by stan graham
Mr Thompson has finally returned my calls and I wish he never had. It seems that he has decided not to go through with the move as he has heard things about Paradise Lodge. I demanded that he elucidate what he has heard but he just said. “I am not prepared to go into details but it would appear that you have not been completely honest with me.” With that he hung up on me. That’s the second time I’ve been hung up on, I don’t know what the world is coming to.
Well I am amazed and disappointed, I can’t image what the problem is but I will not let this go without a fight. I contacted Mrs Bluett but she hadn’t heard anything.
“I can make enquiries but can’t promise anything. Meanwhile would you like me to reinstate your name on the list?”
“I cannot see the point of that if people are going to pull out without even an explanation,” I said.
“I must admit you do seem to have been unlucky this time but perhaps next time will be better.”
“If there is a next time.”
“That’s entirely up to you I wouldn’t want to be putting pressure on you but the choice seems to be stay where you are or move.”
“Okay reinstate me on the list if you would be so kind. Thank you.”
Two more days with me fretting about why Mr Thompson had pulled out when I got another phone call from him.
“Mrs Bond? I must apologise for messing you about but if you still want to swap then I am prepared to go ahead with our deal.”
“Oh so no explanation as to why you pulled out in the first place. How do I know you won’t do the same again?”
“I was misinformed by somebody that I know who lives in your compound. I explained this to Mrs Bluett and she informs me that you are a very reliable honest person and that I should not listen to gossip. In fact she tore me off a strip. She was going to contact you but I said it would be better if I phoned you to apologise. So if you could forgive a foolish old man then I would like to go ahead.”
“Very well, heaven knows I am not one to bear a grudge but if you let me down again….”.
Today is the day of the big move. I have been up since 5am checking that everything was packed. I had the man come to read the gas and electric and I double checked them myself to make sure he got them right. I did the same at my new flat, I’m not going to pay for someone else's gas or electric. You might say that it is the culmination of a long journey, then again you might not. Mr Thompson has arranged it all. A week ago we visited our respective landlords together and signed all the legal documents. I thought that Mr Thompson might hold me to ransom at the last minute but no all went well. He even organised a removal man who is going to collect my few bits and pieces and move them in while at the same time he will take Mr Thompson’s chattels to my old place, as he said it will be much cheaper for both of us.
It cost me £200 that I suppose was reasonable. I am all excited. I haven’t told Janie or Peter, won’t they be surprised to find I can organise it all myself without their help.
It has all gone well, I am moved in. It all went as smooth as clockwork and I am sitting in my living room with a nice cup of tea. So it’s goodbye to all that. My new neighbours Fred and Maisie helped me move in and we had a cup of tea together.
I just hope Mr Thompson was telling the truth about this place because I’ve got a funny feeling. I heard some knocking in the loft but when I mentioned it to Fred Tweedie he just said it was probably just the plumbing and that it went like that sometimes.
I hope she settles in better this time but we shall see. Thompson didn’t tell her about Gladys the ghost in the attic. Still she never told him about the neighbours either did she?
I was watching the squirrels in the grove of trees on the way to the shop yesterday when I was hit by a half eaten conker. I looked around to reprimand whoever had done it and saw a grey squirrel sitting up high taking a bite from a nut and discarding it.
I have just received a letter from Mr Thompson asking if I would like to go to dinner with him. He suggests that we meet together in Upper Magister on Tuesday and he would buy me some dinner. A gentleman would have arranged to pick me up from my home rather than force me to traipse halfway across the county.
I shall go because I want to ask him about the noises in the loft. I don’t think it’s the plumbing, it could be a squatter. If Mr Thompson thinks that I shall put up with any hanky panky he has another think coming. I’m too old for all that malarkey.
“Jane I have a little surprise for you.”
“Oh that sounds nice Mum what is it?”
“I don’t want you getting annoyed but I have moved.”
“What! You must be joking. Where? Why didn’t you tell me before I could have helped you with the move?”
“Well it was all very sudden.”
“You aren’t kidding. So where have you gone and what’s it like? Does Peter know, no of course he doesn’t he would have told me.”
“I have done a swap with a man to a flat in Widdicombe. It’s not sheltered and there is a couple, brother and sister who share the ground floor flat. I am upstairs.”
“Why didn’t you tell me you were going to move I could have come down and checked it was al right for you?”
“I didn’t want to impose on you after all You and Peter have your own lives to lead, as you have made very clear in the past.”
“Well there is no need to take that attitude, anyway I am glad for you. I shall have to visit and see what it’s like. I can bring a flat warming present.”
“Yes you do that I look forward to seeing you. Mr Thompson whom I have swapped with has asked me out to dinner, do you think I should go?”
“I don’t see why not.”
“You don’t think I am being unfaithful to your Dad then?”
“Not at all. Seize the day.”
“Well if you really think so.”
“I do.”
“That’s a weight off my mind because I have already said yes. Why are you laughing?”
“No reason. Well I better hang up before all your phone money is spent. I’ll pass the news on to Peter and I expect he will be in touch. Bye.”
Well he hasn’t
It’s Tuesday night and I have just got back from dinner with Mr Thompson or Mike as he insisted that I call him.
“I do believe I deserve an explanation,” I said.
“I’m sorry?”
“There’s a strange noise in the attic. Did you know about it?”
“No, what sort of noise?”
“A rustling. I asked Fred Tweedie but all he could suggest was the plumbing”
“Well that’s probably your answer then, get in anywhere those little buggers.”
“I got the idea, I don’t know where it come from but I’ve got it in my head that it might be a ghost.”
“Mmm. Had a lot of trouble with ghosts have you?”
“No and I don’t intend to start having trouble with them either, not at my time of life. If you have anything to tell me then I suggest you do it now.”
“My dear lady I can assure you that I have never in my life been bothered with ghosts. Now are we going to dinner or not?”
Well we went to dinner and he was quite good company. I can honestly say that I enjoyed myself very much. Even if the question of the noise was swept under the carpet.
So no mention of Gladys his good lady wife.
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This is a work of fiction an bears no resemblance to any persons or places living or dead.
Hope you enjoyed my little tale,
Thanks to Christian for his help and encouragement in getting this book published.
Contact the author at '[email protected]'.
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