....................A chilly but friendly stroll around the top end of the High Street made me happier and more determined than ever to make this Christmas a good one.
We drifted into Oxfam where a bird-like lady enthused as mum laid her five murder novels on the counter.
"Ooooh dear" said Bird woman "Someone likes crime"
Mum did her imperious thing by saying nought.
£8 on paperbacks then off to the other shop, the Cancer Relief shop in the untidy down at heel part of Southchurch Road.
Inside though a very clean and happy place. A cream jumper for mum and a fringed tan brown suede skirt for me. A steal at £4.50 for two. We hit our way out nearly bringing down a rail of menswear.


I was parched so was Mother so I suggested/asked if a sit down with mug of tea might just be the ticket. She agreed so into the Franklin cafe where three elderly life worn male patrons sat hugging their mugs whilst thumbing well used papers.
"Sorry love" said elderly patron 1
I'd brushed his chair as I attempted to manoeuvre mother in between his wooden chair and deeply sunk brown leather two seater sofa. Why do British people apologise so readily. He was blameless it was me whose steering was awful. But we got there eventually and with mum and Mr H in place I ordered two teas please and one sugarless coffee. Ta.
(The girl who served me needed a comb through her hair but her life situation was unknown to me so I tried not to judge.
The tea was really good. Very hot and generous in size.

On our way out I did a few quick soulful dance moves to Hey Ya! which was bellowing beautifully from the on counter radio.
"Look, she's dancing " said uncombed girl to stiff red haired mangeress
I loved it, letting go, doing something mad till mother blew away my starstudded bit of fun by snapping
 "Let's get out of here"
Good God dear mother, don't you ever want to boogie?

It had got windy so I draped Mother's fur scarf even more tightly around her head and neck and walked away in the direction of Boots the chemist and Smiths the bookshop.

Boots was sardined with shoppers and so I was glad Mr H had taken on the responsibility of driving mum around the top floor of the bookshop so as I could have a few minutes to myself looking for a red lipstick. I think red lipstick is fab. It's Hollywood, it's a kiss me quick message, it's womanly and painted onto my generous lips it simply says Enter.
Anyway.........I checked and tested then checked and tested again, so much testing infact that my left wrist was awash in various shades of red. I finally plumped for Rimmel's Rose Passion ans Maybelline's Red Passion. The latter, according to the box lasts twenty four hours. Hmmmm...We'll see how it fairs after my lips have dealt with a plate of chicken fried rice.

 After paying up I went to Smiths where I found Mr H and mum hugging/ staggering with armfuls of books and papers. I laughed then went walkabout to see if I could find anything for my friends.
Ten minutes later and several pounds lighter we departed and came home.

It was a good simple day. 
No big money spent, a nice friendly cuppa in a warm steamy cafe and a remarkable mother insistent on living life fully till life exists no more.

:)