Pandemic. Plan B

 

Neigh, #7 still here.

Do you like the pic? It looks a lot like us. I found it in Lady M's archives. We, equine, are happy and relaxed animals. We take life as it comes. Humans have learnt a lot from us over the years. You can read all about us in Lady M's book "The Singing Horses" We are available from #amazon, the Internet, libraries, bookshops. If you live in England, in the Midlands we are on show at the Blue Sheep Books shop in Wednesbury. Pop along and treat yourself. Allegedly, restrictions in England are coming to an end soon. So, this will be the last time I will be neighing you from her Covid Chronicles. Enjoy!

Day 663, Saturday 15^th January 2022, (Day 47, Plan B) The end is in sight. Light at the end of the tunnel!

 It’s the weekend. Apparently, it was very foggy last night and this morning? Really? It was beautiful and sunny when I rose earlier today. Oh, it’s afternoon now. However, When I came downstairs and opened the curtains Mrs Pigeons was looking for me. I obeyed her glare and went outside into the January sunshine. I took seed outside for her and hubby. She flew to the fence and stared. Ah, I understood. Coo! Coo! There was a large block of ice on the top of the water, and she was thirsty. I, being a kind person, removed it for her. I came back into the kitchen for my brekky, and she flew to her table for her breakfast, Hubby joined her. So, all is well in my garden.

It is Saturday. I put the BBC news channel on. What is this? Our Booster Boris has been in isolation since Thursday as someone in his family had a positive Covid test. Is this totally true or is he in hiding? The Labour leader and even Tory supporters are demanding that he must go. More revelations of parties in Downing Street. I am wondering if there was ever a time when they didn’t party during our lockdown. They had ‘wine time’ Friday while Covid rules were in place. It sounds like our country has been run by a load of party revellers or alcoholics. It doesn’t inspire confidence in our government, does it?

 One person was interviewed because he had a bar in his garden. No law against that but during lockdown he was feeling low, like the rest of us. Three friends came and joined him one evening for drinks. Did they social distance? There was plenty of room. I don’t know but a law-abiding citizen phoned the police. They arrived and the four of them were fined. At the time, they thought… fair enough! Now, they are wondering if they should demand their money back. During the first lockdown it was rather like prohibition days. Peeps would have lock-in parties and if caught the fine was a maximum of £10,000. Numerous peeps were fined. How many will demand a refund or insist on our politicians paying the maximum fine of £10,000 each?

 Enough, time to look at essential item…tv mag. Ah, ‘On the buses’, a great comedy film from the 70’s. That suits me for the rest of the morning.

 Okay must make some effort today. Tv off until later. Time to potter and remove the Christmas décor form the dining room. Then, I guess I will have to flitter round with my feather duster and wander round the house until I discover where the vacuum cleaner is hiding. Be back later.

 What is newsworthy this afternoon? Our #1 tennis player is back in detention in Australia. His visa has been revoked. The Judge decided on this action after protests regarding his anti-vaxxer attitude. Will he play in the Australian Open next week? Will he be allowed to defend his title? Your guess is as good as mine.

 There has been a tsunami in Tonga in the South Pacific. We seem to have had a lot of those in the last fifteen years or so. I don’t remember any prior to 2004. Interesting.

 We are excited locally because the Commonwealth Games will be going ahead from the 28^th of July and hosted here in Birmingham. Covid will not stop us. Neither will it stop the plans for our Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. Events are planned from 6^th of next month, the day of her succession to the throne. Do you know, my friends, there was actually a King on the throne when I was born but as the only Monarch, I have ever know is our lovely Queen, I find it hard to believe. ‘The Queen’s Green Canopy’ has been in operation since May of last year and was set up, with the aim of planting trees during this period to commemorate her Jubilee and to increase and protect the native tree cover. Nice, isn’t it?

 Playing time. Then dinner and another quiet night in.

 Day 664, Sunday 16^th January 2022, (Day 48. Plan B)

 Greetings, my friends. All is well. I have been out and fed the pigeons. Sunshine. I am having a lazy day. but I will give you my traditional Covid update.

 Oh, Novak Djokovic is on a plane back to Serbia. He has been deported, visa revoked and will not be playing in the tournament. The decision to deport him was made on the grounds of health and good order. His anti-vaxxer principle may well cost him future tournaments.

