That's no lady; that's my mother! Dear Chris
14 September 2004 @ 22:04 in Life
A nice thing happened to me today. An email arrived
at work:
I spoke to my mum, who did indeed remember the man. She was happy to provide a reply, and, god and production departments willing, the following will be printed alongside his letter:
Dear Christopher Phin,
I am a big fan of your contributions to the magazine.
You keep mentioning Palnackie, which is where my grandmother lived. Did you live in the School House there? That was my mum's old school.
For a while I thought you were a teacher who once taught at my school, CD High. However, having seen your photo in a recent volume I realise you are far too young to be him, but are you his son?
Is your mum Maggie Middleton? She taught me French at CD and I was completely in love with her. However she hated me and kept giving me the belt for talking to Sandra Brown and probably for ogling her, your mother's, chest (sorry to be so indiscrete about your mother). She almost certainly has no recollection of me, but I have very fond
adolescent-type memories of her. I also remember Mr Phin popping in to see Maggie, long before they got married!
I spoke to my mum, who did indeed remember the man. She was happy to provide a reply, and, god and production departments willing, the following will be printed alongside his letter:
Margaret Phin, nee Middleton replies: Yes I remember you well, and I remember the ogling. I didn't hate you, and if you think you got belted more than anyone else, it's probably because you talked too much. Specifically, I seem to recall an occasion when I was standing in front of you and a wee voice came from behind me saying "Miss Middleton, I can see your bra!"
