Communication Skills

Robbie rang me on Saturday morning at around 10am, he didn't have much to say except a load of drivel about trains, but he did mention that he would get home late on Saturday night rather than Sunday morning because he could get a lift. I gave him very firm instructions not to wake me up but I forgot to check that he had his house key. He didn't ring me again on Saturday, he forgets that I exist when he is 'playing trains'. Evening came and before I knew it was past 11pm and still no word from Robbie. The question of locking the front door bothered me, I couldn't go to bed and leave it open, I could lock it but not put the chain on, but there was a good chance that he didn't have his key because he didn't take his briefcase on Friday. I decided to wait up for him, so I kept myself busy with jobs until after 2am, when he rang to say that he was just going to bed! He embarked on a long and contorted story to explain his change of plan, the short version was that the train was seriously delayed. I wasn't interested in the detail, I just wanted to know why he didn't let me know earlier. He spluttered a bit, he even attempted to think up an excuse, but simple truth is that he forgot. I waited up until past 2am for nothing, I want overjoyed about it. Robbie will certainly not go down in history as one of the worlds great communicators.

Everyone Has Limits!

Robbie had a very bad day on Sunday. We had to get up early to go and get the dog from the kennels and I decided to take the other car, but I asked Robbie to bring both car keys with us. It was a reasonably long drive because the kennels is near Milton Keynes and Robbie talked non stop about trains, including a very odd statement about a Pendolino 'sitting down'. It was lovely to get Meg back, but the journey home was hot and uncomfortable. We arrived home to find ourselves locked out because Laura was out and the other key that I had asked Robbie to bring was locked inside the house! I had to drive all the way to my mum's to get the spare key. In the afternoon he kept me waiting outside Tesco for an hour and a half, he should have only bought a few essential food items, but he 'accidentaly' went shopping for clothes! I was not amused, in fact I was furious. He did say he was sorry, but he didn't seem very sorry and when he moved my cleaning stuff that evening and then mocked me for getting cross, he ended up wearing a cup of tea! I did regret it, it was a waste of good tea, but everyone has limits – even me!

Things That Go Bump in the Night! 10.03.08

Robbie seemed to have a good time 'playing trains' on Saturday. He didn't get home until after midnight and I had been very clear that if he wanted to go 'out to play' he would have to go to and from the station by taxi, I tolerate 5.30am starts and late finishes on weekdays but my weekends are precious and I am not keen on loitering at the station at midnight. I headed off to bed at 11.30pm and soon after midnight I heard what sounded like a taxi outside, shortly afterwards I heard what sounded like Robbie coming through the front door and a selection of other lumps and bumps, so I was fairly confident that Robbie was home. I wasn't too surprised that Robbie didn't come up to tell me he was home because he probably thought I was asleep. I continued reading until almost 12.30am when I heard the phone ringing downstairs, Robbie hadn't answered it but I assumed he had fallen asleep (he usually does). I was up, out of bed and galloping down the stairs, after all if someone was ringing at that time of night it must be an emergency and I was worried in case it was Emily. The phone had stopped ringing before I got there but someone was knocking at the door - it was a cold and cross Robbie! Someone had left the key in the door! I don't think it was me, but I can't be certain. Robbie burst in, invented several new words and headed for the kitchen. I wasn't going to hang around for him to bark at, and I went back to bed to continue reading. In due course Robbie appeared with cup of tea and an explanation. I had given him a stern warning not to wake the whole house when he got home, so when he found himself locked out he didn't want to make too much noise. He didn't ring the bell or the phone, he knocked on the door and sent me seven texts, the problem being that I don't take my mobile to bed because it makes those annoying scanning noises, and after years of being on call at night the slightest noise from the phone has me on instant alert. I am still cross with Robbie for not just ringing the house phone or the doorbell, trust him to turn a simple problem into a drama!