We popped into Waitrose today to pick up our shop, click and collect. There were two substitute items which we did not want to accept so we rejected them. Luckily I found the items in store, which begs the question why were they substituted? …also some of the lead dates were very short…I let that go and sorry I am digressing.
We packed the shopping and left. Hubby pointed out that they had given us a bunch of ( sad looking Daffs)…they had too many and so they gave us some. I said they look a tad sad I shall get a couple of bunches to cheer the up.
I went back into the shop and bought two bunches! The lady who took my money said “I put a bunch in your shop just now”
“Yes” I smiled, “good sales tactics. You give me a little bunch and I buy two more so they will make a good show!”
“You can’t sit there that is Bill Bailey’s seat” I saw my poor mother’s face blanch that awful Bill Bailey had obviously graduated out of the house and was now on the 55 bus with us on the way to Chiswick!
I was eight years younger than my next brother and then the twins were ten years older and the other two remaining girls were twelve and fourteen years older, so I was, in most respects like an only child. This meant I had to amuse myself a lot. And I did. I had a huge imagination I loved making up stories and playing with my Teddy Jingles and my Rabbit Ozzie, not forgetting Bill the Badger who was a one eyed, one eared and one legged Badger….. mind you he was brown not the usual white and black of a real Badger .
Mum was nonplussed when Bill Bailey arrived he did not come alone he brought his not so nice partner Cutty Saka , don’t ask me where I got the names from esp Cutty Saka , Bill Bailey could of come from the song. I think they must of arrived very early in my life as I seem to always remember them throughout my early and middle childhood. They were there for me from when I woke up until I fell asleep and sometimes they populated my dreams. They were different and distinguishable from my three favourite toys ….. they were real.
It was usually just me and Bill Bailey , we would draw or paint together, we would dance and play with my toys in the garden, when I got a little older we would dance or make play houses on the crescent outside our house. I think I must of been about five by the time he started to venture out with us, poor mum she had a lot to contend with she must of been in her fifties having brought up a big family and contended with poor health to end up with an ‘unusual ‘ child with a vivid imagination populated with two strange characters!
Why have you not tidied up that mess, why have you not eaten your dinner, who spilt that drink , who broke that vase …… Bill Bailey, who else?
As a child I was bullied at school and Bill Bailey was a great comfort to have in my corner , Cutty Saka was good too but if I took her advice I always ended up in trouble. I did get into hot water too with Bill Baily ( he was always Bill Bailey never Bill) sometimes mum , dad or even my brothers and sisters would scold me if Bill Bailey turned up at a time that was embarrassing to them! On the whole though everyone was accommodating of him and Cutty Saka .
Would Bill Bailey like some beans on his toast, could Bill Bailey move up so I can sit down, I think it is time you and Bill Bailey headed up to bed!
I am not sure really when Bill finally went for good ( maybe he is still around but keeps his council) but by the time I was old enough to be spending time with my cousin Lindy he must of thought he’d buzz off while she was around .
He still was there while I was at school.I am very grateful to Bill Bailey he helped me through my childhood and I love him and Cutty Saka for that , I think they made me who I am.Bill Bailey and Cutty Saka may be gone but I still have Jingles and Ozzie they are upstairs as we speak!…. Sadly I don’t know where Bill the Badger went.
If you are wondering what Ozzieb is wearing, it’s one of my dad’s old socks… it must getting on for well over 60 odd years old… Ozzie was dressed in a blue suit but it got worn so dad made him a suit out of one of his old socks…and he’s still wearing it. (Ozzie not my dad )!
willowdot21 