Whitby, wobbling, and a glass of fizz 🥂

I did my hamstring in while we were away for a few days in Whitby. It’s just another setback on my “leukaemia journey.” I did the same injury about 4 years ago, but it’s not as bad this time. Suffice to say I’m wobbling about like a geriatric but I’m fine. Anyway, I dropped my husband, my 15-year-old and his 15-year-old cousin off at Robin Hood’s Bay and set them the task of walking the 8 miles back to Whitby.

Meanwhile, me and my rubbish leg drove back to Whitby, attempted to park the car, scraped the car on a wall, consciously decided not to get emotionally involved in the calf or car injuries, and hobbled down the hill to a cafe. I had a cappuccino and a chocolate twist. I then further hobbled over the bridge, found a bar and ordered a glass of champagne. Now, I’m not a particularly fancy twat, OK I am a bit of one but it costs the same as a cocktail, has less booze in it and most positively of all, it goes straight to your head. All of these things, to me on a rubbish leg and rubbish driving day, felt important. So I sat outside the bar with my champagne, my big coat, my sunglasses and the lady on the next table asked, “Is that a champagne cocktail?”

“No, it’s neat champagne. I’ve only ever done this 3 times in my life. I’m 51.” I shut myself up. I didn’t need to go into justifying my life choices to prove I wasn’t a fancy twat to a stranger.

“How much was it?” asked the lady. I’m a buyer in my day job and so I’m used to talking about money and therefore didn’t find the question rude or abrupt.

“12 quid.” I grinned whilst playing my flat bat back.

“Right,” she said. “It’s my birthday. I’m getting one too”

“Ahhhh! Happy Birthday!” I beamed.

What ensued was the loveliest hour of friendship. We chatted about her husband’s art, how she used to be a carer for someone with Williams Syndrome like my eldest, we talked about fish and chips and which the best Whitby cafes were. I told her not to let on that it was champagne when my boys arrived. I thought expensive drinks with simultaneously scraped cars probably weren’t the best mix for a convivial evening. She left to catch the bus back to Scarborough. “Enjoy your fizz,” she winked as she walked away. “Thanks and have a lovely rest of your birthday!”

I didn’t even catch her name. Anyway, cheers! Here’s to girlfriends who always have our backs even when they’re strangers.

The code SPRING20 is giving 20% OFF everything on our website this week, even if it’s the few bits and bobs left on the clearance tab or the multi-packs of underwear. Hope you all have a lovely week.

X Deb