Living with Auntie!

I have been giving some thought to the fact that on our return to the UK we will be staying with my Aunt for a short while. Now, this is not a new experience for me but it is one I have not experienced for a great number of years... probably 39 years to be precise. I have quite fond thoughts about time spent with my Aunt going back to when I was a youngster, in London and later on holidays in "the country" and finally just after I came out of the Army.

As a child she would "baby sit me", take me out, take me to the cinema and generally have to put up with me playing gooseberry when she could have well done without me being around. On one occasion when we were alone in our somewhat gloomy London house we were disturbed by a noise in the house that she quickly decided was a burglar (or some sort of intruder) so, we barricaded ourselves into the sitting room until my grandmother came home and the police were sent for.... I was accused of leaving the front door open..... I didn't, I promise.

During these times together we would play games and one that has stuck in my mind involved me being blindfolded while my Aunt would lead me "Up the Bishops stairs", a small pile of books on the floor, or ask me to taste the Bishops blood (!!) and then get me to sip something that was perhaps vinegar only to be be followed by her placing a very soggy grape in my hand telling me "this is the Bishops eye" at which point I think I would freak out.

Much later in life, when I would come home on leave from the Army, I would stay with her in a bungalow she had near Portsmouth. Bearing in mind we were adults it may surprise you that on one occasion she decided to lock me outside in the Garden, I think she had "flicked" my head and I had chased her outside. In any event we spent about 15 minutes chasing round and round the outside as she tried to keep ahead of me locking doors and windows as we went. I think that the sight and sound of this accompanied by the barking of her poodle must have mystified the neighbours.

For some time after she was widowed I would act as a chaperone, going with her to parties and other events where she needed a partner, or course this hampered any ideas I had of "pulling" a young lady at any of these events as come the end of the night it would have been like Cinderella at midnight with me darting off to get my Aunt home. One memorable night "pouring" her through the front door we were confronted by a very angry Grandmother in her curlers and dressing own, toe tapping and arms folded. "What do you call this bringing her home like this state"? Well, something like that anyway.

I don't think things will be like that again as we are both now so far advanced in years that having an ASBO served would not be the type of award that we would look forward too.

I hope our stay is not too stressful for her and that we are soon out of her space and in our new house.... I must not outstay my welcome! We are very grateful her help with our move and look forward to seeing her and adding a new "Bond experience" to her retirement!!

Just a reminder.........

Will she notice I changed from this to this?