9th July 2021
Joey rang last night. He doesn’t do it very often, so I was afraid it was bad news, but he only wanted to ask me to stay over when I come up to collect Lucy, and go to mass with them on Sunday morning. He says Father Nat would like to see me again – I think it’s to do with us not being able to go to Aunty Dot’s funeral last year – is it only last year? It feels like a lifetime ago! Ruth was all for them putting me up, but they don’t have a lot of space, with having Aunty Rose living with them, so I’ve organised with Lucy and the others to stay with them. I’m going to be sleeping on a camp bed in Lucy’s room – up in the attic in the “sister’s” part of the house! I’m assured that they keep strict segregation rules so as not to offend anyone’s sensibilities. (By “anyone” I’m mainly thinking Ruth, but probably Mariam’s parents are glad to be able to assure their family that their daughter’s modesty is being preserved too.)