Friday, January 25, 2008

Maddie’s going.

Story contd

Since I left home as a young girl, Maddie and I had had a fairly volatile relationship mainly because I had developed a mind and opinions of my own. She and her husband came over each week-end and I valued her friendship so it was a blow when she told me they had decided to emigrate to the States - a much bigger step then than now.

She had my aunt, as a resident – a GI bride who lived in Rhode Island and Liam, Jamie’s brother who lived with his wife and family in NY State. Maddie asked me if I ever thought of Jamie and I said the recent experience with Gary had make me think of him and regret that we hadn’t taken our relationship further.

‘If it had been Jamie instead of Gary I wouldn’t have thought twice about it. I feel I cheated both of us. But it’s all over now. I’m a different person and I’m sure he is too.’ I assured her and stuffed any further thoughts of what might have been way out of my consciousness.

Maddie and I decided to have a few days walking together before she left and we had a really bonding time in Wales- getting to know each other as adults, although I would always be the younger sister to her – dammit! We stayed in an interesting hotel with a lake in the garden and nearly froze to death. Each night we would huddle in the bar where mine host and his attractive wife would regale us with tales which might have come straight out of ‘Under Milk Wood’. The locals would come to inspect the two English ladies and the whisky flowed freely. The bedrooms were so icy we dreaded going to bed.

It wasn’t all decadence – we climbed two mountains; one was Y Garn and the other one’s name escapes me. I do remember – when we were at the top, having a blonde moment and suggesting we went another way down, which looked rather pretty. At the bottom we realised we were miles from where we had left the car and had a long walk in pouring rain before getting a hitch. We were terrified we may have missed dinner (the food was excellent) but our worried hosts had kept it for us.

Maddie asked me if I would go up to Mum and Dad’s with her to soften the good-byes. All went well until we were on the station at Manchester and Dad was in a huff- God knows why. As it got nearer and nearer to the time when we got on the train I couldn’t stand it any longer and took Dad off.

‘Dad you’ve GOT to say good-bye properly. You may never see Maddie again.’ By this time I’d lost it and we ended up all hugging each other and smiling through our tears but all the tension had gone. I’m happy to say that the parents visited the States many, many times for the rest of their lives and Maddie came over at least once a year.

At the theatre club I decided to do Shaw’s ‘The Devil’s Disciple’ as a big public production. The character of Dick Dudgeon had always attracted me and I persuaded Alan, who was our solicitor, to play the part. He was a fine actor – more cerebral than physical; I treasure the look he gave me when I asked him to leap onto a table to hold forth. It was difficult for him but we got there in the end.


We had an old film actor in the club (he appears in the film ‘The Lady Vanishes’) and I thought he would make a great General Burgoyne but Charles wasn’t going to give in so easily. He leant over me from his great height, a lank lock of too- black hair flopping over his moustached face,

’ Who played the original part?’ he demanded. I looked up at him, blinking a little.

‘Laurence Olivier.’

‘Harrrrrumph!’

And I knew he was mine, but he was very high maintenance and I had to provide a pair of thigh high suede boots before he was happy. Those wretched boots; every time Charles was on stage they seemed to me to be the focus of attention. Actors can be difficult at times!

What I discovered was that each act is written in a different style so one could get beautiful Chekhovian movement in the first act – then it’s all war, war, war and finally funereal with the Dead March. Still it went down well and it was a learning experience.

We had a bit of bother at the shop. Someone had opened a shop run on the same lines as us in the next town. They were perfectly entitled to do this but they named it using four words only one of which was different to ours and then by only three letters. People would come in the shop and say we went to your other shop. It’s called ‘passing off ‘as if someone opened a store called Marks and Spicer. Alan, our solicitor was convinced when his partner said,

‘I see Pat’s opened another shop.’

Alan was great and sent them some strong letters and they had to change it. Cheek!

All was going well; the family were fine, the shop was booming. I was in demand a an actress and director and then I met Tim

50 comments:

Anonymous said...

