On the eve of Maggi’s birthday, Lynda and Dave had arrived in town. Maggi met them at the Coach Makers Arms in Marylebone Lane, before they all arrived back at home. We had a pleasant chatty evening with them until Maggi insisted we all watch the first episode of The Morning Show. Not a good idea from anyone’s point of view. Lynda kept dropping off to sleep and snoring, Dave looked bored out of his mind and I had a lot more interesting things to do. Why do Maggi’s enthusiasms overtake her sensibilities?
The next morning Maggi cooked breakfast for everyone except me. My weight at 168 lbs is still too high. After driving Lynda & Dave to Rayners Lane tube I drove on a little and walked to South Ruislip and back. Maggi had received a stack of cards and presents. People obviously enjoy her enthusiasms.
The only disappointing present (from Maggi’s point of view) came from Helen Lewis. A jam jar with bits of paper inside, printed with statements about mindfulness. Why Helen could ever have thought anyone would be happy to receive such a load of garbage I don’t know. It really shows a terrible character trait in her.
In the evening Maggi had agreed to meet Susie, Kay & Ian and Sarah & Euan at Côte in Watford. We had celebrated a birthday there before and then I had sat next to Euan all night. What a horrendous experience that was. This time I nudged him to sit as far away as possible and he accepted the hint.
The restaurant was very noisy and I was sitting between Maggi and Susie so spent my time mostly talking to Susie. Every now and then I could hear Euan bleating on about lefties and how they are destroying the world. How he has changed his tune. In his younger days he was quite radical. As soon as he had a little money to hang on to he was become unbelievably right-wing believing all Brexit and Conservative propaganda.
The food was very poor and for the quality very expensive. I had no alcohol and just a hamburger and my share of the bill was £40. Didn’t seem quite fair, but you have to take the rough with the smooth. We arrived at 7;30 and I was glad to be leaving at 10.