A Party

Our neighbour, Mimi, is leaving the island on Wednesday. She's lived here for around twelve years but has decided to settle in Belgium with her family.

She had arranged a bit of a 'do' at the local bar and invited us to join her. We don't normally go out in the evening as we prefer to wander around during the afternoon and come home for tea and television so it was a complete change of routine for us. I didn't really want to miss the Hell's Kitchen final either!

I must admit that it was quite nice to do my hair and nails and get dressed up for once and off we went. It was awful! Sometimes it is so embarrassing to be English. The local 'in' crowd had completely taken over and as we went to sit down we were shooed to one-side and went to sit on our own. I was fuming by then but kept quiet for Mimi's sake. To make matters worse, one of them came over to explain that it was a private party and did I not know that she was leaving. Where were they when she needed help with her packing?!

Poor Mimi. Her Spanish friends were at a loss too as they expected a couple of pizzas and a bit of a shindig. We went to sit outside with a few of them, had a beer and came home. I managed to catch most of Hell's Kitchen after all. We've arranged to meet her tomorrow and to say our own personal farewell.

She's been such a good neighbour and friend for the last eight years and we will miss her.