26th April 2008

Lucas spent the week in the hospital, but thankfully, they didn’t need to graft any skin. Thanks to the morphine, he seemed to cope remarkably well. Charlotte and Suraj stayed on the ward with him, though Suraj had to return to work midweek, and on Saturday afternoon, Lucas was finally allowed home.

Sue, Sarah and I travelled to Newark on Sunday to visit. Charlotte rustled up a delicious Sunday lunch (I went back for seconds, naturally). Lucas, for the most part, seemed his usual cheeky self, although understandably a little clingy, wanting constant cuddles. Aside from his bandaged hands, you wouldn’t guess what he’d been through. We stayed for a few hours before heading home.

Also on Saturday, Jamie celebrated his 19th birthday. He’d driven down to Bournemouth on Friday with a friend for a weekend away. He’s said very little about the trip, but I suspect Bournemouth might have been a touch too sedate for his liking. I imagine he was picturing beach parties and instead got pastel cardigans and tea shops.

Sarah, meanwhile, whipped up a jam roly-poly sponge at school this week. I only heard about this after it had mysteriously vanished. I didn’t even get a crumb, outrageous!

The new doors have now all been fitted, and I’ve been spending my evenings tediously waxing them. It’s a thankless task, and the fumes are dreadful. Sue’s chest isn’t happy, and I’m fairly sure the wax is partly to blame, but the doors do look lovely, which almost makes it worth it.

On Friday night, I attended the Referees Society Annual Dinner at the Walker Stadium (Leicester City’s ground). It was a very pleasant evening with a good meal and an excellent guest speaker, Geof Probyn, who was both entertaining and insightful. I rolled into bed at about 1:30 am, but was wide awake and up at 7:00 am, continuing the door waxing saga.

Later that afternoon, I went to the Rugby Club to watch the second team play. Midway through the match, the referee ruptured his Achilles, and I was roped in to take over. Cue me, in everyday clothes, running around the pitch in the afternoon heat, trying to look vaguely official. It was a sweaty, undignified affair, and I certainly paid for it the next day.

In other news, I treated myself to a new PC monitor this week. It’s bigger, brighter, and should, in theory, lead to fewer typos. We shall see. I was also offered a job by a local IT company that seemed very keen, promising flexible hours. I’ve postponed any decision until after the summer. I’m not sure I’m ready to re-enter that world just yet.

Lucas has now had his bandages removed, and his hands are wrapped in plastic bags (a good sign, apparently). Though I can’t help but wonder if we’re supposed to be using fewer plastic bags these days. Hopefully, the climate will forgive us on this occasion.

And finally, somewhat astonishingly, Jamie is still with Harriet. Make of that what you will!