From the window of my garret, I can see the students at the Royal College of Art, they have some good parties over there - very noisy - and I would love to join them! It would appear that they could also see me. A couple of the students have taken to waving to me, and on Saturday afternoon, the waving turned into beckoning, as the beckoning became more effusive, I thought - why not? They look quite nice from this distance. There are workmen working on the roofs between us and they are watching the scenario with great interest, eventually joining in and encouraging me to make my move in the direction of the college. The students indicate that they will meet me at the front of the college, so, to the cheers of the workmen, I close my window and make my way round there. True to fashion, the young men are not quite so interesting looking close up, and by the time they have given me a tour around the college, I have decided that they are a 'bit odd' - no lasting friendship here then, still, all part of life's rich tapestry...(Perhaps they weren't too thrilled with you, either, Freda!)

Sunday 9th - I am meeting Tony, the Cable & Wireless operator this afternoon. Took the bus out to Ealing Broadway but got cold feet and caught the next bus back! I'm working late this evening, and found I had a bit of explaining to do when he rang to find out what had happened to me...Eugen is on late too, and seems to be in a frivolous mood - joking around a great deal, very unusual for him. He must be up to date with his work, as he always does things 'by the book' and barely has a word for me until he's on top of things, but tonight he's larking around and saying things like "We should get married this weekend" and "How many children would you like?" - this is the shy, introverted man who hasn't even asked me for a date yet?

Monday 10th - I'm happy to find that me'n Eugen are both on the late shift, instead of having our evening tea and biscuits in the switchroom, the porters have taken the tray into their room at the back. Vince, one of the night porters, offers to watch the telephones whilst I go for my tea. I find that Eugen is already in there, perched on one of the large suitcases, moving over, he indicates for me to go and sit next to him. Hmm, I've never been this close to him before....Vince decides what a good game it is to keep turning the light out on us - a little bit obvious, isn't it? (And what I don't know about being obvious -just isn't worth knowing!)

Tuesday 11th - Kathy has given me a lovely purple jumper, which she crocheted herself. I have often admired it, but when I wore it for work, I got the strangest reaction from the porters. They crowded round making silly noises, telling me that it was very 'sexy'. I don't know what they're talking about, but it makes me feel very uncomfortable. It's true that it has a rather open pattern, but I think their imaginations are working overtime. Never the less, they have spoilt my pleasure, and I shall never wear it for work again. (Sniff...)

Wednesday 12th - John H and Eugen are on reception tonight, we had a good laugh, teasing each other - we don't get paid very much, work unsociable hours, the food is pretty grim, and we are often treated like sub-humans, but we do have fun! I have discovered Eugen's weakness - he loves sweet things, so I have bought him a sad looking, sugar animal. He said if I tasted half as sweet - I'd be very good indeed (what does he mean?)

Thursday 13th - What a surprise - a real blast from the past in the shape of a phone call from childhood friend, Maureen Beech, I don't think I've seen her for a decade or two! We arrange to meet tonight; I'm surprised to discover that she has been living in London for some time - and she's equally surprised to find that I have. We exchange mini biographies, and share our dreams - we both want to travel and see the world. (Maureen will certainly do that all right - she will eventually marry a Buddhist!)

Friday 14th - The annual Grand Met party is on at Ashley Court - in the ballroom! Alan, (the one who prefers to be called Haggis!) my friend and neighbour from Sheffield has come down to London for a couple of days, so I have invited him along. I couldn't persuade Eugen to come, no matter how hard I tried. I see the familiar faces of people I have met through working at the other hotels in the group, and it's a very lively evening. The balcony is the perfect place to cool off - Lionel, who I've seen around Ashley Court, comes to chat to me, and it turns out that he went to the same private school that my brother-in-law Leo, also went to - just how small can this world get? (You ain't seen nothing yet, Freda!) I get to meet Ted, Johnny R's friend, who I usually have a few friendly words with, when he rings up to speak to Johnny. As the party begins to wind down, a crowd of us decide to go to 'The Apron Strings' for coffee - me'n Kathy eventually climb into our beds shortly before we are due to get up!

