Advanced Driving

We had errands to run yesterday, one of which found us parked up on Church Street in Oldham- which is narrow and cobbled and a dead end. In order to leave we had to turn the car round in the very little space available. I offered to step out and give directions, but Ailz said, "No," quite sharply- then explained that the exercise was giving her a feel for the new car.  "You're actually enjoying this, aren't you?" I said.  And she said, "Yes."  I wasn't. Nor was the guy on the pavement we kept mounting who had chosen this quiet corner of town to make his very important phone call. We needn't have worried. Ailz is a very good driver indeed.  

I took driving lessons once. They dragged on week after week, but I never could figure out what all those pedals are for.  The truth is the lessons weren't my idea and I didn't really want to learn. I was telling Odi this and she said it was entirely typical of me- that I'm as stubborn as all hell- and I was surprised to find she knows me so well.

Books I've Owned Since I was A Kid. Part 10.

I don't remember being given this book- and there's a scribble inside that looks like the work of a baby, so I'm going to suggest I've had it since I was very small. There's no publication date. Someone- possibly my mother- has written a telephone number on the back cover- Worthing 2753. Who did we know who lived in Worthing? My grandmother perhaps- briefly. Or it could have been a holiday rental.