It was a gentle September evening.
Life during the previous six months had been a challenge.
From the initial 6 week period of lock down when you could only leave home for essential supplies and 30 minutes of outdoor exercise, working from home for non essential workers and the exasperation of panic buying some essentials, the rules had altered so often that many had lost the plot and resorted to common sense and compassion for their fellow human beings .
One week the shops were all open as were pubs and restaurants, the use of face masks was first encouraged then statutory in enclosed spaces.
Office workers were eventually encouraged to return to work and then advised to work from home again if possible.
Hospitals and Primary care centres initially saw only essential cases and were on stand by to put all hands to the pump to deal with the predicted catastrophic scenario of being overwhelmed by critically ill Covid 19 cases.
Archie and Alice were having dinner with Maggie and Mike, their next door neighbours and good freinds. Archie and Mike were letting off steam about, what they described as , 'the shambolic mismanagement of the situation'. Archie a retired RAF officer and Mike, a self employed mechanic mourned the lack of common sense and self discipline which they took for granted in their own lives.
Maggie, a Senior Nurse in the Critical Care Unit at the local infirmary, had conflicting feelings about situation.
Being at the front end of the crisis, seeing her nurses and colleagues working long hours in uncomfortable kit, dealing with the fear and anger of their patients friends and famillies, whilst at the same time coping with their own grief and fears, she thanked God for the resillience of the human spirit.
The unit had taken several patients with confirmed Covid 19 who had developed complications, but also had as many patients with acute injuries and illnesses which required critical care.
Alice, as always, tried to see both sides of the argument.
Colin, the hybrid mutt and Archies constant companion, didn't care. As long as he got his walks, treats and food on time, his world was perfect.
Archie was in the middle of a raging diatribe about the government and media's disorganised and mismanaged use of information and the lack of personal responsibility taken by what he called,'the scruffy Herbert brigade', when Alice thought it an opportune moment to step in.
'Who wants pudding', she announced, much to the relief of Maggie who was torn between agreeing with her neighbour and recognising the frailty of the human condition.
'Can I help', she asked, a little too quickly, and getting up she followed Alice into the kitchen.
'Wow! Well done Alice', Maggie said. 'I thought Archie was about to melt down'.
'He's just frustrated', replied Alice. 'He needs a project to give him a focus. Pottering about doesn't suit him'.
'What's happened to the book he was going to write', asked Maggie.
Alice gave a bark of laughter. 'What indeed', she smiled shrugging her shoulders. 'Look', said Maggie. 'Mike has promised to redecorate the living next week would Archie give him a hand, do you think?'
'He would be delighted to help, whether he wants to or not', replied a determined Alice handing 4 pudding dishes to her friend and, picking up a huge trifle, she followed Maggie back to the dining room.
Arriving back at the table Alice informed Archie that Mike needed a hand to decorate their living room and she had volunteered his services.
'Love to, old man', said a delighted Archie. 'When do you want me?'
A surprised lookiing Mike replied, 'Maggies on a long day on Monday and I was hoping to break the back of it then. Kick off is 8 am. Does that suit?'
'Excellent!, replied Archie. 'I'll even bring my own paint brush'.
'No need, said Mike, The ceiling and skirting are already painted, it's the wall paper I need a hand with'.
'What colour is the wallpaper', asked Alice.
'It's a delicate green on white background. A sort of Japanese flower design', said Maggie.
'Sounds lovely', replied Alice. 'Just make sure you hang it the right way up boys', she said , laughing.
The following Monday evening Maggie arrived home looking forward to a bath, a hot meal and a large drink of anything that contained alcohol. The smell of curry wafted out of the kitchen.
'I'm home', she called.
Mike appeared in the kitchen door way.
'Hello darling. How did it go today?', he said.
'oh, you know, same old, same old. That smells lovely. Did you cook it or have we relied on the good old, Raj Tandoori?
'I'm afarid it was the Raj, said Mike. 'Do you want to have a bath now or after dinner?'
'I want to see the living room', relied Maggie. ' I've been looking forward to this all day'.
Mike followed Maggie towards the living room. 'There's something I think you should know first....
Next door, Archie and Alice were settling down to watch their favourite TV detective programme when a cry of, 'No! Flowers don't grow downwards!', was heard through the wall.
'Sounds like Maggie's seen the new wallpaper', said Archie.
'If you were any sort of friend you'd go round and support Mike', replied Alice.
'Why?' said Archie focusing on the opening credits of their program. 'He was the one in charge of which way up it goes. I just did as I was told'.
'There's a first time for everything', muttered Alice.
So ended the 166th day.
