12December1995

London: 12th December 1995
My dear folks,

Last night stretches ahead. I wish I got eight hours sleep again today. But that would be wishful thinking. It’s warmer and wetter today. Chris Jones has flown in from Guyana and the States on his way home to Cape Town for Christmas. Barbara has taken him into town for supper & a glimpse of the festive lights. There aren’t a lot of Christmas lights in Guyana, Chris said, when I wondered whether he really wanted an evening on the town between a series of long flights. He should sleep well tonight. He flies out again tomorrow. He’s been having a tough time of it, with a huge, very problematic road contract, wretched conditions & some unpleasant people. Says he’s been growing up fast. I believe it.

We had a call from a second lot of tenants this morning saying their central heating had gone down. I’m waiting for Willie, the plumber, to call, as I write. He said he’d try to make it by 8 when I leave for work. Otherwise, the tenants will have to shiver until tomorrow.

Thanks Cathy for your fax. Jones says she’s managed to find all the bits and pieces you sought. She went off to the dentist this morning for another session on two teeth she broke down in Portugal. One of them is sporting a gold band tonight. I reckon the pair of us are going to be worth more in death than in life if we go on like this. Jones reckons it’s most unfair that teeth should crumble for no good reason. It wasn’t as though she was munching on something brittle at the time. And she had doubts about having expensive repair work done. No such doubts in my mind. I don’t want to leave my teeth in a glass overnight, thank you. I believe in putting my money where my mouth is.

I was having a chat with a colleague last night who is interested in getting on the Internet. He said he still wanted to, but was spending all his money on lawyers to fight his wife! I shuddered at the thought. Was reminded of it this afternoon during a report on a mega court battle between the parents of the “Home Alone” American kid who has apparently made millions with a series of films I have had the good fortune to miss. Seems to have been blessed with two of the most ambitious and unpleasant parents any kid could wish to avoid. At least they can all afford to enjoy their spiteful lives.

I was glad to see the French pilots go home. We were chasing the story this morning but we couldn’t nail it down in time. I’d better start thinking getting to work.