‘Maybe it’s best to say nothing rather than be impolite about someone’s things,’ I say.
‘It’s just a doll. I’m not exactly hurting anyone’s feelings.’
‘Well, you’ve hurtmyfeelings,’ I say, snatching the doll back from her.
The young woman stares at me as though I have gone totally doolally and I am relieved when she walks over to the next stall. Thankfully, the next person who checks out my stuff is much more appreciative.
‘Garfield! How much is that? Haven’t seen one of those for years. Oh, I loved Garfield. Did you?’
‘Oh, yes, everyone loved Garfield. Wasn’t it lasagne he used to eat?’ I say.
‘That brings back memories. Yes, I’d never even tried a lasagne until I was introduced to it by Garfield.’ The woman, who must be in her early sixties, laughs and chats with Debbie and me as she hands over the ten pounds for Garfield. I am so happy to have found someone who values the importance of things from the past.
It might be looking good for the Garfield teddy but the same can’t be said for a Garfield lampshade. I look at it again; maybe I was a bit too enthusiastic to think that someone would actually want it in this day and age. I think that’s one for the bin.
Fortunately, I start selling more items after the woman walks off. Perhaps she brought me some luck. Straight after her is a guy who buys my Walkman to show his daughter how we used to listen to music in theolden days. I am pleased with the sale, even if there was no need for him to emphasise over and over again how many years ago it was since he listened to one.
By the end of the afternoon, I have made £250 and I couldn’t be more delighted.
‘I guess that’s it, Debs. May as well pack up.’
‘Yeah, I don’t think you did too badly.’
‘No, it’s only this lot we’ve got left.’
As I eye up the boot that is still half full of unwanted stuff, I offer Debbie the collection ofCoronation Streetvideos.
‘Are you sure you don’t want these, Debbie?’
‘No, you’re alright.’
‘There might beEmmerdale, too,’ I say.
‘I don’t have a video recorder to play them on. I think that might be why they got left.’
‘Good point. How about the Spanish donkey and the castanets?’
‘No, you’re alright.’
‘Suit yourself then. If you’re sure you won’t regret it.’
‘I’m sure.’
We drive back to our street giggling about all the characters we’ve met over the course of the day. It has certainly been a fun experience.
‘We should have done this more often. I think you’ve inspired me to have my own clear-out. Nigel is a nightmare for buying golf jumpers that he never wears.’
‘I didn’t realise he was playing golf nowadays.’
‘He isn’t.’
We are still laughing by the time we pull up outside my house. Debs has kindly offered to dispose of everything that is left to save me emptying the car and bringing it all into the house again. She is such a good friend, and I hope she will visit me in Amsterdam as she has promised. I would love to show her around once I am there and pay her back for all her support.
I reach for the cash that I made at the car boot sale and count it again before putting it to one side to change into euros. I will keep it separately so that I can buy something special for the houseboat. It will be nice to make my mark on a new home. It might not be a family home, but it will bemyhome. If I want a bright pink sofa, I can buy one. This current house is quite muted with sensible colours, its magnolia walls long faded by the sun. Paul never liked garish colours, and wanted the house to be practical and easy to maintain. Unlike me, who has always loved bright things. You have to compromise when you’re married, though, and I no longer have to do that. Now, as I look around with most of my belongings gone, the house feels bare and unloved. It no longer feels like the cosy home where my family ate, slept, laughed and occasionally bickered. This could be anyone’s home, which it soon will be, as the next step is to put it on the market.
Chapter Seven
‘Lovely place, Ms Davies,’ says a friendly estate agent as he pokes around the different rooms. I’m glad he is so positive; that is usually a good start.
