A story re-told from a different angle

Clare and Ann went to the spa for a swim Monday morning. I did the weekly grocery shopping and prepared lunch. Then, I rang Jacquie the patient care coordinator to see if there was any news about my next surgical pre-op appointment, as it's due around half term week. We'd like to take a holiday when it's Clare's school half term, so it was worth checking in case a date clash arises. We wouldn't want to cause any further delay in this long process. So far, Jacquie said she could see nothing in the surgeons' diary, but she promised to enquire and get back to me tomorrow. It rained intermittently, but cleared enough to go for a walk before supper without getting soaked. 

Ann returned by train to Felixstowe this morning. I'm looking forward to us visiting her for the last time in the family home in Kirton before she moves into a smaller more manageable house in Felixstowe. The Parish interregnum ends with the induction of our new Team Rector Frances Wilson on October 22nd. Then Emma goes on maternity leave, so there may be more local calls on my time after that, but I am determined to take time out, and get away from Cardiff, both to East Anglia and further afield, if opportunity presents itself. But plans remain on hold. Jacquie called again to say that the surgeon's secretary is meeting Mrs Cornish to plan dates tomorrow. 

A request came in from Emma to take a funeral at St John's a week today. It's two months since I last had one, rather a long time compared to the usual demand, often threatening to overwhelm the clergy in a populous parish like Canton. Apparently there's been an unusual dip in the Summer death rate, accounting for this, and it's meant less work for some funeral company employees as well.

Ann left me a copy of John Le Carre's recent book 'A Legacy of Spies' to read. It's a reprise of the tale he told half a century ago in 'The Man who came in from the Cold', featuring some of the key players in his spy-catching masterpiece 'Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy', but all looked at from the perspective of participant Peter Guillam, now retired and in his eighties. This time the tragic events of the original book are examined in the context of secret service politics and internal bureaucracy. Fascinating and enjoyable to read.