If there is one thing I'm grateful for, it's the ability to send the EMBLOS and kids to Germany to see family once or twice a year. It makes the distance much more bearable.

Cheers.

Pat said...

Randall: Just remember the next time they go to take better care of yourself. Are you really better now?

OldLady Of The Hills said...

Darn you Pat....LOL...You do this Every Time!!! The Old "Cliff Hanger"...Then you met 'Tim'..Hmmmmmm
Me-thinks the Plot Thickens quite a bit! (lol)

Z said...

I agree - what a cliffhanger to leave us on. And I suppose you'll 'innocently' make us wait a while for the next installment...

Pat said...

Naomi: I have to get you to come and visit me somehow:) The truth is some parts are more difficult to write about and if I don't commit myself as in 'Then I met Tim' i might put it off for ever and I do get weird dreams.

Z: moi innocent??? However Z, see above for an explanation.

kenju said...

I agree with Naomi; your cliffhangers are hard to bear!

Pat said...

Judy: I know very well you are a big strong girl:)

craziequeen said...

This peculiarity that is the blogosphere is strange in that it allows the voyeur in every one of us to surface now and then - in our case, in the most respectable way, of course!

I see so much reminiscence on blogs these days, it satisfies that little voyeuristic part of us. And, of course, unburdening oneself is good for the soul, I hear.

[chuckle] I love that the 'girls' are so frustrated by your cliffhangers...

Michele and I wish you a restful Saturday..

cq

Pat said...

cq: it is on the whole therapeutic for me:I have to really exercise my memory and it helps me to make some sort of sense out of my life although it is also uncomfortable at times. If I live long enough I shall make it into a book but as long as people enjoy reading it, I'm happy.

OldLady Of The Hills said...

Well, my dear, WE DO ENJOY every minute of it!
I kid you Pat, nut I really do understand that writing about the past can be painful, and I also understand your need to give yourself that hook to comtnue the memoir...! I very much look forward to the next installment, my dear.,..!
Michele also looks forward to it, too!

Pat said...

Naomi: bless you for your understanding and I shall carry on to THE END:)

kenju said...

LOL....yes, I am big and strong - but I'm sensitive!! Quit the cliffhangers, please.


When I started my business, I had a lawyer research state records to see if there was another business with the name I wanted. I was lucky - there was not at the time -although there had been a restaurant with the same name.

Pat said...

Judy: yes that's what honest people do - not try to jump on other peoples backs and reap the benefit of all their hard work. Good on you!

Anonymous said...

I guess I'm late to the story and I don't know if it's yours or fiction. I'm getting a feel it's older times when people often really didn't see each other again crossing the ocean. It's sad to say goodbye to a sister and a family. I have done it myself. Over from Michele's.

Pat said...

Hi Colleen: it's my story - with a few name changes- and it was long ago. I'm very old:)

Anonymous said...

It has been long time I have been here. I will catch up with your story.

Michele should send me here more often..:-)

Pat said...

gautami: nice to see you:)

Anonymous said...

Just had a good catch-up after a few days and what a lot you have written. Left us with another cliffhanger again though.

Pat said...

Sablonneuse: et tu Brutus!

Anonymous said...

Jolly good show or something like that...Michele sent me!

Pat said...

Hi Caspar!

HRH Courtney, Queen of Everything said...

Greetings from Michele!

FOUR DINNERS said...

Oh C'mon!!!! I get lazy visiting everybody and end up with 'and then I met Tim'!!!! no fair!!!

Why'd you quit acting and directing anyroad?

Pat said...

4d: don't YOU start!
When I married MTL I found I didn't want to spend the time and effort and energy, acting and directing require, away from him. The second time around you do it differently.

Maria said...

Pat,
I enjoyed your post and I promise to come back and read more, but now it is time for me to get some housework done. michele sent me.

Pat said...

Hi HRH!

Maria: thank you and come back anytime:)

Zinnia Cyclamen said...

Alan sounds like a real gem. So is Tim the person who helped you keep your head above water? (See I am paying attention here at the back!)

