by Christine Bennett

Created on: February 09, 2008

AT HOME WITH SHEILA AND NORMAN

"Hello there, I'm Norman."

"Oh Hello, my name's Sheila."

"Did you arrive today, or did you creep in late last night?"

"I came in just after breakfast, my daughter brought me in the car."

"Well welcome to the clan, it's nice to see a new face around here."

"How long have you been here then?"

"Me, oh now then let me see, about 3 years, I think it must be now. I remember it was a beautiful sunny day, just like today."

"It's not sunny, you silly old fool, it's pouring with rain, just look out the window,"

"Well it was a sunny day when I came in here, because I was free of all the arguing at last, and today has got to be one of the sunniest days of my life."

"Oh dear, who was arguing?"

"Well, you see Sheila, I can call you Sheila can't I?"

"Yes of course you can."

"You see, my son and daughter in law were always arguing about me.

They thought I didn't hear them, but I did. At first it was just little things, but then everything I did or perhaps didn't do, just seemed to start them of again. I knew really they just wanted their privacy back.
When I came in here I didn't have to listen to them anymore. I know they tried their best, but I suppose I wasn't the easiest of people to look after."

"Yes I know what you mean, my daughter tried her best too, but I'm not so good anymore, I keep forgetting things, and you know I almost burnt the house down once."

"I can't imagine you doing that, but I'm sure you meant well, whatever you were doing. Hey, come on now, don't cry, you'll be okay in here, it's not so bad once you get used to everyone"

"I was only trying to help, she worked so hard, I just thought I'd start the dinner for her, but I fell to sleep and I'd left the frying pan on with the chops in it. The place smelled awful for days.
I know I'm just being silly, but I feel so useless, I used to be such a good cook, I can't even do that now, I'm just a useless worn out old lady, I'm no good for anything anymore,"

"Now that's not true is it?"

"Well what am I good for then?"

"Oh I reckon you can still do a few things, like talk to a silly old fool like me and keep me company."

"Yes, I guess so, two silly old fools together I suppose."

"Tell me about yourself then Sheila."

"What do want to know?"

"Well where did you live, what do like doing? You know, anything."

"Well I grew up in a place called Thurmaston, in Leicester, and when I left school I became a Teacher, but then the War happened and I went to work in a munitions factory for a while."

"Did you marry a soldier

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>