 Covid! Things are getting better for us, in the UK, both our case figures and death statistics are falling as a result of the high number in our population being jabbed. 70,924 cases with 88 deaths.  However, we are still at #4 in the global league table with total case figure at 15,217,280. France at #5 appears to be in a worse situation, 14,000,000+ total cases and today’s figure 278,129. That is more than India who are in the second position globally. The US remain in the lead with 66,995,553 total cases, almost twice that of India (37,380,253) Then, remember, my friends, I frequently question how accurate these figures are and feel that in reality they should be doubled.

 Tomorrow is Blue Monday. So, what do we have to do? Stay cheerful!

Day 665, Monday, 17^th, January 2022 (Year 2, Week 97, Day 49 Plan B. Whatever)

                                           BLUE MONDAY!

 Greetings from myself, pigeons, and Wheelie Bins. All of my family wish you a happy Monday. I confess I was late waking up this morning and feeling blue. Psychological because I know it is ‘Blue Monday’. I had to give myself a good talking to. I told all my aches and pains to go away. Sunshine was streaming through the drapes. Happiness is a state of mind. I smiled. Right! Out of bed! Stroll into other rooms. Life is good. I am lucky (well, I will be if I win the lottery). Get a move on, girl. Soixante-neuf et deux is perilously close. I must enjoy the life I have left. Things to do.

 Downstairs. Brekky. Gyles Brandreth is on the box talking of happiness and this blue Monday. He is giving advice. Things like create a passion. Go out. Be a leaf. That one fooled me. He explained that leaves stay on tree as individuals but when they fall to the ground they die. Clever. Basically, he agrees with me. It is up to ourselves to be happy. Happiness is from within.

 Why is it ‘blue Monday’ when the sun is shining, the grass is green, buds on the trees, buses are passing by, although not many passengers travelling? Well, I guess some peeps have snow, rain and cold. Anyway, it is because it’s three weeks after Christmas, the bills are coming in, festivities are over, and gloom follows. In addition, these days we have the Covid factor which has resulted in unexpected fatalities, job losses, evictions, financial issues when Rishi’s magic beans failed to arrive.

 Tv mag. Yes, “Guess who’s coming to dinner” is on Channel 51 this afternoon. I shall watch it. Why? It’s got that drop-dead gorgeous guy starring in it. Sidney Poitier. It’s a golden oldie from 1967 and poignant highlighting the racial problem of the day. Oh, wait a minute. No- one has problems now, do they? I should say it addresses the issue. If you haven’t seen it, it is about an eminent man of colour falling in love with a white woman which shocks both families. The language, attitudes etc would not pass the censorship for films these days. It’s fantabulous!

 Okay. Get moving. Routine. Chores completed by 3.00pm. Film. Then, routine, take out Miss Bugsy Blue and Mrs Grisly Grey and converse with neighbour. A good point. The early evening is getting lighter.

 What is newsworthy? Wow! Do I not always say that you get away with nothing in life? Today, the 66 year old, Paul Shakespeare, has been sentenced for the crime of rape he committed over 30 years ago. He moved on with his life, even moved 250 miles away and judging by the look on his face when the police arrived at his home last year to arrest him, he had forgotten all about it. Got away with it. Wasn’t he clever? DNA! A sample was taken at the time, but DNA was in its infancy then and there was no match on record. As a result of another crime and Paul’s DNA was taken and hey presto! A match!

 Princes Harry and Andrew are in the news again and seem to be there more frequently than the rest of the Royals who are still ‘Royal’. Prince Harry is planning on coming back to England with his children this year presumably for the Jubilee celebrations. He is concerned about protection and wants to pay for the Royal protection squaddies to look after him and his children. Alas, not possible. It’s all to do with red-tape and legalities. He is not a working Royal and therefore is not entitled to it. Neither can it be paid for. Is Meghan coming? Doesn’t sound like it. As for Andrew, Jeffrey, and Miss Maxwell. Well, Jeffrey went for sword rather than dishonour allegedly committing suicide in jail. Miss Maxwell is awaiting her sentence. Why? When she is unlikely to see the light of day again. Andrew? Facing a civil court case in New York having been stripped of Royal titles and dignity? He will face the court as an ordinary man and not a prince. Maybe, that is what it is all about. Retaliation. Virginia Giuffre just wanted him to lose everything. Guess we will find out in time.

 A more serious problem has hit the headlines tonight. Life in Kabul under the Taliban ruling. The reporter showed us families homeless, in financial despair and without food for the winter. Snow on the ground and children with bare feet. Dismal. Aid should have got through to these people. Alas. No. One man is even selling his daughter because he cannot care for her.

