Living in hope ..

'YOU'RE TRYIN' TO BUY ME', he spat. As usual. Of course l was. What else is there.

I had this brilliant idea.

An official letter had arrived just after the year, to say I'd be getting a shed load of cash from a PPI thing from donkeys years ago. I'm going to sort bits in my house, including painting everywhere, inside and out. Well, big Andy's a wizard with a paint brush. I sent him a couple of txt messages, no reply of course, so l posted a few quid to him, as a part-payment for the work in the house. Yeh, right ..

I haven't seen accident Andy since last summer, remember he ran off and l couldn't get any response from him? He's the man with the PTSD, after that car accident l told you about. We would be married, if that creature hadn't invaded his brain. I have to tread carefully, so l don't upset him. I rang his number. I remembered it. I had deleted it.

'What d'yu want, Denise ..'

I have to be all friendly, business-like, or he'll get angry. Angrier, l mean.

'Did you have a chance to think about that wee bit of DIY l need done, Andy?'

'FUR FUCKS SAKE. YOU DAFT OR WHAT?! A CANNY FINK, NEVER MIND FUCKIN' ORGANIZE YOUR HOOSE. STOAP ASKIN' ME ..'

Oh boy, okay ..

'Well, l've been having a good few painters here to see if they'd be suitable for all the painting l need. You know how hard it is to find a decent workman'. That's a big, fat lie! There's loads of great folk to do the work, but l thought Andy could do with the dough, as he's still unemployed, unemployable actually, and l am desperately worried about him.

'Look. A dinny mean ti snarl at yi, bu' am no able. A canny. Am no keepin' that cash you sent. Thankyouverymuch, bu' it's goin' back. Am no a fuckin' chari'i case, ken ..'

Here we go. Usual. Nuthin's changed. This is goin' to be tricky. I must have a think and see how l can go about this one.

I promise you two things now, ok?

1. I will definately get him to my bloomin' house and see he gets a bit of confidence back.

2. I'll let you know how it all goes.

Wish me luck, won't you!?

Pal Dee ..