Time for a Giggle

I really enjoy writing this blog. I love being able to connect with you all and give more context to the Stones Corner series, but I’m conscious that my last couple of posts have been quite heavy. Unfortunately, it is the world we live in! So when I was walking the dog this week and wondering what I could write about, I thought I’d give us a giggle and talk about secrets!

SECRET

adjective

1.     not known or seen or not meant to be known or seen by others.

Let’s be honest, we’ve all got secrets, although my children and husband tell me I’m useless at keeping them and you know what, they’re right -  I am!  So it’s relatively easy for me to tell you a secret that very few people other than very close friends and only family know. 

There are all types of secrets, good, bad, funny, exciting or those that are simply better not to share for numerous and valid reasons.  You understand. 

As a result, the secret I’m going to share and to brighten your day this week is actually very funny.  It wasn’t funny at the time, indeed it wasn’t funny at all!  However, if I tell you, maybe, just maybe, you might tell me a fun secret by sharing it in my comments box?

Well, it was like this.  My hubby and I were travelling to New York on business.  Me for American Express and him for his work.  We arrived late at night at the lovely Irish owned Fitzpatrick Hotel on Lexington Avenue, Manhattan.  Note to reader, this was a very long time ago when I was still relatively young and shy (I was honestly!).  Anyways, we check in then decide to go for a nightcap that may have turned into two or three but soon it was time to hit the pit. 

Let me first describe the scene, the Fitzpatrick is a small hotel almost like three or four joined up town houses.  We were put in a room that was at the end of a long, narrow white corridor with two doors at the end.  Our room number was 412 and the adjacent room, 413.

What must have been some time later, I wake up.  Naked!  In the hallway!  I’m howling like a banshee inside, walking back and forth like a mad woman and trying to work out if this experience was real or was I dreaming!  I have been prone to sleep walking my whole life and looking back the hotel room was set up similarly to our own room at home, except the door to our bathroom was the door to their hallway.

This. Was. My. Worse. Nightmare!  I look at the two adjacent white doors and can I, can I remember which room was ours?  Heck no!  What happens if I knock the wrong door and I’m standing naked in front of some complete stranger in the middle of the night!  It wasn’t an option, no way, I need to get help!  I frantically look around and notice a small half-moon table that held a number of small, old-fashioned books placed below a huge round mirror. 

Strategically and carefully, I place some of the books in all the necessary places to provide me with some form of modesty and press the call button on the lift. You can imagine! Frustratingly it wasn’t until the following morning, I noticed there was an in-house telephone on the side table next to where I was replacing the life-saving books!

Once inside the lift and to my horror, I find the lift is mirrored from floor to ceiling!  Shaking my head, I step in and press “G” whilst tucking my everything behind the left hand side of the lift frame.  It offers me no privacy as it slowly descends and quietly opens once it reaches the ground floor.  I shyly peek my head out and around to be met by a shocked, uniformed porter who had been, I’m sure, happily reading behind his desk but who now looked aghast at the crying, naked manifestation desperately trying to shelter in the depths of the lift!   

The man stands up and says nothing, absolutely nothing.  Instead, he holds a deadpan, professional expression.  Clearly seeing my distress, he quickly removes his beautifully pressed jacket and passes it through to me.  Remaining silent, he tentatively steps towards me and pushes the fourth floor button and before I know it, the lift is moving upwards.  As it reaches and settles on the fourth floor, the door opens and I find my hero waiting.  He gestures for me to follow him and then leads me quietly towards our room where he opens the door.  We have yet not spoken a single word to each other.

With a curt nod in acknowledgement, he quickly leaves and I enter my bedroom where I frantically shake and shout at my husband in an effort to wake him and blame him for everything - of course it’s his fault!  Given it was the middle of the night and since he’s used to me ranting, John pays very little attention to my tirade so I dress quickly to return the concierge’s jacket.

My heart is racing and I’m sweating as once again I arrive at the ground floor.  Preparing myself as the doors open I find he’s not there!  The whole reception area is empty and I’m certainly not going to go looking!  Instead, I carefully place the jacket on the back of his chair and run like hell back to my room!

The following morning, I leave the hotel with fire coming out of my heels.  I’ve never returned nor have I ever walked in my sleep in a hotel since - jamming a suitcase and a chair against the door seems to help!  Can you imagine, the gossip in the Fitzpatrick’s staff canteen the following morning.  Cringe, cringe :( 

So to my knight in shining armour, I thank you for your courtesy and kindness and perhaps I will go back and stay once again at the beautiful Fitzpatrick – if they’ll have me!

Some secrets are better kept, some not if they give you a giggle and I hope mine has! And no, there isn’t a photograph available – thank God!

Closing, I’d like to say that I’ve been overwhelmed by the reviews Stones Corner Turmoil has received and even more at the number of you who’ve already pre-ordered Darkness.  For those who haven’t done a review, please do, it’s a bloodline for the book(s) success!  Over 200 have bought the book in total now and I’ve received 20 odd reviews, help me get more :)  

https://www.goodreads.com/review/new/56918213-stones-corner

It’s been a busy week for me and the sun is shining so enjoy the weekend – we’re nearly there everyone, we’re on the road to recovery!

Thank you everyone for all your support.  Doesn’t happen often, but I’m lost for words and a “thank you” doesn’t seem enough.

Jx

Ps.  DON’T FORGET THE COMPETITION!  Buy a paperback of Stones Corner, Turmoil and put a name forward that will be drawn from a hat to become a character in Stones Corner, Light!