“Two free tickets for Chelsea flower show, with two supplementary tickets – each for a free glass of champagne from the champagne tents. Friday. Anyone like them?” said NB (New Boy), “I can’t use them.”
This question was raised at the start of my Monday writing class. No one else put their hand up.
“I’d be interested,” I said, “but I’m working that day.”
A few phone calls later (after class) and I had swapped my usual Friday for Thursday, phoned NB and said ‘yes please’ to the tickets, and rung my friend to see if she could come with me.
My friend, Rose, a gardener, had to swap work commitments around, but by Monday evening our trip was arranged.
On Friday morning we set off a 6am: Rose drove her yellow peril car and I provided navigation with the help of Tom Tom. Thursday had been a day of sudden downpours amongst wind and grey cloud, but Friday was better… still a little windy, but no rain and only white cloud, with the occasional outbreak of temporary sunshine. Marvellous. Though a little chilly.
Boadicea's Chariot 