LIFE UNDER THE STAIRS

from Dartford Living February 2023

THE BODYGUARD MELODY THORNTON INTERVIEW

By Jane Stevenson

Hello Again

Anyone else got the post New Year doldrums? Despite my cautiously upbeat view of 2023, I confess to having a strong lack of motivation currently.

I’m bored with the never-ending overcast days. I know it’s very on trend to embrace all shades of grey, but does it really need to extend to the weather? The view from my window of the constant clouds and drizzle is not conducive to a positive outlook.

Just to escape the living room today, we took a drive to the bay. There’s more shingle on the road than on the beach, the wind had whipped up the waves into a heaving grey miasma of water, and we learned part of the cliff has fallen into the sea.

It worked its magic though. We saw many people taking an almost childish delight in being drenched in sea spray while taking photos or videos. A few other cars drew up just to stare at the view. Sitting in the cosy warmth of our vehicle, leaving the outdoors to the more adventurous, we swapped smiles and gestures with others, and took a vicarious pleasure at the sheer enjoyment the force of nature offers.

We arrived back home more relaxed and less miserable with renewed energy to do stuff.

‘Stuff’ in our household is choosing paint and wallpaper. Neither Other Half nor I have a clue about interior colour schemes. I overthink everything. I have enough tester pots to redecorate every room in the house and still can’t make up my mind!

I’ve never been particularly practical when it comes to DIY. My dear old dad couldn’t even change a plug without drama so it’s obviously in the family DNA. I’d rather pay someone to climb ladders, mend things, paint and wallpaper a room. I have no less than ten samples of wallpaper sellotaped around the place –whittling it down to even a couple I like has been a mammoth task. I am in awe of some of the people in our local DIY store, who march in firm of resolve, and pick up the supplies they need seemingly without a second thought.

Despite hours spent online I still have little idea if Nutmeg White really will suit the kitchen, or Mineral Mist will look OK in the living room. At least they aren’t any shade of grey.

Once the house is sorted I must work on myself. When living on the North Island. I had a wonderful hairdresser, who reined in my wilder desire for coloured hair and kept me looking spic and span with well-shaped brows and a minimum of chin hair.

I couldn’t persuade her to move over here! The upshot is that although I’ve been to the hairdresser twice, I don’t feel ‘right’. The most recent stylist asked if I’d thought about having my hair balayage. I’d rather have a decent style before I start messing about with anything else. I know change is good, otherwise complacency sets in. A new stylist might look at me differently and enhance my look or suggest a colour I wouldn’t have considered before. It is the fear of change more than anything – what if the new person is nowhere as proficient as the previous expert? I ‘d have to grow out the results of such experiments or buy a hat.

Some things I wouldn’t change, and thanks to technology I don’t have to. I still have sessions with my trusted therapist via video call. My dentist has agreed to keep me on as an NHS patient, so an annual trip to Abbey Wood to have my teeth checked can be rolled into a visit to meet up with old friends. It’s the yin and yang of life.

Best wishes for the future

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