                                                          *************

Aw, that is so sad. A papa selling his daughter because he cannot look after her. Sad. We neigh you a happy week ahead. Brighter days are coming. Stay positive and happy. The Singing Horses love you all.

                                        The Singing Horses | Book | Austin Macauley Publishers 

                                                         

 Neigh, #7!

Covid-19 one year on.

                                                                

Hello Everyone,

Believe it or not we have been in this pandemic situation for twelve months. How things have changed. I thought I would share with you the first couple of days of my journal. When I began I expected it to be for the initial twenty-one day lockdown in the UK. How wrong can you be? 

“Lockdown time

Good morning. It is 11.23 Tuesday morning, 24^th March 2020. I am reclining on the sofa with my cuppa, (no not wine, well in a week or two, maybe) of coffee and watching Holly and Phillip on television. ‘This Morning’ they tell us has been declared essential in these trying times. The sun is shining, soon I shall go out and collect the bins. I heard the bin men come earlier and that is about all that is normal in this unprecedented situation.

 

Last night at 8.29 Boris Johnson, our PM, made an announcement. He explained the dire Coronavirus situation and desperate measures of isolation which must be taken in order to save lives. We already had restrictions in place, working from home where possible, self isolation, public places where peeps socialised advised to close, parks and open spaces staying open for exercise but we must stay 2 metres a part. Sadly, we have idiots in our community who decided to see the pleasant weekend as a holiday. They rushed to holiday spots and got as close to each other as they could. So now, we are in lockdown. Pretty soon, I guess most countries will be in the same situation. Some already are.

 

As many of you know I am a night owl. I rise late and am awake until the small hours. So, it was 10.30 when I strained myself to get out of bed on auto pilot. I walked into my library and looked out on to our little street which by this time of day is normally a car park. Today, just residents’ cars. No cars on the distant Tesco car park and very few vehicles on the road. At last peeps have heeded the warning and are forced to conform. Once dressed I visit the computer for email and games on FB. Was there a life before social media? Where would we be now without it?

 

Then, I staggered down the stairs, something which is getting harder with age. Breakfast time and turn on downstairs television and iPad. The first thing I do and have done for a week is look at the updated number of Coronavirus cases locally. Depressing and frightening. Today, it’s 31. What will it be tomorrow?

 

Before the second cuppa I decided to go out at the back of my property and bring the bins in. I looked down the street and someone was taking the opportunity to clean her car but too far down to engage in conversation. Then another vehicle came round the corner, an opposite neighbour. Apparently, he had been out for essential items like milk and found it extremely difficult to find any. One of the supermarkets had an unimaginable queue of peeps clinging to trolleys at a safe distant apart. He eventually bought milk from a corner shop. Yes, we had social intercourse but were two metres apart.

 

After the second cuppa I returned to the library and worked at the computer while admiring the outside world. It was like being in that parallel universe I frequently talk of. So few vehicles and I observed two buses pass both without passengers. I guess the usual ones are senior citizens with passes and they are all in self isolation.

 

Later, I came back downstairs and opened up my porch/conservatory for the summer. During the winter months I only use it as storage. Soon, it will be full of beautiful plants with room for a chair so that I can sit in it and enjoy our glorious summer which will come at the end of this insanity.

 

For the rest of the day I have played games and watched television. I made one phone call. Part of my survival programme is to phone one person each day. I predict the telephone will make a come back and peeps will actually talk as opposed to texting. Right now, I’m watching a rerun of ‘Midsomer Murders’ with a glass of wine. As of yet I have not succumbed to the chocolate but tomorrow who knows?

 

Soon, I’m going to enjoy a bubble bath before retiring. Hey we’ve survived day one of lockdown and to quote Scarlett O’Hara , ‘tomorrow is another day’.

 

Day 2,

 

Good morning! The sun is still shining. First things first, do I have a temperature or cough? No, so thankfully I have not yet succumbed to this virus. Thank you, Lord, for sparing me. If you remember, peeps, I lost my insignificant other to Cancer last September. He was a medium and I recall what he said after the 911 terrorist attack. It was the beginning of many bad things, there would be more attacks, floods, and disease. It was going to be like the plagues of Egypt all over again and when it’s over the world will be a better place. Is this the last of the new plagues?

 

Breakfast time and I check the local number of cases, it is still 31. I guess that’s some good news for now. The breaking news is that Prince Charles has contracted the virus, even royalty is not immune. I wonder what would be on the news if there were no Coronavirus?

