The Party

“How ‘bout a party?" Mrs Sims suddenly said to her husband.
“When?” he asked.

“This weekend, plenty of time to get my hair done and push the furniture back,” before Mr Sims could answer Mrs Sims had made her mind up “that's settled then I’ll let everyone know”.

By Saturday they were ready Mrs Sims had been to the hairdresser the day before so she slept in the armchair all night to keep her set in. The furniture had been pushed back, carpet rolled up, radiogram and records ready to go. All the neighbours would bring food and drink so all Mrs Sims had to do was make a large plate of bread and dripping.
As the guests arrived they told Mrs Sims how lovely she looked she remarked that she had often been mistaken for a young ginger Rogers. When Margo and Sidney arrived with their daughter Jane they had also brought their neighbours with them.
“Hello mum this is Nisam, Myrtle and their son Joshua, we had been invited to thiers to watch their holiday cinnie film but we thought this would be more fun”. They went to their neighbours every year for a small sherry and a showing of fifty pictures of Nisam, Myrtle or Joshua standing by the same landmarks as the year before.
Jane wasn’t pleased to have Joshua there, the two lots of parents were trying to get them together but a boy in a shirt, tie and tank top worn with long shorts, socks and sandals was not her idea of manly.
More neighbours arrived with plates of sandwiches and bottles of drink, the room was filling up, Mrs Sims opened the door to Jean and Eddie's friends Freddie and Maureen.
“Come in love take your hat off “said Mrs Sims to Maureen
“This is my new lavender rinse Mrs. Sims “.
"Oh very nice “replied Mrs. Sims.
“Perhaps I should of gone to your hairdresser Mrs. Sims”.
“Oh they don’t work miracles darling" she called as she disappeared into the party.
All the family and neighbours were enjoying themselves singing and dancing while Margo stood in the corner talking to Myrtle as she told her about a patient at the hospital where she worked Margo covered Joshua’s ears and mouthed the words
“The poor woman’s had it all taken away”.
Joshua raised his eyebrows and thought what’s with all the secrecy the balifs’ were in our street all the time. Myrtle had come over bad and had to have another small sherry, one too many as she ended up face down in the trifle.
"A little too much excitement” said Nisam.
Gerald and his friend bill rushed over to help, they had met at first aid classes.
“Let us through we have medical training”
As Gerald took myrtles pulse bill bent down to help but as he did his hair piece moved forward the rest of the guest's pretended not to notice. Gerald declared myrtle drunk and as they stood up Mrs Sims said "thankyou wiggy."
Bill left the party with the Cohen’s and when the door closed every one let out the laughter they had been holding in after Mrs. Sims comment.

The Visit

Margo and Sidney sat in the cafe on the high road chatting on the warm summer’s day when the door opened and in came sister Jupp. Margo worked with her at the hospital and considered herself a good friend. Margo jumped from her chair and practically curtsied to sister Jupp. “OOH ‘ello  sister Jupp how nice to see you, this is my ‘usband Sidney “.

Sister Jupp pursed her lips and said please to meet you Sidney and as Margo turned around wearing her best smile she saw that Sidney had removed his shoe and was examining the hole in his sock, Margo’s smile turned to disgust and swiftly hit Sidney around the head with her hand bag. When they got up to leave Sidney couldn’t resist pinching sister Jupp’s bottom, he winked at the girl behind the counter and she called after them "see you again soon best entertainment I’ve had in ages". They made their way along the high road to Margo’s mum’s they had been invited to tea to meet her brother Eddie’s new girl friend.

Eddie had told his mum that jean would be visiting and to be on her best behaviour. Jean walked along checking the door numbers, right I’m here she thought I hope they like me. Jean knocked on the door , it opened but nobody seemed to be there “come in love” called a voice, Jean went in and saw Mrs. Sims in the kitchen, she was wearing an apron and her blonde hair was in rollers underneath a scarf turban, she was smoking a cigarette  whilst washing the floor dropping the ash as she went. Eddie came down the stairs “come into the lounge Jean and meet the others". Mr Sims was sitting in the armchair rolling a cigarette wearing his best vest, and Gerald a quiet boy who always had his dog with him was wearing his nurses uniform partly because he had heard so much about sister Jupp he too wanted to be a nurse but mostly because he thought Jean may need medical attention after meeting the Sims. “coffee dear “ asked Mrs. Sims , her husband looked up from rolling his cigarette and said “thought that was for special occasions” take no notice we often have coffee on Saturdays" Mrs. Sims replied looking at Jean. She returned with the coffee for Jean as she took it from her she took a sip it had a strange taste for coffee as Mrs. Sims saw Jeans face she said “oh sorry that’s an onion from last night were a bit short on saucepans ". There was a rat a tat on the door everyone looked at each other “don’t worry” said Mrs. Sims “it’s only Margo, I told her to do the special knock , we couldn’t have jean hiding behind the settee from the tally man on her first visit”. Margo and Sidney came in and Sidney relayed the story about sister Jupp in the cafe. Gerald felt forlorn he would have to think about a new career maybe a ballet dancer instead of a nurse. Gerald  danced his way into the kitchen pirouette style were his mum was washing the lettuce he pointed out to her that she had washed the floor with that water , but Mrs. Sims said it was ok as it had disinfectant in it , as her ash dropped into the water. They all sat down to a clean tasting salad Eddie sat looking at Jean wondering if he would see her again and Jean was thinking maybe she should of worn her mums fur boots with her summer dress just to fit in. Jean left that day thinking that Eddie could be the one.