Keep Your Distance

We had a new guest staying with us last week by the name of Josie. She originally came for a three-week stay until her flat was ready but as things went ahead more rapidly than was expected she was only with us for one week. She is an Accountant and works in an office in Clerkenwell Road, which is the same road as M.I. Walters (my office cleaning job). During the week I didn't get too involved with her as she started off the week by telling me she was waiting for a flat and that she was thinking of sharing it with a `suitable person' if she found the up-keep too much, and after my previous experiences with various folk I didn't want to be the `suitable person' she was thinking of. However, on Friday night she knocked on my door at about 11.30pm and started to talk, the result being I was transported across the landing to her room to `watch the film' but in actual fact I didn't see much of it as she was chatting all the time - about her problems! I shall be glad when I change my glasses, as this pair obviously must remind people of Marjorie Proops! Anyway, I stayed with her until 1.00am and then went back to my room. She had told me she was leaving the next morning and just wanted to get to know me before she left. After breakfast the next morning we were still sitting round the table and chatting then Mrs Waddingham came in and said "Would you stand up a minute please Josie" - which she did, looking a wee bit surprised, and when Mrs Waddingham in that very serious and authoritative voice asked her to "jump up and down a few time" she looked even more puzzled, but nevertheless complied. After which Mrs Waddingham, still sounding perfectly normal and serious said, "It’s all right dear, I'm just checking for the silver". We all doubled up and head a good laugh and I asked her what she would do if I were leaving, to which she replied "Oh! I would put a metal detector over you".

Grace Russ - 21st February 1979