Slithering

All that glitters is not gold
And even serpents shine
Ah, she got bitten then, she'll get bitten again
While I'm sitting here watching the tide come in

I’m cooking up a large pot of chicken soup for pudding night. While it simmers, I work on the book - rewriting bits - and even get as far as starting the second chapter.

Julie and Cheryl both cry off, but Hamish decides to come. Mike joins us as well. The hall is, as usual, mobbed. The usual soups are served and a vast array of puddings await enticingly.

Then it’s raffle time, tidy up, and go. Angus and Hamish leave early for Glasgow. Megan and Claire once it’s over. Then Mike and I head for a drachm, once the hall is tidied.

But Claire is back an hour or so later. Megan has only the Yale for her flat, but one of the boys has locked the mortice, so she’s locked out, and they’re all away for the weekend.

Megan goes to stay with a friend, but Claire comes home. It’ll be a short night’s sleep, because she needs to be in Largs by 9. Oh, well. The best laid plans ...