Love, Nina Read Online Free PDF Page A

like Highfields):
    AB: It can be nice, in the right place.
    Me: I don’t like it—it grows out of derelict houses.
    MK: Only if it has to.
    AB: It’s very attractive to butterflies.
    MK: ( to me ) There you go, butterflies like it.
    Me: But it grows out of cracks and guttering.
    MK: ( pleased ) Butterflies and squalor.
    Hope all’s well with you.
    Love, Nina
    *  *  *
    Dear Vic,
    Of course he’s the Alan Bennett. You’d know him if you saw him. He used to be in Coronation Street. He’s got a small nose and Yorkshire accent.
    He’s very nice. He says, “don’t be daft” etc. He’s getting quite famous now (probably more so than Jonathan Miller actually) but he’s not bothered about it. He’s very interested in history, but he’s rubbish on nature (like MK) although he is very outdoorsy and does like it (nature) for walks etc. (unlike MK).
    When he comes over for supper he does this tiny short doorbell ring, hardly a ring at all, he just touches the bell and it makes just the beginning of a ring. That’s him. Minimum fuss.
    Once, late at night, when I was on my own, I thought I could hear someone creeping around in the house (burglar or worse). I got myself so scared I rang AB and asked him to come over. He came over straightaway (his mac over his pajamas) holding his brolly. He had a good look around. There was no one. I was so embarrassed I almost wished there was. I said, “I feel such an idiot.” And he said, “Don’t be daft.”
    Love, Nina
    PS Everyone passes with Brown School of Motoring (BSM). Really, Mr. Brown has never had a fail. The thing about Mr. T is he’s on medication and he indicates right and left by HAND. I’ve seen him. You need someone with a normal, modern car (and techniques), not a Hillman.
    *  *  *
    Dear Vic,
    A man from Camden Council came round to notify us. He was only a bit older than me but acted very official and mature. He talked about “forthcoming essential street works” and gave us a typed page. He was formal and wouldn’t chat or be at all light-hearted (unlike the traffic warden the other day).
    MK: So, will there be digging?
    Young Man: A certain amount.
    MK: Machines?
    YM: I expect so.
    MK: Will it be noisy?
    YM: Do you go out to work during the day, madam?
    Me: Why? Are you about to offer her a job?
    YM: I’m not authorized to make appointments.
    Later at supper:
    Me: ( to AB ) Did a young man come to you?
    AB: Not today.
    Me: We had one to warn us of street works.
    AB: ( very interested, turns to MK for more ) Oh, what?
    MK: Some digging and stuff.
    AB: Why didn’t the young man come and warn me?
    Me: It’s not your side.
    AB: But things travel across.
    MK: Not the young man though, apparently.
    AB returned to the subject after pudding.
    AB: I can’t think what road works could be necessary.
    Me: It’s not road works , it’s street works ( I fetch the typed page ).
    AB: Oh, yes, it says here street works, you’re right.
    He never believes what I say—without proof.
    I remembered the wobbly slab that splashes and trips people (especially Mary-Kay).
    Me: Someone should’ve told the man about the wobbly slab.
    MK: ( hands up ) Yes! I thought that when he was here.
    Me: Why didn’t you mention it?
    MK: Enough was enough.
    Me: I’ll bring it up.
    AB: You can’t just lift paving stones willy-nilly.
    Me: I meant bring it up in conversation.
    Hope all well with you. Good luck with quiz. You might want to brush up on football and pop. They always ask about those. And about Mark Twain.
    Love, Nina
    *  *  *
    Dear Vic,
    Told MK about this under-the-sink cupboard bin thing they have where Pippa lives.
    Me: You open the cupboard door and the bin lid lifts off and you can just toss rubbish in and shut the door again.
    MK: ( seeming unimpressed ) Oh.
    Me: It’s really good.
    MK: How is it better than the one