New academic term……the home schooled children I’ve looked after since they were 7. Now gearing up for GCSE.  Also, I have a new one…hates school, won’t go. So she gets crazy me …poor child. She’s lovely.  

Last year’s sixth formers now gradually disappearing to University. Nervous and weepy… that’s the parents! I was  the same not realising that in no time they are back with washing and food and cash needed. I try to forget watered down tales of initiation ceremonies. 

But it wouldn’t be a normal week without a hospital visit. The Baron admitted me for spinal examination under x Ray …carefully explaining if necessary he’d knock me out and inject into the spine.

So I arrived to newly poshed up hospital.

As I waited to be escorted to my room the elderly porter staggered in. Mumbled someone’s name which sounded distinctly like Empkinninny. We are well used to the many iterations of our surname. 

Before I could leap up an enthusiastic patient bounced up to him and announced it was she.

WELL… some time later Enthusiastic Patient was back. Furious she’d been taken to a room. Medical record taken. Observations taken….then before the Prof arrived suddenly told nurses… I’m only here for an appointment. As she told her tale to her relatives and the assembled waiting room, I could hardly suppress my giggles.

Minutes later the porter was back…came up to me and whispered are you Mrs Empkinninny …oh yes I grinned that’s me! 

Later on the assigned nurse and I fell about laughing. He said he had started to admit her and in fact it could have been even longer because he was meant to be on his break.

Just imagine he giggled…the Prof could have arrived…gruffly refused to listen to her and marked up her spine for the op! She probably only was there for a sore toe or something! 

How We laughed …but apparently the hospital now has to have an INVESTIGATION! Not least because the room had to be recleaned before I got there! 

Silly old bat…as if anyone but me would be called Empkinninny…

As for the spinal. Got gown and infamous paper knickers on. Last thing I remember is lots of people crowding round, Baron shouting for quiet, and waking up some hours later.  Baron came to see me.  Had to do a lot he said…more than what we had discussed … great I muttered and went back to sleep.  When I find out I’ll let you know …meanwhile… night 😴