It was going so well yesterday. Spend a lovely afternoon on the sofa with H watching crime dramas. We got engrossed in a 2 hour programme with a very complicated plot that needed a lot of concentration. We both remarked afterwards that more of this sort of escape is required. So it was agreed that in future we will cancel the time set aside for emotional discussion and replace it with more crime dramas. Emergency emotional discussion still available 24 hours a day. Go up to bed. We're going to get through this we tell each other, it's all going to be fine. Snuggle up and both fall straight asleep.
Before I go on any further with the story I had better explain a few overnight rules that H and M have established over the years so we don't interrupt each others sleep. They work fine for us but may potentially sound just a little bit odd to anyone we don't know. They go as follows: If requiring bathroom please use torch, only flush if necessary, and creep back into bed as quietly as possible. It is perfectly acceptable for H to be stargazing out of the bedroom window in the middle of the night, which now and then may require going out into the garden. M is completely understanding because she has a night time activity called checking the tennis scores, that sometimes requires running downstairs to watch a tiebreak.
2am. M awakes at because main bedroom light is on. Only allowed in case of problem. M relieved to discover H is fine. H must have forgotten the lights rule but M understands. It's been a difficult few days and how lovely to see H at the window with a pair of binoculars. First sign of us returning to some sort of normality. M must provide support and encouragement. M finds glasses, dressing gown and slippers and joins H at window. M tries to express interest in some sort of planetary alignment. H excited at potential sighting of Space Station, needs to check website urgently. M fetches laptop. False alarm, probably just a plane.
3am. M finally drifting back to sleep when prodded awake by H. Emergency emotional discussion situation. H poses at least 20 questions, all reassuringly repeatedly answered by M with the reply "it's all in the purple folder".
4am. M woken up again by H with urgent concerns regarding finances. M explains already all identified. Some already sorted, rest on to do list for later in week in order of priority. M hugs H and reminds him that he was provided with a notebook to write down this sort of query in. M also reminds H that they both need their sleep.
4.30am. Prod. Urgent question from H. Really important we get to bank asap. Why can't we go tomorrow? M tells H that tomorrow has been fully assigned to "sort the car out". Bank will follow in a day or two. M showing first signs of exasperation and annoyance.
5am. Prod. H knows M aware there is hardly any petrol in fuel tank and back tyre has slow puncture, but he's just remembered something really important. Does M realise that the insurance renewal, MOT and service are due any day now and it didn't get done last week? M replies snappily that she is fully aware and that is why the entire day is set aside for the task "sort the car out". M warns H not to dare wake her again unless house is on fire.
The 5.30am prod was the final straw. I'm not going to share any further details about the heated argument that went on and on until the clock alarm went off this morning. That remains private. However, when H gets back from the garage I'll be able to tell him that yes there is a bus between here and the hospital, timetable has been emailed to him, yes I can use my bus pass, and it will only cost him £3 each way, payable by contactless debit card, no cash accepted.
I know H was very sorry this morning because he said I could play whatever music I wanted on his stereo system for the entire day. A rare treat. I'll probably include "It's one of those nights". Come and say hello if you love the singer as much as I do.