Saturday 15th - Split shift today, which means that I am on both early and late. I have the pleasure of John H's company on reception this morning, and Eugen's to look forward to this evening. Arranged to meet Ted between the two shifts, felt sure we were meeting at Stratter's so went shopping, when he didn't turn up. Then found that he'd been waiting at Ashley Court for over an hour! Went for coffee and a good old chinwag. Ted can chat as well as any woman!
Not very busy in evening. Eugen is bored, so he's in and out of switchroom all evening. He asked me what I wanted for Christmas! (Nothing extravagant - just stop playing hard to get and ask me out!)

Sunday 16th - Afternoon 'Pop Prom' on at the Royal Albert Hall, again, I tried to persuade Eugen to join us, but he wouldn't come, so a crowd of us walked round there, to be met by a heaving throng of teenagers, all screaming for Adam Faith and Shane Fenton. I have never known anything quite like this before, up until now, we have been able to hear the stars singing, all that seems to have gone by the board, as soon as any one comes on stage, most of the audience jump to their feet and start screaming - it's crazy, you can't hear the performers at all! I think it was a good show, but it was rather hard to tell!

Went out for meal in evening, walking back along Kensington Gore, when Craig went speeding past in his navy blue jaguar!

Wednesday 19th - When will I ever learn! Agreed to meet Merrill, another one of the Cable & Wireless operators. We have been chatting for a while now, and get on really well (so why did you have to spoil it??) I don't know what I was expecting, but it certainly wasn't what I got! Merrill is certainly a nice fellow, but voices can be so unpredictable, he turns out to be very short, has long, jet black hair and matching beard! I'm not sure of his ethnic origins, but he's not exactly what you'd call your typical English gent, as I had somehow expected. He's very shy and seems to be a totally different person to the one who chats away so easily, over the telephone, and quite honestly, I'm relieved when the evening is over. (It really is a mistake to meet up with people you've made friends with over the telephone, it never worked for me - and I tried it often enough!)

The bar at Ashley Court is the central meeting place, Harry, the manager of Ashley Court is usually behind the bar, on the whole he is ok, but he keeps a close eye on us. It can't be easy, taking care of this large, rambling place and so many young people. Mostly we just sit around talking and listening to the juke box, but we can play darts or take a turn on the pinball machine. The games room, where there's a full size billiard table and table tennis, is well used. On the way up to our rooms, more often than not, a door will open, and we'll be invited in, someone will be despatched to find more mugs, straws will be drawn to see who is going to have to sprint along Ken High to the milk machine. So long as we keep the noise down, generally, we are left undisturbed, although the rules are that males and females are not allowed in each other's rooms. (No, I am not kidding - not that anyone takes any notice, of course!) Sometimes we sit around chatting, putting the world to rights, or if there's a record player handy, we might indulge in a bit of bopping. (bopping is rock'n roll - you do remember rock'n roll?)

Folks who don't live at Ashley Court can come in the bar for a drink, but, strictly speaking, are not allowed in our rooms, another rule we don't take much notice of. Johnny R and Ted came back with Kathy, after the late shift, also Ann, who's a housekeeper at Stratter's, we all cram into our little garret, we are pretty much out of the way up here, so we put a record on my Dansette, and have a bit of a party, luckily, I don't have to get up early! (Dansette - a square red box, which contains a turntable on which records can be played. Records?? Round black vinyl...perhaps you should ask your parents - or could that even be grandparents??)

Monday 24th - As I pass Craig's offices on the way to work, I notice his blue jag parked outside, (what - parking on Knightsbridge? - yellow lines hadn't even been thought of!). I'm tempted to get off the bus and call in, but I'll let him off this time...Stopped off at HMV to buy 'If I had a Hammer' by Jimmy Justice. John H, on reception, has asked to take me out, and we arrange a date for Thursday. He doesn't want any one else to know about it - and neither do I! I like John, but Eugen is the one I really want to go out with, and if he thinks I'm dating John, I'm sure he won't ask me.

Tuesday 25th - Merrill rang, I do wish we had not met up, I just can't seem to chat to him the way I used to - the mystery has gone. John rang me at Ashley Court to change our date to Saturday, then Ted, Johnny's friend, rang to ask me out on Thursday! Everyone's asking me out but Eugen!!

