night is everywhere

 Last night was strange and this morning was stranger still.  It was unpleasant to see the wife in the pub, the pub is a refuge. But it is the only refuge, it is better to keep out of each other's way there. The morning is nasty, she has a strange way of behaving. Oh well, things probably will get worse before it ends. That will probably be better.

In the cafe there are workers everywhere, sheltering from the quite bitter cold. They are all warmly dressed, but still it must be bitter in the unprotected building site.

Complete a short circuit of the town, and then return home. The cat is clamouring for attention, she wants to be fed. Do this, and then make a cup of coffee.

At half past one arrive at the Argentines place to discover his absence despite having made an appointment. Use the phone to give him a call and to ask what is up.

He has been delayed.

Wait for him, and when he arrives go into the flat with him and start to work immediately.  The table in the kitchen has to be removed from there and  placed in the living room. Clear the space in the living room in preparation and then take the table out of the tiny kitchen. The table is very heavy, but with some careful thought it is possible to remove it speedily. It is set up outside the kitchen almost before the Argentine realises that that part of the job is finished. Then tackle the bed, it needs a few extra screws to hold a central leg in place. The covers have to be taken down and the support for the mattress removed. The screws are not easily inserted, but then, after a while, the job is done too.

The Argentine presets a small plastic box of bilberries, he says he cannot eat them by himself, and he says that he needs to go to the hospital now. This is a day early, he will spend the night in a hotel near the hospital to be ready to register there at six in the following morning.

The end of the afternoon is spent with the artist and some of his friends arranging his pieces using the limited spotlights available in the entrance hall to grand hall of the town hall.

The work is not entirely easy, everybody speaks at once.

But then the work is done and all go home.

And now the day is dark and the night is everywhere.