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Bobby and I and what happened. Chapter 6: Quarrel with Bobby |
After another skirmish with Bobby we met, and I asked her if she would like to go to an exhibition. We arranged to meet up outside
High Street Kensington tube station. When I arrived this time Bobby was there and she looked awful.
She wore a very short miniskirt and slingback stilettos which were too big. Her hair looked as if she had been dragged through a hedge backwards and the make up was terrible. I couldn’t believe my eyes.
Everyone on the street stared at us. We’ll walk to Notting Hill Gate, I said. I can still hear the clip-clop of those sandals on the pavement. Don’t walk so fast, said Bobby, I can’t keep up.
If you wore sensible shoes like these you could walk too, I said.
Bobby looked at my boots in disgust. Yes these boots, I said, they are just right for walking in London, it’s called being liberated, I said. Bobby put on a mock shocked expression but I could see the glimmer of mischief in her eyes.
 Why can’t we catch a bus? said Bobby. But I kept on walking.
When we came to Notting Hill Gate I saw my gay friends Paul and Trevor walking towards me dressed very elegantly. How’re you doing, Mair? said Paul, and Bobby walked on in front looking angry.
At that point Bobby turned around, hands on hips in a very camp gesture as if to say: I can do camp too, it’s easy.
Are you coming? how long do I have to wait? Bobby said. Why didn’t you say hello to my friend Paul? you see him enough in W11, I said. I hate him, said Bobby. Why? I said, lots of men really like Paul, what’s wrong with you?
I don’t like him said Bobby not thinking for a moment that Bobby was jealous of my friendship with Paul.
When I arrived at Notting Hill I was very angry. Well, I’m off now, I said. I thought we were going to an exhibition, she said. I was looking forward to seeing the paintings.
At this point I exploded. I couldn’t even take you on a bus looking like that, I said, let alone an exhibition.
You look as if you have come from the arches of King’s Cross, I said, letting out steam with clichés from my Welsh background of puritanical morality.
I’ve lost patience with you, I said, and I’m going home. I saw Bobby pretend a shocked expression of innocence when I knew that she had dressed like this purposely to annoy me.
And off I went in a temper, and when Bobby had given me time to cool off she turned up again looking for
me. Chapter 7: Bobby doesn't
give up |
| Top pictures: High Street Kensington tube station; Kensington Church Street (the heels); me at this time. Bottom pictures: Palace Gardens Terrace, Notting Hill Gate. |
| Contents How I found out. 1 London W11 in the 70s. 1 |
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