Leggings@60+com 17

Leggings 17.

"What would you do?" I asked, "If your ex-husband had a mistress years ago and she now lives next door to you?
"Cry!" said Phyliss busily cutting out the pattern she'd made. "Has she?"
"Not mine, silly," I replied sitting down on the stool feeling the leggings tighten around my thighs. "This woman down the road, she was about weeping with it! She's off to the Doctor's for some attention. Hope she doesn't end up on the ward."

"Poor cow!" said Phyliss with feeling, "Some men make you sick. How long ago were they married?"
"Over thirty years ago," I said, "She says there's even children in the neighbourhood that look like him. One of them accused her of being his Mother."
"She must feel as if she's round the bend."
"Not yet, just confused. She knows all her children and was able to establish that he wasn't at the surgery." I said quietly, "Otherwise it could have been much worse. The Prime Minister is right then about fathers who shoot it around, and then walk away."
"Worse than single parents anyday," agreed Phyliss, "At least they do look after their children. Often with hardly any money."
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She went over to the kitchen at the back of her workshop and brought back two half full mugs. "Tea!"
"Great! I prefer it!" I returned, hooking a finger through the handle and warming my hands.
"Do they talk to her?"
"Prefer to shout things at her through the wall. This morning salley was because she lost her job through retirement a few years ago, she could live in their shed at the bottom of the garden."
"With the fairies?" asked Phyliss interestedly, grinning.
"They have one of them in there already," I admitted, "We think. They keep on saying they are looking after her."
"What are they after?" asked Phyliss, "If she's really after a job, I could offer her a few hours here."
"A shop assistant?" I asked, "that she might appreciate, I don't know what she did before. Quiet woman worked at home."

"Give her my leaflet about designs and ask her to call about the job," she said passing me a small folded brochere. "It won't be much, yet it's a few hours away from all that."
"She isn't young!" I objected, because these things have to be said. With all the Ladies Triangle tirade against older women, it was Phyliss who might suffer.
"I want to know what they are after." said Phyliss resolutely, placing her cup on the side of the kitchen sink. "It's your turn to wash up by the way."
"Slave driver," I said and picked up my cup and went to the sink, "Hey you never said you had all this lot!"
The kitchen side was jam packed with dirty cups, saucers and plates, an old tiered cake stand with a mouldy cake or two leaned over half sideways. Knifes and forks and small tea spoons all stuck in a mug begged for attention.
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"I've been busy," said Phyliss amusedly, "Ever since Open Design Eve, I've had so many new orders for totally new designs for dates that are coming closer and closer, that I've not stopped. Hence I need new help. New slave!"
"How many new designs so far?" I asked, washing up the dishes.
"Three this week, I'm plumb tired out." she pointed out, "I was half way through two off the peg designs for the shop, as well. I sell them as limited editions. Only so many in the country. Brings in a decent income. Wonder if she can sew, or cut out?"

"I think I've seen her sew on an old machine," I hesitated, thinking, well it might have been her, or the one next door.
"Great, if she's about your age or older then its more likely she can." answered Phyliss happily. "I love people who can!"
"Young people can't?" I asked, wondering if it was true.
"It's the way they are brought up," responded Phyliss smoothly, "From the moment they are born everything provided. No attention to detail and all useful domestic tasks are renamed hobbies, because you can buy cheaper."
The washing up done I came back in and sat down to watch. No doubt about it, she was an expert.
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"Would she mind us talking about her?" asked Phyliss, "I mean I don't want to trip up at interview."
"I was there the other day when they were yelling at her in German and English," I said, "And today when she was telling half the neighbourhood about it on the street. I don't think she would mind you knowing."
"They keep on saying that they are looking after her?" questioned Phyliss, "That's also a Ladies Triangle tactic, means that they've managed to say either she's mentally ill, or learning disabled or just plain irresponsable. Might mean there is money involved. It's all about control when they do that. Is the ex still involved with the people next door?"

"Gees, Phyliss," I said my sense of comfort shot down, "Do they really do that?"
"Yes, if its profitable enough! Bastards most of 'em. If the ex has something he hasn't disclosed at time of divorce and doesn't want to give up, that might be it."
"You're worse than Sharon for conspiracy theory," I said trying to get it down to the level of gossip.
"Sharon is worse for the psychic stuff." snapped Phyliss, "Try and get a grip, Marrian, I'm not the one after the money."