Speculation, Fact and Fiction

So, the sons come home from school on Friday and I'm hot, tired, headachy and have generally Had Enough.

Only husband is due to be going to Pinner Aikido Club that evening as a guest instructor and I'm due to go with him. Another of our club members is giving us a lift (the aikido plumber as it happens) and boy-minding arrangements have been made. It's just going to be more hassle to say I'm not going and have to change arrangements, make explanations and all that kindathing. OK, I conclude, I just have to grit my teeth and get through it.

Y'know what? I had a great time. An hour and a half in the car with cheerful folk who hadn't had the same kind of week as me proved a really good way to unwind. We were warmly welcomed by Pinner Aikido, who were ever so keen to see what husband Steve had to show them. I got to practise with new people including other black belts. This meant I got to compare and contrast my aikido with theirs - one of the interesting things about aikido is the variation on technique that develops to suit different physiques and intentions. So we discussed the pros and cons of different approaches .

Then we all went down the pub and drank beer and chatted about aikido, life, the universe and everything. Got home in the small hours of the morning feeling thoroughly cheerful.

Then had younger son bring me tea in bed (at a civilised hour) on Saturday morning, by way of an excuse to ask with curiosity coloured with just a hint of disapproval, 'just what time did you get back last night? Because I didn't hear you come in.'

I did try to explain why that made me laugh but I don't think he quite got it.