Friends Etc.

I've been offered a job at the pub, and today's my first day! I've lent a hand a couple of times over the past couple of weeks, mainly so I could see if I was capable of working behind a bar. I must have done pretty well! They're giving me a permanent part-time job. It's just what I need while waiting for surgery because I don't think I could hold down anything full-time right now.

I'm considering a move after the surgery. My options are pretty much open. I don't have any family in this country apart from my kids, so I'm going to see what jobs are available somewhere else. I think I need to get out of Chesterfield. I have had nothing but bad luck since I've been here. Okay, not all bad luck, but I think that this is the time, while I'm still young enough to do it, to make a fresh start somewhere else. Malorie is hoping I will start looking down south so she can be close to her boyfriend. Hey, I'm willing to give it a try! I don't really have anything to lose. I have no house, seeing as how this is only temporary accommodation, and I have to be out of her by next March anyway. I can definitely say my luck with men in Chesterfield has been rotten! (No offence to my ex-husband Richard if he reads this!) But two of my ex-husbands are from Chesterfield, Rich is from Chesterfield, and the only other guy I've had a relationship with was from Chesterfield. He dumped me after three months.

I do have some friends down south, so it seems a good place to look. At least I know people there. And because Ricky and Jack will stay here, and I'd come up (or down if I were to find the perfect job opportunity somewhere north) for my weekends, I won't lose touch with my friends here either.

Last night one of my friends, Thom, called in for a coffee. We've known each other about three years now, mostly online. We did come face to face at the British Grand Prix in 2004, but I was too shy to say anything, and I think he had spent a lot of time in the beer tent, so he never even noticed me! His ex-wife lives not too far from me, and he brought his kids down from Scotland yesterday, so he called in for an hour or so. He's a great guy and a good laugh, and he's always been a good friend. He always will be, I hope!

I have two other friends coming this week! I don't think I've ever had so much company in since I've been in this house! Gary, who I've also known about three years online, is flying to Portugal to see his girlfriend Sara, and the two of them are coming to England on Tuesday. I'm going down to Stanstead Airport to meet them, and they're going to stay with me for a night or two (I don't remember exactly what their plans are!) I'm looking forward to getting to know Sara, and Gary has always been there when I needed someone to talk to, especially over the last few months.

And then next Friday I'm off to the Netherlands with Kate to see Diana! I haven't met Diana face to face yet either, but I know she's an absolutely lovely person. Kate has met her and said just that, but I already knew it from our chats.

Now I'm off to the pub to work during the England match. I like it there. Most of the customers are friends, too!