Wednesday 26th - Ted rang, wants to meet me from work, but I want to get on with my knitting (!!) When I start knitting something, I give it my all - and I am knitting for Eugen. (But it just shows where my priorities lay - preferring to stay in knitting rather than going out with Ted!)

Thursday 27th - Went to the Cinema with Ted, to see 'The Pigeon That Took Rome', (the most boring film - ever!) then went for coffee. (And that's all there is to report!)

Friday 28th - American pop star, Freddie Cannon is staying at Stratter's! So is songwriter, Wes Farrell, who is very good looking. Freddie's record 'Way Down Yonder in New Orleans' is doing very well in the Hit Parade (charts). It's a much noisier, up-beat version of the old song made famous by Al Jolson. Freddie is a rather loud, brash young man in his early twenties, fame is certainly going to his head... Jenny came in the hotel to see me, just as Freddie and Wes were in the front hall, Freddie lost no time in introducing Wes and himself to us both. Freddie keeps ringing me, he wants to take me out, but I would rather go out with Wes.

Saturday 29th - Working until 5.0pm. Wes rang down to ask me to go up to his room, I told him it was against the hotel rules, (a sackable offence, in fact.) He rang me again at Ashley Court, and he and Freddie invite themselves over so, as Jenny couldn't come, our friend Jacquie, came instead. We chatted and played records for a while, Wes told me that he had been in the recording studios the previous day whilst Craig was cutting his latest disc 'Oh Lonesome Me'. He said he'd also written a couple of songs for Craig! Eventually we decide to go for something to eat, after trying a couple of places on Ken High, that were not to Freddie's liking, we ended up at The Lotus House on Edgeware Road, which is a very 'in' place to eat, I have always wanted to come here, and I can't help feeling rather thrilled being with an American pop star! (Freddie will soon put a stop to that!) I'm pleased to see Joan Turner sitting at the next table, as she is my favourite comedienne.

Freddie certainly likes being the centre of attention, and speaks very loudly, other diners turn in our direction and Freddie, enjoying the attention, holds court. Wes is fine, but Freddie is very hard to please and complains about everything, his sharks fin soup is cold (is that what it is? I thought it was cabbage soup!) Then his steak isn't big enough "In America the steaks are this big" he complains, his hands indicating that American steaks must be the size of half a cow! He makes such a fuss that I feel as though everyone in the restaurant is looking at us. By the end of the evening, I'm wishing I were with anyone else but with this particular person. (Told you!) Never again! Wes wanted to smuggle me into Stratter's - no chance! Finally got back to Ashley Court around 01.00am. Oh - my - god, completely forgot that I had a date with John H, the receptionist - whoops! More explaining to do.

Monday 1st September - Rang John to apologise for Saturday (heaven only knows what I said, but it must have been good!) and we arrange to meet tonight. Later, rang him back to cancel - I'm just too tired; naturally, he's not very pleased. (Although we made several attempts, we never did go out on a date!). Despite hoping for an early night, Kathy persuades me to go into Ann's for coffee, John (another one!) and Udo are there too - so still didn't get to bed until 1.0am!

Tuesday 2nd - Told Eugen that I'd finally finished knitting his jumper, he's very pleased and says we must celebrate!! Really, really determined to get to bed early tonight, but met Ann on the stairs, went in her room for coffee, others stopped by to invite us to go in the bar. I suddenly realise that Ashley Court it just teeming with people - it seems there's a rail strike on, and just about everybody who works for Grand Met is staying here, there are makeshift beds all over the place. It turns into a massive party - getting to bed early, turns out to be early next morning!

Wednesday 3rd - Anybody who has wheels, is being used to ferry us to our respective hotels, with my luck, it was inevitable that I'd get crammed into the back of a dirty old van - and not even with a gorgeous fella! But it is chaotic on the roads, and I have every excuse for being late...good fun though, everyone seems to be in great humour. Eugen said I could have stayed with him last night - whatever happened to that shy young man??

Friday 4th - Little Richard is staying at Stratter's, he's much smaller than I had expected him to be, but very friendly. He comes and goes very quietly, not at all like Freddie Cannon