 

My plans for the rest of the day? First, second cuppa. Still no wine at breakfast time but I did finish a bottle off last night. Then, I’m gonna get the car out of the garage and clean the interior, maybe the outside. That depends on how energetic I feel. Later, I shall continue repotting or taking cuttings from my plants and put more of them into my summer conservatory. Yes, I’ll be watching television and on the computer. I shall also make my daily phone call. Have made a list and will phone Shirley, someone I met on hols a few years ago. I have decided to plan each evening for what I intend doing the next day. I may not stick to it but it’s worth a try.

 

As a writer I am used to solitude and self-isolation so you would think this lockdown would be easy for me. No. The difference is one of choice. My freedom and freedom of choice has been taken from me. In one sense we are being treated like prisoners. Loss of freedom through no fault of our own or if we are suffering new plagues maybe it is our fault for choosing materialism over humanity during the last decades. We have become selfish and greedy people as opposed to considerate human beings. Just look at the empty supermarket shelves.

 

I’m now thinking about prisoners. Are they thinking, now you know how we feel? Anyway, we must all stay positive and united through this madness.

 

Here I am again. It is 7.15 and I’m watching ‘Emmerdale’. The day has gone pretty well, all things considered. The car has had an interior clean and the surplus grime has been removed from the exterior. Full wash? Too energetic and not essential in these trying times. Yes, more plants are sorted and looking pretty in the conservatory. The birds have been fed. 

 

I made that phone call and, I think, I brightened the day for someone. She seemed to think it was a good idea. I have another victim ready for tomorrow.

 

Today, we have all been aware of the best and the worst of people. Over 400,000 have answered the Governments call for help. At the other extreme there’s profiteering and those trying to steal NHS workers identity badges to get priority at supermarkets. On a positive note, it does seem that the message is hitting home. Fewer people congregating and more staying at home.

 

Somehow, we will get through this. I have plans for tomorrow."

Wow! My friends, this is not over. The third wave has arrived. We have another twelve months of this so brace yourselves. Accepting it and learning to live with it is the only way to survive and thrive!

Stay safe. Love, Lady M xxxxx

The 'Sofia' Trilogy

Howde Folks,

This week Donald and I thought we would tell you more about ourselves and where we can be found. Donald was my brother-in-law when we were downstairs but, I confess, we were rather naughty and began an affair. Well, if you had been married to his twin brother, Derek, you would understand why. Now, after we were both unfortunate victims of accidents, we are together in the afterlife and spend our time (although time does not exist here) keeping an eye on our family downstairs. Lady M wrote about us in her trilogy and she talks of them below.

Have a great week my friends and stay clear of the dreaded lurgy.

All our love, Donald and Sofia xxxx

Hello Everyone,

The first of the 'Sofia Trilogy', Look After Each Other

The idea for this book was to interweave three things. The inspiration, once again, came from events in my life. I once had the misfortune to meet a gentlemen whose sole aim in life was to complain and find fault. I have always had a strong relationship with my father and thirdly, have visited clairvoyants/mediums. What if? Could I work with a plot involving these three ideas and a lot of 'what if's?  It worked!

"Sofia Haslington is a 36-year-old mother and housewife kept under the thumb of her priggish, anal-retentive husband, Derek. Living by a second-to-second timetable and under strict rules enforced by her husband, Sofia decides to visit a well-respected clairvoyant, hoping for a bit of respite from her otherwise dreary existence. But what she is surprised to learn that day not only changes her life...it changes her.
Sofia, now planning to die on March 5th 2005, writes a "Do or Die" list and, with a renewed sense of spirit, unleashes the bad girl hidden deep down inside. From breaking the Ten Commandments to exploring the marvels of Tantric sex, Sofia goes on a liberating journey of body, mind, and spirit, relishing every last minute she has left on this earth. Women everywhere will laugh, cry, and cheer as Sofia counts down her final moments, making each one more memorable and enjoyable than the last." (Blurb from SBP edition)

I self-published this book in 2007. Later, in 2009, it was republished by the American Strategic Book Publishers in hardback. Both editions (paper/softback and hardback) are still available worldwide on Amazon, The Internet and the hardback edition from good bookshops. The paperback edition is ISBN 9780953945139. The hardback edition is ISBN 9781608600946. Both may be obtained from Internet sites or signed copies from myself. Just leave a message below.

