December 2004
11/12/04 - So, here we are, Angelic night and no new outfit for the occasion. My wife had picked up a copy of Asda's Dec 2004 catalogue earlier in the week, and I'd spotted a cardigan, top, skirt and boots that really took my fancy.
So, Saturday morning while the family were out I phoned Asda's in Grantham (didn't want to use my local store as my wife works there) and asked if they had the outfit in stock - success, except for the boots.
Although Vanessa couldn't go with me, Christina had emailed me about a week before the event to ask if I was still up for going to Angelic. We'd corresponded a few months earlier, but her last email was a bit of a "bolt out of the blue", welcome nevertheless!
We arranged for me to meet her at her place, and then she would drive us to the Premier Lodge South, which is just a few miles from the Pink Punters venue.
With all this in mind I drove down to Grantham to pick-up my new outfit. The place was packed out, but Asda have a really good system whereby the clothes were put aside for me in my name when I called earlier, and all I had to do was collect them from the George department by asking at the counter.
Having said that, the queue was horrendous so I was a little delayed getting to Christina's. But once there I transferred my things to her vehicle and off we went.
As I was unable to get the boots from Asda's Grantham store, I asked Christina if we could stop off at the store in Leicester. The store is just next to junction 21 of the M1, which was the junction we were using to get onto the motorway so Christina was fine about it.
Christina parkedand I went in.
Shopping in male mode has always made me nervous and this time I decided to ask a female assistant, who was by the boots, if they had them in a size 7 for my wife. Yeah, OK we've all been there haven't we?
There were none on the shelves so the assistant kindly went off to see if there were any in stock. On her return she explained the catalogues were often "ahead" of the stores in terms of what was in stock and they hadn't received any yet.
While she was checking I had seen another pair, which looked gorgeous and really wanted. Unfortunately, having said they were for my wife I knew it would look strange if I said I wanted a completely different style.
In the end, when she got back I said, "Oh, bugger it, they're for me, do you have this pair in a 7?". She didn't comment, just grinned and found me the equivalent size, which is 41.
This has just confirmed to me that shopping as Rachel is so much more stress-free and enjoyable. Anyway, the boots were bought, and Christina and I carried on.
Now, while we were travelling down Christina filled me in on her family situation, and what she'd been upto since she'd had her debut as a debutant at Angelic in September.
She told me we'd met there although I couldn't recall this - to my embarrassment. But she had been wearing a different hairstyle. She'd sat with me and Vanessa and another girl who'd been chatting in the attic. Apparently I'd dissappeared off, and when I got back she'd gone.
Also, we were meeting two other girls, leanne and Francesca, at the Premier Lodge.
Since September Christina had been off to Manchester, been to a dressing service there ("Be who you want to be" - or something like that). And met Leanne and Francesca. Leanne had also blown the hinges off her closet quite recently.
BTW, the dressing service is run by an ex-member of Transformation staff who felt their prices were a bit OTT.
At leicester Forest East we got a call to say Leanne and Francesca were close by and we'd meet at Premier Lodge.
Meet up we did, and booked in. Once in our twin-bedded room we unpacked. I have to say for someone relatively new to going out Christina was certainly better organised than I'll ever be. What really impressed me was the suitcase on wheels, with the extendable handle - ooh, posh girl! And she had no qualms about carrying an armful of jackets and skirts with her into reception!
After that we went to the bar for a light meal, as we were both starving. This was definitely a family pub, with the lodge adjoining so I'm glad we ate in male mode. First drink of the evening, a so-called small glass of wine.
Back at the room I discovered Christina is a hellva lot quicker at getting ready than I am. Mind you, I had the mother of all shaving nicks right by the side of my mouth, which wouldn't stop bleeding!
I was getting quite upset about this, as it had never happened before. Christina suggested taking foundation and patching up once we'd got there. Good idea, even though I wasn't a happy bunny.
As the time for leaving extended itself due to my preparations Christina kept her cool, adjusted the taxi departure time with Leanne and Francesca, and finally booked the taxi when I looked as though I'd finally be ready - thank you hon!
The four of us eventually went down to reception to wait for the taxi which turned up almost straight away.
It wasn't long before we arrived at Pink Punters, just before 10pm, paid to get in, and discovered the place was nearly empty.
Undeterred, we went to the attic to order drinks whereupon I advised everyone to by "double" rounds coz they'd be a lot cheaper (was this my undoing?).
Sat up there, Joanna (Angels co-ordinator and webmistress) and her wife came in and we had a brief chat, shortly followed by Becky (Envérité).
Not long after that I saw Laura Handbag, I'd been dying to speak to her for months ever since I discovered we were about the same age and had a common interest in cycling. However, whilst mine is definitely passive these days Laura has been riding some quite gruelling two-day events.
Laura and I chatted for quite a while and agreed we'd keep in touch. Would love to spend a day shopping and eating out sometime, although being several hundred miles apart it may happen later rather than sooner.
Inevitably, our little group ended up on the dancefloor where I soon saw that Christina was in a completely different league to me as a dancer (she can dance and I can't!). Leanne and francesca weren't bad at it either.
So the night went on, we danced, had our piccies taken (I'll be asking if I can pinch them off the Club Angelic site) and drank some more.
Towards the end, a little trip on the dancefloor told me I'd probably had one too many, oops.
Not long after that we said our good byes and someone ordered a taxi, and we cooled off outside 'til it arrived.
Christina and I both collapsed fully clothed onto our respective beds. I woke up a little later, stripped off and climbed into bed and oblivion.
Christina must have done the same. Next morning, Leanne and Francesca were sat at table when we came down - Francesca had wanted to get dressed up again but Leanne told her they didn't have time - never mind, girl.
My head was a little tender, but the full breakfast went down well, along with plenty of coffee and juice.
After that we packed and said our goodbyes, exchanging mobile numbers - well, you never know, one day I may learn how to text!
The journey home was fairly quiet - probably a reflection of the state of my head. I stopped off for a cup of tea at Christina's, then we said our goodbyes, promising to get in touch in the New Year, once Christina's plans had been sorted out.
I headed off for the half-hour journey home, arriving shortly before 2pm.
Having been home for about ten minutes, the rest of the family came back from a trip to IKEA in Nottingham, and the first words from my wife were, "We saw Helena and Trevor in IKEA.", giving me a meaningful look.
To explain, my excuse to the children for being away is that I go to visit these two friends (who know about Rachel). Of course, my two daughters wanted to know why Helena and Trevor were in IKEA and where was I? My wife said that they must have left at the same time as I headed home. After that my youngest was sent round every corner in IKEA to make sure they didn't bump into our friends, the excuse my wife gave to the children was that she didn't have time to get dragged round IKEA by Helena!
Talk about "be sure your sins will find you out."!
17/12/04 - A local social gathering... (to be continued).
My god, I'd forgotten I was going to finish this... oops!
Well, it was the local Beaumont Society Christmas bash and about 25 people attended. The buffet and wine was excellent.
Vanessa was able to make it and the evening passed by all too quickly. Come midnight the glad rags had to come off, and by 1am I was on my way home.
I must admit to being a little wary of BS meetings on account of the rumoured predominance of twin-sets and pearls, but my fears were misplaced.
Yes, I'd go again.