My... 8th? 9th? 10th?
On top of a mountain in Switzerland with my parents, Gary and Elise.
My 14th or 15th.
My parents fighting. I called the police. They came. The policeman said 'Happy Birthday'. I've always liked the police. I went to stay with Amanda and her family.
My 16th.
Amanda, my best friend, my only real friend, and my parents and I. We dressed up and had dinner in Exeter.
My 18th.
A Bros tribute band. Mick was the singer. He'd been going out with Jo Waring but we then had a sort of fling. Girls from school came the 24 miles to our home in the sticks and the band played in the converted barn. I'd just heard that I'd got a place at Oxford for the next autumn.
My 21st.
Friends from Oxford drove down to Devon on the spur of the moment. We had dinner round the table with my parents. I can't recall who came. Rich did. I went out with him for a while after that.
My 30th.
Abby and I shared the party. We had it at a pub in the City. One of Abby's friends was the DJ. A pair of football managers came. Lots of people. Charlotte and Linda and Sarah and Julie. I drove Linda back to North London and Julie back to Peterborough. She was sad. Linda was drunk. Charlotte was cross as she was the only one who'd kept to the alleged 70s theme. Maybe Kat came too. Ben did. I had a fling with him.
Somewhere in my 30s
Linda and I at The Pheasant in Keyston, my favourite restaurant. They put 'Happy Birthday' in caramel sauce next to my tarte tatin.
My 46th.
Three couples, me and Linda. We had dinner in a lovely restaurant in St. Albans. Charlotte was there, with Pete. She'd split up with Tom again by then. For the third and final time. Paula and Bob. Lovely Paula who bred Siamese cats (Eskimo and Ghost, Baby, Tala and Raffy). Lovely Bob who visited me in hospital. Matt and Nat. None of them really knew each other. It was a good evening. I drove home.
My 47th. I think.
A cocktail with Linda in Holborn. Then dinner with Julien and Julia. Then a cocktail with Maria. A big night, alcohol-wise.
My 49th.
A double shift at work. A tiny bottle of pink champagne in the edit suite with Ash and Raman. I had to stay in a hotel.
Tomorrow is my 50th.
I am going to the gym. Then hope to see Leanne for a walk. I will drink prosecco with Jabi and Buji and Wuji.
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