The second of the trilogy, Sofia's Legacy

Sofia's Legacy  answers the question," Is there 'life' after death?" Sofia has died, but come back from "upstairs" to watch her funeral. What a revelation! To be able to see and hear what people were saying about her now that she was dead and they had no idea she could see and hear them. And Derek? Well, if ever there was a hypocrite it's Derek. Her father, Scott was with her and while Derek was, (trying to be the centre of attention), reading a passage from 1 Corinthians at the crematorium, Scott blew smoke rings in his face. He tried to shout above the smoke rings. It was hilarious. You really have to read it to fully appreciate it.  After the service Scott and Sofia joined them for the wake at Haslington Towers.

Sofia becomes accustomed to her new life in a world where time does not exist but where they keep an eye on events "downstairs" and try to help or hinder things. She manages to complete the 'do-or-die' list. Donald and she have many exciting adventures together. They also repeat some of the most enjoyable events; that's another advantage to being deceased or having passed over, because time doesn't exist  experiences may be repeated.

I'm afraid I'm not going to tell you anything else. Just read the book.

SOFIA'S LEGACY (ISBN 9781609763800)  Just email: marilynlrice@talktalk.net for further details or you can download on Kindle and all eBooks. Just put the title or ISBN in Amazon, B & N, bookshops on line or Search Engine. It is also available in paperback/softback from Amazon and Internet sites, all good bookshops or order it from your local library... all you need is the ISBN. Finally, purchase from me!

And, completing the trilogy, Love You Forever

Five years have passed. It is 2010. The reader sees how dramatic and unimaginable events have changed the lives of everyone Sofia left behind at Haslington Towers. Even more surprising events occur that lead to devastating consequences. You really will have to read it! I am not going to give anything else away!
But to quote from the blurb,
 "This stunning book series delves into karma, the afterlife, and more things in heaven and earth than you have ever dreamed!"

ISBN: 9781631353659     Soft/Paperback.

Available from Publisher’s Website: http://sbprabooks.com/MarilynLRice   Amazon, online retailers and good bookshops.

Or SIGNED COPIES from the Marilyn L Rice: Email: marilynlrice@talktalk.net.

Happy Reading! Love Lady M xxxx

Sofia returns!

                                                     







Howde Peeps,

Sofia here with Donald. We have not been around for awhile but we have been following her blogs and thought you must be getting tired of lockdown every week. So, we are taking over and giving you a little more entertainment throughout the rest of the summer.

If you are wondering who we are you may read all about us in Lady M's books which she calls the "Sofia" trilogy. You can see how pretty they look in the pics above. There's more info about us on her website, by scrolling through her blogs, or on the Internet, particularly on a site they call Amazon.

To begin our little adventure with you we have found an amusing short story she wrote based on her and many others experiences.

Enjoy!

                                                     **********************


ROOM NUMBER

Some years ago, I went on my jollies to Malta and when I checked into the hotel, they gave me room 636. I said, “If it were 666, I would be the devil’s daughter.” This caused much laughter. For a few days at all mealtimes I would smile and say, “666, The devil’s daughter, 636.” Suddenly, I was feeling devilish. Many would say, true to character!

When asked for the room number I just said, “666.”

This was at a time when pen and pads had been ousted and fantastic new technology had been brought in. I watched the harassed waiter put the numbers in this silly little machine. He looked puzzled. Now, dear readers, that waiter had known me for years and had heard me describe myself as the devil’s daughter many times. I was sure he would realise. He tried again, “Er, it’s not coming up. What number?”

When I’m devilish…I’m devilish! 

“666.”

He tried four or five times before I laughed and said, “It’s 636.” Then he realised and laughed.

“I never expected you to put it in.”

“When we had to write the room numbers it was easy to remember them. Now, we just put the number in we’re given without thinking about it. It’s like being in auto-pilot mode.”
I guess that was the beginning of the farewell to the banter between waiters and guests. That was when they first became too busy or preoccupied to consider friendliness and chatter.

Moving forward. Different time. Different place. Technology has advanced. Hostesses and restaurant staff all have iPads which require a room number before revealing individual identity and numerous other details which staff must read as opposed to conversing or even looking at the guest. Guests have become robots. Forget personal, friendly service, care or any interest in guest. Forget remembering little details like room numbers, wine preference or anything relating to regular guests which made them feel welcome, special and at home. Just concentrate on the iPad and think of salary. Technology has replaced humanity. In the good old days when hostesses had a list on paper, or what is now known as hard copy, they would look up, see a person and smile. Then greet person with vocabulary before finding name on list, note and place tick. Next, be happy to escort person to a table while chatting pleasantly. Such wonderful memories of bygone days. Now…

There at the restaurant door stands stone-faced Morticia. Guests approach and join the queue for dinner with some trepidation while wondering whether they’re in a luxury hotel or the supermarket check-out.

