Madame Galina's Doings Diary

Tom W.'s In The Offing

Here I am back safely from a second trip to Afghanistan, though not going to blog about it, because I want to sell the story to the press and stand more chance if it is as yet untold. Magnus Hastings, who took the beautiful photograph (below), put me in touch with Larissa, a free-lance journalist friend of his.

“She has a great track record”, he told me.

Larissa and I exchanged e-mails. Her first one said: “Magnus put me on to you. All sounds great. Details of you, where?”

And her second: “Excellent. Possible we do something before he goes away on 10th? Call me”.

I was a bit put off by the Janet and John style, I have to say. But that has never held Zoe Anderson back, has it? And perhaps it meant that Larissa was busy, and that could only be a good sign. Or better still, maybe it was the brusqueness of a spinster.

To the adage If You Want Something Done, Do It Yourself, might be added: Or Hire A Spinster. Of Either Sex. Hang fast, sorry: you have to watch the gay ones for drink. A few too many deadlines have been missed because Let’s Play Secretary Mary has passed out in the wardrobe being Joan Crawford in the no more wire hangers scene in Mommy, Dearest. But otherwise, spinsters rock. Because they don’t. They’ve never more than two-stepped. Or goose-stepped, in the case of my great aunt Mair, which is taking being in control that achtung too far. But otherwise, a spinster is to be trusted. Which is why I thought: Hoorah! Larissa’s one.

Her third e-mail said: “Sorry replies so brusque but suddenly dealing with potty training (1st day) and am frequently distracted by (faintly horrifying) accidents. Plus bloody au pair left front door key outside front door last night and only just thought to tell us. The utter joys of domestic life”.

Copyright Magnus Hastings. To cheer us after the above let down

So, the article is on hold. But not because there’s Napisan, sick or worse all over it, so let’s be thankful for small mercies. Especially as it means that a project dear to Madame Galina’s heart can be brought forward.

Her new sideline as an interviewer, natch. Thomas Whitehead will be her first subject, and is meeting her for lunch tomorrow. I shall be going along as referee. Until then, watch this space.

Posted by Madame Galina2 at January 7, 2007 08:26 PM