A few days passed me by, I was going crazy sitting on the buses going back and forth for so long, so many days.. often missing a connector bus too...

I would walk and walk those days, getting blisters upon blisters on my toes, bathing them in salted water of an evening while waiting for that slightly looney boy of Jim's to call.

I called up the operator late that night 12.01.a.m. to be exact. As I curled and uncurled the telephone cord around my finger I thought of all the things I could do to keep Mister James happy, mow the small lawn front and back, trim the roses, plant some tomatoes and a few punnets of summer vegetables.

All would be good things to keep me busy, as the housework was non-existent at the present time as I was alone, and of course not having parties or visitors to my door.

Hmmm parties I couldn't remember the last one I attended.... Perhaps Mabel Jones in the 'pool a couple of years ago, she was a friend of a friend so it was an awkward night of silence and watching the leather clad teds run after all the popular 'yes' girls.

I wasn't a prude of course I loved the idea of love it just hasn't touched me yet, reading romance novels and historical fiction was as close to the feeling, the longings, I had been. I had not too many friends in high school, I don't really know why....

Yes, I do. I WAS SHY. Shyness bubbled my veins turning me mute at parties and speechless when spoken to.

I went to the few bars and clubs in Liverpool, to watch.
The dancing, the bands, my friends purses... ' 'ere mind my purse' rang more than once in my ears.

Nonstop reading, a bookworm through and through, nibbling and digesting tomes of books while all the other girls were becoming 'aware' of boys.....

Aware of themselves...

While I....

Well I was wondering why Romeo and Juliet just couldn't sort it out or if Leonardo da Vinci was a fortune teller disguised as an artist.

Finally, the telephone operator started speaking again but to the hotel on the other end of the line, the curt sounding American was busy on other calls and something was said about every Tom, Dick and Harry and Mary wanting to be put through to one room or the other today or is that tomorrow are they ahead or behind our time, I'm so confused. It's so darn late at night or is that early?

Putting you through now Miss.

The telephone was doing that weird ring it does for the call and I stood to look at the back yard, nope no bluebells, what a pity, could do with some colour to liven the place up.

??: 'ello RiCHARd's 'air Saloon, Manuel speaking, you wanta acuta or a shavin'?

Me: Oh Hello Manuel? I would like to speak with Mister Ramone please.

Manuel: Ah watta pity you sounda lika you need a chippity choppa.

Me: A whatta??? oh a trim or cut, no. Do I have the wrong room, sir?

Manual: Oh, no Luv just joshing with yer. I'll get Jo-Bill right now at this very present moment, right now for you.

Me: Thank-you Manuel

Manuel: Sorry for the confusing chattering. I was just having a bit of laff with ya, its right boring here. Hurry up Bill!!

Bill: Bill speaking with his voice how may I direct your traffic?

Me: Its Abigal here.

Bill: Oh Hello Abby! How the bloody hell are you luv, we are all gear and fad here. Ramone is untouchable at the moment sorry unreachable as he is on the roof, get it?!

Me: Arr morning Bill, just checking in with a progress report on our Jim. He seems better today, stable.

Bill: And you

Me: And me what

Bill: Well how is our Abbs holding up? Eating I hope, don't want you skin and bones now, do we luv.

Me: I fend for myself nicely, tea and toast usually.

Bill: Well that's no good, no good at all. I want you eating well kiddo.

Me: Well you see I don't have any knives.....

Bill: Well I'm your man! I have loads of knives.... long, sharp and pointy (Manuel: Hey don't talk about me nose like that!)

Me: Only kidding, just be sure to tell Ramone that his Da is safe and well, please Bill.

Bill: (dramatically) Abby don't leave me, these heathens... they will have me for dinner!! Don't leave me Abby!

Me: Why the dramatics Bill? Are you bored, slow knife sales?

Bill: Hmmm stuck in a room with three gits can get on your goat. Abbs as you know Ramone is a prat, Geo just eats everything leaving mess about, and Manuel well he has a terrible affliction and taps on everything.... nasty stuff.

Me: And you?

Bill: Oh I'm just a simple lad, treasuring conversations with young ladies like yourself, walking in the rain and selling knives, I'm all romance and work that's I, Abby.

Me: So perfect?

Bill: Abby just hit the nail on the head, she thinks I'm perfect lads (Manuel: pull the other one. Geo: don't talk utter rubbish. Ramone: Hey is that Abby give us the blasted phone Jo-BO..ill)

Ramone: Abigail terribly sorry for Bills lewd behaviour ( I'll give you lewd- there take that!!!!) Oh god! he just flashed me, that...that, cannot be unseen.

Me: Like he dropped his trousers, you mean?! (I giggled at the ruckus Bill was making)

Ramone: Exactly, oh dear. Well now he has ruined my vision. Now back to you luv, how is Da?!

Me: Your da is doing very well, stable and seems move lucid, I will go up again at 9am and try and challenge him to some card games!

Ramone: You are so wonderful to him. We are indeed grateful for all you do. (Bill: Abbs I'll bring you a knife on my return to the Blighty my dear, sharp enough to cut Ramone's ear off, of which I think you will want to do by the way!)

Me: Why would I need to cut your ear off?!

Ramone: Take no notice of the wack he hasn't had his cornflakes yet, he gets very testy when he skips breakfast. Well best dash shows to do and tons to sell. Ta-rah!

Click.