Hundred and Thirty Four

'Oh Elliot it's so nice to sit here in the sunshine and talk to you. You have no idea. I've had the worst week'.
'Why was that?'
'Simon, my boss, was in a foul mood every day all day. He didn't stop going on about the spending cuts and how George Osborne is being unfair to the top earners. The top earners! I wouldn't mind if he was worried about the poor but no, he's just concerned about himself. He has more money than he knows what to do with. He's always flying off to exotic far-flung places - the Maldives or the Seychelles or wherever and he drives a Porsche so, you know, I don't feel sorry for him. He was supposed to be getting married at the end of next month but something's happened and they've delayed the wedding although I don't think it's going to happen at all now since he's stopped taking phone calls from Stephanie, his fiancee'.
'Oh dear'.
'It's always the same. His relationships never last. But he'll have found a new girlfriend in a couple of months because he always does'.


Just because you've got a surname doesn't mean you know more about things than me.
'I never said it did George'.
No but I'm just telling you.
'A surname doesn't mean anything. It really doesn't'.
I know. That's what I'm telling you Ms Fields.
So why do you keep calling me Ms Fields then? I prefer just Ruthie.
Well it's easy for you to prefer just Ruthie when you've got a surname.
'I think you've got a bit of a chip on your shoulder George'.
No because I almost definitely have a surname too, as you well know. I just don't happen to know what it is because of my humble history as a Battersea dog.
'George I want to show you something. Follow me'.


'Philippa it may be a little premature but it is my birthday in a couple of weeks time and I wondered if you and George and Terry and Freddie would like to join Ruthie and I for tea and cake at my favourite little coffee house'.
'Where's that?'
'Patisserie Valerie in Soho. I'm having a soiree with my old friends the evening before my birthday but I would like to invite my delightful new friends to celebrate with me on the day, if you would like'.
'I would love to Elliot! I'm looking forward to it already!'
'Splendid. Then I will make a reservation for three people and three dogs and we will take afternoon tea together. Will you be seeing Terry?'
'Yes he's ill. George and I are popping round later to take him some soup and walk Freddie so I'll speak to him about it'.
'Good. But no presents OK? I'm too old for all of that. I don't need anything anymore except good company'.


'Look George!'
What?
'That's it'.
A ball of wool? How did it get here?
'Someone must have dropped it'.
It's probably from the wool shop in Camden Passage. Pips and I were in there yester/ what are you doing?
'Take this end George'.
That's a terrific idea Ms Fields! You take one end and I can take the other and/
'I'm just going to...'.
What? What are you...?
'Bring it around here...'
Where? What are you/
'Over here'.
But...
'I'm going to wrap you in it'.
But no... wait, that tickles Ms Fi/.... no it tickles!
'See?'
But no it tick/ No Ruthie no!
'Hah! Got you!'
What?
'You called me Ruthie'.
No I didn't.
'Yes you did'.
It was an accident.


'I don't get into town as much as I used to. My legs don't carry me as far as they once did. I'm a little slow for Ruthie now'.
'Oh I'm sure she doesn't mind'.
'My wife Grace loved walking. They used to walk together across Hampstead Heath/ Oh look who's coming. At least I think...'
'George?'
'My goodness. Is he wearing the new season's fashion or is my eyesight getting worse?'
Look Pips! PIPS! PIPS! Look at me! I'm walking like an Egyptian!