The lodger is in the building

 

Yesterday I had a call from my neighbour, could my lodger move in? Of course, I was ready. He came over with the mother of the Ukrainian family living in my neighbours house, and I welcomed him at the door and said, that I wanted him to feel like it’s his home, although I realised it’s not going to be easy, just moving into to this strange house. ( the mother translated for me ) I then took them through all the rooms and explained everything that I thought he needed to know. In the kitchen , I said he must feel like he can use things that are there  in the fridge for example, without asking, but I know I would feel odd doing  so.  We exchanged telephone numbers, I gave him a key and they left. He returned later on, armed with his things and settled in. Later on he came into the living room with one of his beers. Using google translate we then conversed, exchanging things about us, I saw photos of his wife and teenage daughter, his friend who is now on the front line. It’s hard to know what to say to someone whose country is being pummelled by a rampant geographic neighbour. I told him I was worried about the support from Poland and the US. I think his mother in law, might have been in Israel and Greece for several years and learnt the language in both countries. At ten we both went to bed.

In the morning, I had a lie in, until eight. He got up after me and made himself breakfast. He had brought some bread in. He was working today until ten pm. I said I had a prepared meal from the freezer he could have when he got back. I will leave it and some pasta before I go up tonight. I thought it might feel strange, to me having a lodger, I did live in a house with a landlady when I did my O levels in Kings Lynn, miles from my parents house. But this is very different. I have signed up and tried Duolingo for his language. Turns out the Scandinavian word for thanks is the same as Ukrainian word for yes which is “tak”. I will try and learn a bit, I think that would be good. In the afternoon, I went convoy style on a mobility scooter I borrowed, into the centre of the village. My friend on hers, which looks more like a Harley Davidson than a mobility scooter, now sports a Skull and Crossbones pirate flag on a garden cane. She has an amazing embroidery machine which she did the pattern on the black material. A motorcyclist saw it and gave her the thumbs up on our return journey. 

Going in the shop, the first shop I have been in since I broke my leg, was interesting. I was still on my scooter, and I am so low, I am looking up all the time. It gives you a different perspective. I got lots of concerned looks from fellow shoppers, I also met some people I know, and had a chat.


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