I’ve written before about how some of my best friends are people I see in tiny, regular, bursts. The window cleaner, fishman, courier, postie, all great friends who I never meet without our ‘appointments’.  We’re on first name terms and I’ve known most of them more than 20 years.  We’ve shared family highs and lows, daily joys and disappointments, and sometimes a hug. (And hugs will return for those who need them.) 

Tom the Car texts me when he’s going to be in my neighbourhood and asks “does your car needing doing hon?”.  I take that treat about 3 times a year and his valeting prices have never changed in 20 years! Tom the Car, in all brutal honesty, is a heart attack waiting to happen. I suspect he smokes and drinks heavily, his breathing is laboured, he is a heavy build, his face often quite scarlet. I was worried about him during lockdown as I knew he could be strongly at risk should the pandemic reach his door.   

He sent me a couple of messages during lockdown. Checking in on me and letting me know he wouldn’t be out for a while. When things eased a little, he started working again, just mornings. He let me know he was back and we made a date to refresh my car. On the day, he rang the bell and, as I opened the door, we said at the very same time “hiya darlin!” and we both burst out laughing. It was so good to see him. He cheers me up just by caring and asking “how are you doin’ hon?”  

The days can be very trudgy at the moment and I’m so glad for pals like Tom the Car.

Love from

The room above the garage

A Moodscope member.