The Landlady has a bout of amnesia

During a fairly drunken session at The Windmill last week, my friend Miss T and I booked flights and accommodation for a trip to Budapest for four days in November. Such was the longevity of the pursuant evening in various Brighton hostelries that I forgot all about it, until I opened my laptop a few days later to check my bank account. One of the transactions listed was a mysterious payment to EasyJet Luton and it suddenly dawned on me that we’d booked a holiday, although it took me a while to remember where to. Thank the Lord for online banking, though, as without it most of my life would be a total mystery and I certainly wouldn’t remember where I’d been half the time. Although often that’s a good thing, as the name of a single bar on my bank statement can bring about shameful memories that are perhaps best left un-recounted. That’ll teach me to take my laptop to the pub. At least we didn’t book a trip to the wrong location as I did earlier this year when I booked a trip to the Maldives rather than a trip to the Seychelles.

“Such was the longevity of the pursuant evening that I forgot all about it…”

Now that the initial shock has subsided, I am looking forward to the event with great gusto, as I’ve cancelled my trip to Cuba which was supposed to be happening next week. I feel very bad about this, as it’s my great Cuban friend Yusi’s 40th birthday and I promised faithfully I’d be there for it. Fortunately, some friends of mine are going to Cuba at the end of the month and I’ve arranged for them to spend a few nights at Yusi’s house, so at least they can take a spectacular 40th birthday present for her from me. It is far better than sending it by post, as posting stuff to Cuba costs more than the stuff you actually post and it will probably get stolen anyway.

I am happy enough to remain at Landlady Towers at the moment, because I actually like my lodgers, for the first time ever. They are both French and very easy to feed, unlike my previous summer students who all appeared to be ‘allergic’ to chilli, which is often a main ingredient in my cuisine and something that my children would probably sack me for not using in their food. These girls are out studying all day, do not go out at night or crash around in their bedrooms ‘til all hours.
Furthermore, they use earphones when talking on Skype, when I’ve been used to people screaming and yelling all over the house. They seem to be as happy with me as I am with them, so I’m looking forward to a peaceful winter.

Illustration: Jake McDonald www.shakeyillustrations.blogspot.com