Monday December 26th 1932

Foggy still. Breakfast in bed. Visited a tailor to be measured for plus-fours. Family wants me to transfer to Thorogood's Lincoln shop if not sacked. Some Friends - the Batchelors - spent the evening with us. Cards and games of a rather dignified character.

Will drove the visitors home and I went with them. Cold. Heard a girl somewhere singing the Londonderry Air. Beautiful in the dark fog. (We were all later banned from visiting the Batchelors because Mr B. had reprimanded Dick at the table. Dad would not allow any such insults to our family.)

Sunday December 25th 1932

Up at 8am. Walked to L.M.S. Station (where I once used to work). Cold, Thick fog. A wintry journey to Lincoln. Closed windows, steamed up, fog shrouding the countryside.

Lincoln for Dinner. We all opened our presents. Almost useful one was 10/- from Dad. Hefty dinner and a lazy afternoon, dozing by the fire and talking to Wilfred. (Wilf was a distant cousin, a farmer's son from Lincolnshire; he spent a good deal of time with our family. A huge, bumbling, complicated and lovable man. Often enjoying a nervous breakdown, sometimes unemployed. I think being with Dad gave him strength. Whenever Wilf made what he felt was an astute remark, he would repeat it, viz - 'What you want, Norman, is bags of confidence, aye, bags of confidence.' At this time he was working as a Hoover salesman. Dad was an Area Supervisor with a well known refrigeration firm.)

Family card games - Counties of England - in the evening. Ate solidly all day. Late to bed of course, and soon to hear the bells of Lincoln cathedral booming out the hours.

Saturday December 24th 1932

Arrived shop at 8am‑I should have been there at 7am but nothing happened.

In spite of the rush, I was not serving much in the shop. Had some chickens to tie; horrible job, awful little birds, we had to tie in such a way that the emaciated breasts had a plump appearance. In the cellar most of the day, tidying, cleaning and clearing the rubbish.

Dinner at the Woolworth cafe, with Langley, for a change. In the afternoon, Regan joined me in the cellar. Odd jobs. Half an hour allowed for tea. Went to Marks & Spencer' s, bought Mrs Wood two gramophone records.

The Company Inspector, Mr Slaughter, saw our tidy cellar and was satisfied. Christmas box 2/6. Left 11pm. ‑ Nobody has been sacked. Tired out.