Smokingboot

Just the name, and a brief flash, like a vision, of either a huge wolf or a huge wolf's head right in my face.

It woke me. And then I heard the crashing of the refuse collection lorry up the road, q me racing out of the house to put our bin on the pavement, probably far too late. Bumped into a binman who was completely unphased to see an unkempt crazy woman in dressing gown and slippers hurtle towards him followed by the sound of a trundling wheelie.

'Have I missed you?' I said.

'You're all right,' he smiled, a nice genial face. 'Just leave it there.'

There's a kindness in people isn't there? Maybe it's Spring or maybe it's just that people are all right when they can be. Yesterday I had to go into town to find a mending place, cos my favourite trousers have split on a seam, and I've no gift for sewing at all. Took it to the lady with the sewing machine, she fixed it in less than a minute.

'How much do I owe you?' I said.
'Och, don't be silly,' she replied.
And it struck me; in London you'd have charged me for that. And perhaps you should. But I'm glad you didn't.

You'd not think it from the screams of the internet, but real life feels kinder this year. Come on 2023, give us a smile.

Also, I guess at some point, should find Evander, listen to the story he wants to tell me. Must remember not to chase him like a wolf.