Sunday, June 17, 2012

This will be worth a fortune .

Saturday afternoon . A week before the house fills up for the summer. The electricians arrive unannounced at four o'clock . " Bonjour M'Ongoose. We haven't forgotten you " says the more senior of the two with unbridled cheerfulness . For a brief moment Angus thinks of pointing out that they'd promised faithfully to be here in March . They repair a security light, adjust a chandelier and hang two lamps in the snug . At five, on the dot, they quietly disappear . They leave a box of tools and a ladder in the upstairs hallway . Angus takes this as a sign that they will reappear on Monday morning to finish off all the other jobs. ' The font ' is less sure.


The garden furniture from Italy is due to be delivered at lunchtime. The phone goes at two. '' Excuse me Signor but our truck has broken down. A million apologies but can we come next week ? " . Angus , recognizing that ' can we come next week ' is  Italian shorthand  for  ' we'll be with you sometime after the summer ' , says no. He needs the furniture now . The phone doesn't ring again . Angus resigns himself to a summer without the garden furniture .  Ten thirty at night the doorbell rings . A very battered white van in the courtyard. The furniture unloaded by the glow of the newly repaired security light. The driver announces he has another delivery tonight . " Where ? " I ask . ' In Bordeaux ' comes the reply. '' That's two hours away ". The driver shrugs his shoulders and hurtles through the gates. Angus wonders how happy the next client will be at getting a delivery of furniture after midnight .
Sunday morning .On the other side of the lane a very large and very battered and very orange truck has made an appearance in the old farmers driveway . It is parked at right angles to the ancient motorhome with its non-matching chintz curtains . Impossible to miss. The old farmer , resplendent in string vest, baseball cap , voluminous ex-army shorts and tartan slippers , is stroking the leviathans  rear mud guard . '' This will be worth a fortune when it's restored " he shouts out by way of greeting and explanation . Angus smiles .

26 comments:

  1. I would pick the worst possible day next week for the electricians to come, and that will be the day they'll return--If not, they've left the ladder and tools, maybe they're hoping you'll do the jobs for them. :-)

    Enjoy your Sunday!

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  2. Seems to me I recall that "worth
    a fortune" prediction also applied
    to the ancient Mercedes."

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  3. My guess is the electricians left their tools behind just to make a point. What that point is is anyone's guess. Sounds like you have a busy and interesting summer ahead!

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  4. Definitely hold the ladder and tools hostage!

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  5. Your only hope is that they will need the ladder and you can hijack them when they come looking for it !!

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  6. Great post, chuckling!

    What a pretty chandelier!

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  7. Books! I bought a used book yesterday, crime!

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  8. Best to get them whilst you can. The Songwriter, who was writing at the time, turned away the termite inspector when he came by unannounced. It was a year before he returned.

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  9. The books get me every time - what a lovely library, with or without electricians.

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  10. Never a dull day at your home. :) No wonder your blog is so much fun to read, except when you write about a lost, then I have found tears flowing.
    Hope every thing will be fixed before your guest arrive or family. I am sure no one will care, they came to visit you and " the font" not look at the house.
    Let us know how it turns out next week.

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  11. Worth a fortune? Hmmm. We believe we've heard that somewhere before.
    Was additional light for the late night delivery provided by the old farmer's Christmas star?

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  12. this is quietly, sadly, insanely hilarious!
    do i see the ghosts of two tiny white bears
    playing rug frisbee in the hallway?

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    Replies
    1. tammy. it was rug surfing.
      oh those sweetest boys!

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    2. I saw those rugs and thought of the boys too! Very sad.

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  13. Perhaps, in the USA, Japan & England one can expect service people to turn up at the appointed hour. I don't think this happens anywhere else on Earth. Just be happy it happened, even at 10PM. Anyway, life is more fun when you always have a surprise awaiting you, don't you think? Lovely story. xx's

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  14. When the electricians leave their tools at your house, they are telling you while they are not working there, neither are they working elsewhere!

    Jo

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  15. Life continues to be an adventure there! What's around the next bend, what's going on across the road, and what's that pulling up in my driveway at this unheard of hour....lol...do NOT stub your toe on the ladder...not a good thought...Love the pics of the house...May your workers come back, and your days be cooler....

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  16. A friend came over and we discussed the Hoarders type shows and how a lot of those people on the show have tons of rusty vehicles and always say "I'm going to restore them and they will be worth fortune some day"
    Lovely light fixtures. Your home looks magnificent and very welcoming.

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  17. Well your electrician does at least have an excellent memory.

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  18. We're hoping the new garden furniture is at least, not damaged!

    XXXOOO Daisy, Bella & Roxy

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  19. Well, all I can say - a happy issue out of all your afflictions!

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  20. This is so hilarious...10.30pm for furniture delivery is just too funny...at least they understood that you needed the furniture now......how much do you tip at that time of the night?..hearty chuckle.
    Always remember that electricians and service people always have two or three sets of tools and ladders, so they can afford to leave them on the job "as a sign that they will return soon." This gives us false hope, (especially when they have already started the job), and I have learned my lesson in the past...
    Care to make a wager? Monday in another three months????
    Love,
    Virginia

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  21. This is so hilarious...10.30pm for furniture delivery is just too funny...at least they understood that you needed the furniture now......how much do you tip at that time of the night?..hearty chuckle.
    Always remember that electricians and service people always have two or three sets of tools and ladders, so they can afford to leave them on the job "as a sign that they will return soon." This gives us false hope, (especially when they have already started the job), and I have learned my lesson in the past...
    Care to make a wager? Monday in another three months????
    Love,
    Virginia

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  22. Remember when the boyz used to enjoy sliding on those rugs?

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  23. WOW. Next time I have to wait three days for a repair here in Illinois I will not complain...as much

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  24. It's amazing that anything gets done in France, based on your stories of electricians and delivery people. I'm glad that you've learned the "lingo" of workers so at least you received your garden furniture before winter.

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