At last it’s their turn to face the ordeal with Morticia whose glazed eyes just vaguely note another robot in front of her. “Room Number!” She demands. No one is getting passed her without this information. Once she has this information, she is oblivious to any attempt at verbal communication from robots who are asking to sit in their favourite place in the inner sanctum and enjoy an evening meal. They have been salivating for the last fifteen minutes while patiently queuing and wondering why they have paid a fortune for this torture when it’s free at the local supermarket. Eventually, after digesting all the info on her silly little iPad she shouts, “Follow me.” Then proceeds to place them at a table of her choosing, not theirs. They protest but she acts more like a prison officer than a hostess and they are left sighing as they are seated at a table in the corner and in the dark. She has left them, rushed back to her station ready to face the next robots.

This set me thinking… after all I am a writer. What would happen if the Queen, Prince Philip and their entourage were to find themselves in this situation? I think it would be something like this…

“Room number!” Morticia bawls.

“Room number. What is a room number?” The Queen asks.

“Room number.” Morticia repeats and quickly glares at her before looking back at her precious iPad.

The Queen turns to Philip, “Philip what is a room number?”

“Damned if I know. Isn’t a room something that common people stay in?”

“Just a single room? People stay in just a single room. Really?”

A frustrated and annoyed Morticia shouts even louder, “Room number!”

“I think so. Wouldn’t know.”

“Oh,” She looks at Morticia, “One does not have a room.”

“Oh, you’re non-resident. How are you paying?”

“Paying? One doesn’t pay. One is Queen. One does not carry currency.”

Morticia is getting really annoyed with these stupid robots. “You’re not resident and you’re refusing to pay. Next. Room number.”

The Queen is thoroughly confused. “One is resident but One does not have a room.”

Philip interrupts, “We have a suite.”

Morticia replies, “Ah you have a suite, room number!”

The Queen and Philip look at each other in despair. Do suites have numbers? At this stage, a bodyguard speaks, “Ma’am, the suites have numbers just like the rooms.”

“Really? What is it?”

“Ma’am, the number is on the door and on your check-in info with your key card.”

“What is a key card?”

“Ma’am, it is the card which opens your door and then operates the lights.”

“Oh, that little thing. I left it in the little slot where someone placed it.”

“Room number!”

Robots behind are now forming a long queue and are sighing and looking at their watches and mobile phones.

One of the Queen’s entourage rushes back to her suite and looks at the number. He returns and shouts at Morticia, “432.”

Morticia taps the number into her precious iPad. She tried three times. Nothing was coming up on the screen. Morticia’s brain has frozen until a frazzled robot in the queue shouts, “There’s no such room or suite. There are only three floors. No room has the first digit 4.”

Morticia screams, “Room number!”

The bodyguard was flustered. “Was it 342?”

Morticia’s aching fingers try 342. “Miss Smith? You’re not Miss Smith. No room. Refusing to pay. No food. Next. Room number.”

The bodyguard tried again, “324?”

Morticia taps in 324 and spends ages digesting the information before saying, “Mr and Mrs Windsor?” without even looking up.

The Queen is still puzzled as she is thinking about people staying in a room and magic key cards. “One is Queen.”

Philip looks a little stunned. He had never heard anyone address them as Mr and Mrs Windsor.

“We are the Mountbatten-Windsors but my wife is Queen.”

“Ah, Mountbatten-Windsors, room number!”

“One is Queen.”

“Room number.” Morticia blasts forth.

Philip adds, “We own a castle at Windsor. Dammed awful fire in 1992.”

“1992, Annus horribilis.”

“Grandchildren married there in 2018. Good times.”

“Oh yes, One remembers.”

“Room number.”

“One is Queen.”

“No Queen. Mr and Mrs Windsor or Mountbatten-Windsor? Room number!”

Philip looks around, “Damn this stupidity. Lizzie let’s go and get fish and chips.”

They and their entourage leave.

The next robots move forward.

“Room number!”

                                                         ***********************

We hope you enjoyed that. Have the best week you can and stay safe. All our love, Sofia and Donald xxxx