Pat said...

Zinnia: Alan was a good family friend and solicitor. Yes you are right about Tim. Well done! The next episode will explain with nary a cliff hanger. If I can help it:)

Casdok said...

I love cliffhangers!!!

Pat said...

Casdok: good girl! Go to the top of the class

sage said...

wow, you certainly leave us wanting more--wanting to know more about Maddie, wanting to meet Tim... Well done, and a good morning from both Sage and Michele.

Anonymous said...

Tim? Tim? Where did Tim come from?? And how long will you keep us on tenderhooks? xx

kenju said...

Michele sent me to ask you to say where Maddie lived in the states, and to please continue the story soon!!

Pat said...

Sage: ya just gotta come back:)

Sim: all will be revealed within the week:)

Judy: New York State - various parts plus Vermont for a time, presently on the banks of the Hudson but on the move again.

apprentice said...

I wish my sister was on the other side of the pond lol!
But I know what you mean about distance, time has telescoped it so much it's hard to remember how far away it seemed back then.

And another fine cliffhanger, Tim indeed!

Pat said...

Anna: believe me I know what you mean. Just don't mention my mother's ashes!

David Edward said...

"and then I met ____"

i wonder how many of our stories turn on that phrase?

here from michele

Anonymous said...

Finally, I get to award you something you don't already have -- unless, of course, you just haven't updated your trophy cabinet, in which case, carry on.

Cheers.

Anonymous said...

wow, this is such an amazing little snippet.

michele sent me to say hello.

FOUR DINNERS said...

old perhaps but not dirty. I shower at least twice a day ;-)

Pat said...

David: in fiction or real life?

Randall: just been over. Thank you very much:)

Leigh: glad you liked it:)

4d: you are not old either.xoxox

Daphne Wayne-Bough said...

Now I don't know who's the more intriguing, Tim or Michele? Is she real or is it code for something? Is she like Samantha in I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue? I love your cliffhangers, I beat out the drum beats from the end of Eastenders on my desk whenever you finish on one.

Nea said...

I thought I was paying attention, but I may have missed a bit: wasn't it another walking holiday when you first met Jamie, did you meet a few times or just the once? Just wondering about the "relationship" that wasn't taken further.

I like the drama of cliff-hanging, it's very romantic.

Pat said...

Daphne: Tim appears in the next episode - fully. Michele is a Canadian lady - see my side bar - who has a blog where - at week-end people 'meet and greet' Go over and have lok - you meet some nice people. I love the idea of the drum roll. if only I could incorporate it.

Nea:listen carefully I shall say zis only wance: I frst met Jamie when he called at my parents with his brother, when his brother and my sister were friends at Oxford. Later he and his friend came climbing in the Lakes with me and my nursing friend. What I meant about the relationship was I wishes I had slept with him. God - and it's Sunday!

Eryl Shields said...

Have I missed something, who is Gary and are you still married to William? Can't wait to hear about Tim, I too love a cliff-hanger. One day I think I will print out all the posts of your story and read them in one go to get I'm properly clued up.

Pat said...

Eryl: don't give me heart attacks! For one ghastly moment I thought I had muddled the names but no. Only for you! Go back to Dec 14 2007 'Teacher's Pet Part 1.' I think he is in three episodes. I too would find it very helpful to have it printed out. One of these days.

Anonymous said...

Ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooh! Tim!

I do know this is your past, Pat, and I don't mean to dribble over it in quite so unseemly a way but you tell it so well I can't help but get excited about what's coming next. You gotta tell us about Tim, very, very soon!

Agog! Agog, so I am!

Pat said...

Sam: In just so grateful it doesn't bore the pants off you:)

neena maiya (guyana gyal) said...

OOh, Pat, I'm glad I didn't read the newer posts first, in catching up. I've gone back to the dates I missed. Wow. I wish I didn't have dishes to do, yikes. I will be reading on and off, all day now, in between vacuuming, etc.

Pat said...

GG: I'm lucky to have you. Hope you enjoy it:)