It's Only Temporary Read Online Free PDF

furnished and my new accommodation was not.
    I spent one final night in the rooms which had been my home for the past twelve years. The porters had left me a large number of packing cases and I forlornly filled them with all of the possessions that would not be coming with me. These would go into storage for the time being, I had two suit cases and a rucksack which took the rest of my clothes and other essential items.
    Now I had to face to potentially excruciating experience of my “leaving do”. It was tradition at Luci when staff left for their colleagues to either arrange a night out to a restaurant or local hostelry. Failing that was the cringe worthy “surprise” party that was in fact no surprise what so ever. As none of my colleagues or students had arranged a night out I was certain that they would be waiting with fake cheer to wish me well. Although the whole experience would be unpleasant it at least enabled me to avoid the further humiliation of being unable to buy myself or anyone else a drink, let alone pay for a meal. Also I would be able to make my excuses and leave as soon as possible.
    So I made my final trip to my office, I was aware that it was in darkness and felt that perhaps they were taking the whole surprise thing a little too far. As I entered I braced myself to appear shocked and then give my most magnanimous smile whilst reassuring everyone, least of all Robert that I had multiple options open to me. All of which offered me the chance to make my mark academically.
    I turned on the light to see that the room was empty, now I was sure they were over playing this. A game of hide and seek was not something I had anticipated but would play along for the sake of appearances. Having opened the office cupboard door to find no one in there I did a quick search of the corridor and adjacent offices, all were empty.
    In the corridor I encountered the janitor who was mopping the floor; I had no idea what his name was.
    ‘Hello there’ I said.
    No response, he just kept his head down and focussed on the mopping. Was this part of the ruse?
    ‘Hello?’ I said again.
    Nothing, I tapped him on the arm and he screamed.
    ‘Jesus!’ he shouted pulling off his head phones. ‘You scared the life out of me mate.’
    ‘Sorry. Listen between you and I can you tell me where they are?’
    ‘Where who is?’
    ‘The staff, probably some students as well. For the party?’
    ‘Party?’
    Oh dear yet another conversation with the terminally unintelligent loomed.
    ‘Yes my leaving party. It’s supposed to be a surprise.’
    ‘Surprise?’
    ‘Yes.’
    ‘Don’t know nothing about no surprise. No one told me, you lot are supposed to ask before you do anything like this. No one ever does though and muggins here has to clean up after you. I’ve already mopped the floor!’
    Evidently it seemed that despite his tirade against the academic staff he actually had no idea that there was a party. If he had cleaned the building then surely he would have seen them.
    At that moment Peter walked in, Peter was a tutor in general history a catch all syllabus for those who did not have the intellect to specialize. Surely he was here to collect me? I just needed to play along and be magnanimous.
    ‘Hello Peter.’ I said smiling at him.
    He looked up as if he was surprised I had spoken to him, actually it was probably the first time I had. It certainly was the first time I could recall, what a strange choice my colleagues had made for an escort.
    ‘Oh, err, hello. Errm Marcus isn’t it?’
    I managed to suppress a smile; he was very good at this. Maybe he should have taught Drama?
    ‘Yes, are you looking for me?’
    ‘Err, no actually. I had forgotten this.’ He said holding up an umbrella.
    If this was all part of the rouse I was interested to find out how he intended to proceed.
    ‘Actually I thought you had left,’ he continued.
    Clever! What a subtle way to get me engaged in a conversation about a leaving party. I wo