- Jill is thankful
- Ruth doesn’t know the head from the tail
- Phoebe gone, Debbie on her way
- Lily is a jolly hockey, Freddie got lost and Ruairi’s on email
- Laser Fray?
- Peggy is a tad maudlin
Jill is thankful
Jennifer’s telling Jill about Jack being in hospital.
She reckons Peggy is “being brave but is worried”, and Jack is “very alarmed and difficult”
[Jill] “I’ve always felt how blessed Phil was, keeping his health until the very end”
Indeed. I’d be very glad indeed to have as dignified and quiet end as our Phil did.
Ruth doesn’t know the head from the tail
Well, she does. She’s just winding Pip up.
Pip’s actually stopped talking about marketing strategies and social networking (hurrah!), but is now onto more practical advice.
Someone called Chad seemed to have sold her on the idea of new farming methods (he was a salesman at the New Smithsfield), so she’s not telling Ruth what’s what.
Chad’s suggestion of “intensive, mainly indoors” cows doesn’t suit Brookfield at all, but Pip reckons they should get a nutritionist for the cows.
Ruth reckons they do just fine, without the Cow equivalent of Gillian Mckeith
[Ruth] “Before you go Pip, can you remind me, which is the calf’s head and which is the tail?”
As much as Pip seems to be irritating Ruth, Ruth is glad that Pip has enthusiasm. Seems David was exactly the same way with Phil.
Phoebe gone, Debbie on her way
[Jennifer] “Brian’s right, you know. As soon as one’s gone, one comes back”
Seems Phoebe got to South Africa just fine, and Debbie’s coming back for 10 whole days.
Looks like Jennifer isn’t going to have time to twiddle her thumbs after all.
Lily is a jolly hockey, Freddie got lost and Ruairi’s on email
So all the wee Archer kids have been packed off to their respective private schools.
I think it’s very odd that a wee 9 year old has an email address to contact his parents. Why aren’t they allowed mobiles? Surely that would help Ruairi get over any homesickness – that he can call his folks at any time.
But, sounds like he has settled in. Jennifer also seems calmer.
Freddie and Lily are, according to Elizabeth, also getting ion grand at the Cathedral school
Lily has joined the drama and art club, and is going for the hockey trials.
[Elizabeth] “I just think she likes the idea of running round biffing people with a stick”
And Freddie?
[Elizabeth] “He’s fine, doing things in his own sweet way as usual”
He hasn’t joined any clubs yet – Elizabeth reckons he’s exploring first.
Seems he has a new mate, Lochlan, who also enjoys exploring. They both got lost the other day in the school grounds when trying to keep up with a goldfinch (!). But Daniel found them, so all was well.
[Elizabeth] “Freddie though it was a terrific hoot. He really is his father’s son”
Freddie’s more interested in the Pony Clun than his school. But he and Lily don’t get much time to really escape – they get home, have a wee break, have their tea, then back onto their homework. Not much of a carefree life for a 12 year old, is it?
Laser Fray?
Jill wasn’t too sure what that was – I’m also not too sure myself.
Is it just a laser quest type thing?
Either way – all the kids are going out next Tuesday to it, for Josh’s birthday.
Again – Freddie and Lily don’t get much of a break. They have to be home by 8pm as it’s a school night.
Peggy is a tad maudlin
Actually – maybe maudlin isn’t the right word. She just seems to be accepting that Jack’s stroke could be the start of the end.
Jennifer thinks it is “encouraging” that he ‘only’ had a mild stroke.
[Peggy] “Hardly encouraging, dear … it’s affected his face and hand. All of his left side …
"This has all been so frightening for him …The plain fact is. He’s not a well man … he’s started on a journey which, no matter how long it takes, can only have one destination”"
[Jennifer] “It’s the same for all of us, isn’t it mum?”
[Peggy] “Yes … above all, I want the last part of jack’s life to be peaceful and happy … suppose after this the Laurel’s doesn’t feel able to look after him? … and if they won’t take him after he’s discharged, what on earth is going to happen to him?”
Back at home, with Elona working for Peggy full time (if Peggy can persuade her to stay)?
Poor Jack, and poor Peggy.
As I said above, if only we could all go quickly and quietly, like Phil.
No comments:
Post a Comment