A welcome change of plans

The Fox is just about to start carving the roast chicken – yes we’re having another one – when the doorbell rings. Who on earth is this? It turns out to be a neighbour. The following day they’re having a BBQ & we’re invited.

How nice we thought. From time to time our street has these little shindigs, where the neighbours get together. We haven’t had one for a couple of years – you can hardly call Dave’s wake one, though all the neighbours did get together as we endeavoured to show support for his widow.

So now the Tuna Fish Pilaf the Fox was intending to make tonight is on hold. We’ll probably have it on Tuesday, another day when we want a quick meal. Tuesdays are always chaotic with Linda coming in the morning, making it difficult to prepare much food in the morning & then we usually go out to do the food shopping in the afternoon.

I keep thinking we should host one of these little parties & let the neighbours see the new garden for which they had to endure noise & chaos for a while. The Fox, however, is nervous. He thinks we will be unable to cope with all the food preparation etc. And anyhow he feels he has more than enough to do, keeping an eye on me. I suspect there is an element of truth in what he says. Last summer we had a couple of friends over, those who regularly cruise, just for drinks. It took me several pain-filled days to recover from the event. Still it would be nice to show our appreciation for the kindness & support of our neighbours.

When my stepbrother, who lives in Greater Manchester, came up a couple of years ago, he was astounded by how friendly our neighbours are. As we drove along the road, everyone we passed waved a greeting. That never happens where he lives. They barely say a word to their neighbours. We’d assured them we sent Xmas cards to all ours every year – unheard of where he lives. I didn’t mention these little parties. That really would have been beyond his belief.