang around if the Boggart boy,with his puppy dog boggart eyes,was likely to pester the life out of me with his unwelcome attentions.
"Maybe he has a Mother Complex" said Pendragon when I voiced my angst about this teenage crush.The cushion which bounced off his right ear well expressed my feelings about being called somebody's mother.
Pendragon may exert his psychoanalytical powers on others,but he is sure to fare badly if he tries it out on me.
I don't really mind the boggart boy having the crush. Maybe it is very flattering that an elven woman of middle years can still sound an attractive note for a young man. But I just don't want to know about it,and I definitely don't want him to do anything about it. Keep it to himself,that 's what I want.
So I walked back up the hill without my afternoon coffee ,fending off the windy day,and planning our evening meal in my head.
I have much to organise this week. My meeting with Portamus Cumberpatch ,editor of the Daily Scandal, happens on Friday afternoon. On Thursday I visit my physio to discuss how well I am managing with my tendonitic hand. I also need to find some small but special red buttons for my betrothal gown. And tomorrow, I am meeting an old friend, Luvaboo Dreadminch,with Piccallilli also in tow, at the Jolly Woodman. I admit to having some foreboding about this outing.
Luvaboo has had some difficult marital times lately and ,I know , will just want to talk .(even cry)
She is not really a kindred spirit with the effervescent Piccallilli Peasegood, who chases any semblance of gloom before she starts. Luvaboo sadly invented gloom,so she is going to be hard work. I will be sitting in the middle between Luvaboo's woeful outpourings and Piccallilli's constant "just pick yourself up and move on" approach. I hope the food is good,as we will need something we agree on,and something that they can shut up for.
Pendragon finds my choice of companion rather strange, and often suggests to me that maybe with my new life ,I may be outgrowing some of these odd personalities. But they all belong in my life somewhere,they helped to form me and I am not just going to abandon folk because they may have some singularly peculiar traits. I'll manage,as they say.
I am still looking through possible bits of apparel to wear for my audition on Saturday. I have found a possible top and skirt,but I may go shopping in Brigantia on Thursday morning to find something new and special. Sommething with that feelgood factor.
I am stuffing peppers tonight with couscous and assorted vegetables. This is one of Pendragon's favourite mid-week munchables. He found my fajitas at the weekend simple "divine",and raves regularly about my cashew nut roasts. How wonderful to be so appreciated by such a fine fellow.
We are theatre-going in Metropolis on Saturday after my audition, with a fine pre-theatre meal at our favourite restaurant,Le Bon Viveur.
I intend to dress up as it is a first performane,and may look out my best little black number for the occasion.
Fun and games,my merry friends, are a necessary part of all our lives. Something to look forward to,something to dream about, something with which to perk up the mundane days of work.
I hope you have a theatre seat or two booked for a future evening of pleasure.
Till the morrow,take rest and take heart, life is for living.
From Amarantha Willow,actress and painter, writer and dancer, washerwoman and hoover maid, the Rainbow Faery.
