Page 156 - It's a Rum Life Book 3 "Ivy House Tales 1970 to 1984"

We have now laid the stage for this tale when we had an unexpected visitor one evening.
A young lady had come on an errand, exactly what, slips my mind, but we relieved her of
her coat. I do remember this was a smart hacking jacket in wool.
The coat was placed in what we thought a safe place on passing the studio door. It was on
a plinth just inside.
It was a cool evening and we had the open fire burning in a cosy alcove frequently used
when there were just the two of us at home.

HOME TIME

Oh my goodness, on opening the studio door, the picture before us was one of total
destruction. Perhaps the dog had decided he should have been included in the evening’s
conversations, perhaps there was a strong scent on the coat he took exception to, but the
coat was in shreds.
Not just a tear or two, but total annihilation. Not a single piece left that could be attached to
its neighbour.
We were all speechless, particularly our visitor who to add to the problem we had never
set eyes on before.
It was lucky that at the time, our lorries on their journeys up and down the country were
selling the latest “craze”, quilted jackets that we were buying in bulk from a manufacturer in
Boston.
The sideline was selling well and we always kept a good stock of sizes and colours.
There were boxes with all colours from bright to subdued, stripes on arms and on the
body. Colour contrast panels and classic designs.
Fortunately our visitor was pleased to accept one of these new garments in exchange for
the previously more elegant woollen hacking jacket that she had left her home in, quite
unsuspectingly, but now lying around our feet in small pieces and the dog was forgiven.
We never did see the young lady again!

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