Tuesday

Fireworks at Hayling.

Simon is still selling stuff, but now mainly theatrical ephemera. I remember our days when I was his shopgirl at Ally Pally where we had huge fun. Simon would slope off to do some buying, and I would man the stall. Then I would go and look around - found a wonderful fake Hermes scarf there which I adore - and we would sell stuff and share snacks all day. I really enjoyed selling there. Simon had some collectors who would tell him what they wanted and he would scout it out in his travels around the country. He specialised in 20th century ceramics. I remember plenty of very stylish sixties Fornasetti, some lovely glass, some Poole, and basically lots of great stuff.

Just back from meeting Madeleine in Chelsea. She certainly has a lot to deal with at the moment. We shall have to try doing something diverting some time soon. The Builder's Arms is a very pleasant pub and quiet early in the evening.

Had some pea and ham soup with home-made bread. Shall watch a programme about Nicky Haslam which will probably irritate me beyond belief. We shall see.

I hate to say this, but I did rather like Nicky Haslam. He was a cute little guy, and with the most enormous energy. I had always thought he was about 100, but seems he was born in 1939, making him about 69 or so.

Bed time.