I often have to send cables over the telephone, which means contacting Cable & Wireless, the young men there (no women Cable & Wireless operators - I wonder why?) are always very cheerful, and we often stay on the line chatting. We have got to the stage where we recognise each other's voices now and are on a first name basis, some times, we spend the whole evening chatting! Inevitably, we just have to meet; I've made a date with one of the operators called Tony! (You will learn, Freda, you will learn!)

Monday 13th - Craig Douglas is 21 today! And he takes up the front page of the Daily Mirror. Rang his office to wish him happy birthday, from the noise in the background, it sounded as though they were having quite a party!

Tuesday 14th - John H on reception is very friendly, came in switchroom for his tea, and stayed chatting ages, until Eugen stuck his head round the door to tell him that it was his turn! The El-Al crew are in, and one of them, Graber, is showing a great deal of interest in me, but I cannot see further than Eugen, and I am not best pleased when Graber turns up at Ashley Court. Unless they have a key, no one is supposed to get past the front door, so some one must have let him in. I'm horrified to find him searching the floors for me, I have no intention of being thrown out because of him, so I'm afraid he got very short shrift from me! (But then, tact is something I have yet to learn ...).

Me'n Kathy went to see 'A Kind of Loving' with Alan Bates, in the evening. It's about a girl getting pregnant and having to get married - shock, horror!!

Friday 17th - Eugen came in the switchroom for his evening cup of tea, stayed a while chatting, he tells me that he is going to work in America as soon as his visa comes through - what a horrible thought!

Saturday 18th - John H and Eugen are both on reception this morning, they are teasing me about a nickname they have for me - I wonder what on earth it can be?? Working overtime at the Mandeville this afternoon, just had time to get some samples of wool for Eugen's sweater. As Eugen lives on Marylebone High Street, he has to pass the Mandeville on the way home, so I rang him at Stratter's to ask him to stop by, which he did quite happily and stayed chatting for about 20 mins. (Believe me, I lost no opportunity to get Eugen's attention!) He asked if I was serious about knitting him a sweater. Just try stopping me!

Sunday 19th - Jenny is staying at her friend Jacqui's house, as Jacqui's family are on holiday, so went over to see them. I found them still in their baby doll nighties, living on cornflakes, as they can't be bothered to cook, also, it saves on the washing up! Made them get dressed, then went for a long walk, not much else happened, but we had a good giggle, and it was a lovely sunny day.

Monday 20th - Worked overtime at Mandeville again, met Eugen on the way home, stopped for a chat, trying to find out what my nickname is, but he's being very mysterious about it. I shall get it out of John!

Wednesday 21st - Kathy and I are on the early shift, both went shopping after work, bought pair of brown patent shoes - only 25/-! (£1.25) After a meal at 'The Golden Egg' went to the Odeon in Leicester Square to see 'The Loudest Whisper' - not exactly the most pleasant film I have ever seen, in fact I wasn't sure that I even understood it! (Women fancying women? For heaven's sake, it will be another decade or three, before I manage to get my head around that one!) Met John M, Johnny R -porters at Stratters - and Peter Jones on our return to Ashley Court, they decided that they would come up to our room for coffee, but they didn't get any. That Peter Jones seems to dog my footsteps, wherever I go, he always seems to be there. (Now does that have a familiar ring to it, Eugen? Craig?).

Thursday 23rd - Went walk down the King's Road in Chelsea, lovely shops and boutiques, too expensive for me - but it's nice to look and dream...(Of course I didn't buy any shoes!)

John H has found out about the sweater I'm going to knit for Eugen and is behaving in a rather jealous manner, somehow I don't think he is in the mood for revealing my nickname...

Friday 24th - It's my weekend off, and I've decided to go home, as Lorna is not on the telephone, I've sent her a telegram to let her know that I will be home this evening, and to meet me in town. Went dancing at the Locarno, disappointed that I didn't bump into any of my old friends, but it was nice seeing Lorna again, we had a good time catching up on everything. She is in awe over my 'London life'!

Saturday 25th - Had a good lie-in then met Mum in town to do some shopping, naturally, I bought a pair of shoes...also bought some flowers for Mum. Mavis, Rae and children came over in the afternoon, it was nice to see them all again. Told Mum about Eugen, she says he's welcome to come and visit..Spent a quiet evening in, much to Mum's surprise, she knows how much I like going out when I'm home, but feel quite weary.

Sunday 26th - I had planned on going to the morning service at St Mary's, bound to see some of my old friends there, but it's pouring with rain, and staying in bed seems a very tempting option...
If it hadn't rained I would have gone to Rotherham to see Lorna, but it's two bus rides away, and I spend so little time with Mum and Dad on these weekends home, so I stay in and watch T.V. and get on with knitting Eugen's sweater. As it happens, Des O'Connor, Dennis Spicer and Alex Welsh are all on T.V. tonight - fabulous!

Monday 27th - I have decided to take my record player back to London with me, but it's quite cumbersome. Luckily, I bump into Bert Richards, the Senior Technician at the City General, we stop for a chat, then he offers to help me get the record player to the Midland Station, which is quite a distance from my bus stop. (Taxi? It would never have occurred to me to spend precious pennies on a taxi!!)

Knitting Eugene's sweater at work, during slack periods and, to my surprise he is telling everyone about it - now I'm getting teased about showing favouritism for a certain person - what do they mean! Now everyone thinks that we are 'more than friends' - I wish!! It's true that we have become friends (not that Eugen had any choice!) but it is nothing like folks are imagining, by now, I would have hoped that Eugen might have suggested that we go out sometime, even if it were only for a cup of coffee, but although he always seems to want to know what shifts I'm working, and always seems pleased when we are working together, that's as far as it goes - and it's driving me crazy!!

Tuesday 28th - On early shift, I must admit it's nice to be back, I have really missed Eugen this weekend. It's a pleasure to come to work, knowing that he's going to be there. Sheila, telephonist from the Mandeville, asked me to make up a foursome with she, her boyfriend and his brother. A most unmemorable evening...(Unless the guy is drop dead gorgeous, [or drop dead ghastly] he doesn't get much of a mention in my diary!)