Leapy Lee - chart topping singer of the 1960s and 70s

Every week I write and article for the Euro Weekly News, an English-speaking newspaper covering all the major resorts of Spain and the Balearics. You can pick up a copy on a Thursday ... or read it here every week.

Thursday 26 July 2007

There we were, me and 'er indoors; all done up to the nines, babysitter ensconced and more than ready for a great evening, attending the highly anticipated birthday party of an old friend. Their exquisite villa which overlooks one of the prettiest bays in Mallorca has hosted this annual 'do' for some years and we knew from past experience that no expense would be spared. Only the best would flow and the roe would be strictly Beluga. Clutching our present (finally selected for the gal who has everything!) we duly chugged away in the 'yellow peril' which I was also aware would appear a little forlorn and misplaced amongst the gleaming machines it would have as parking companions for the next few hours, ah well, cest la vie as they say. (No, don't ask me why we didn't get a cab - not enough column space!). We were as usual about an hour late, but then I do feel that over the years friends have gotten fairly used to the 'Grahams' arriving last and do make allowances for this short-coming in our make up. (I use the term 'our' quite loosely, as it never seems to happen when I attend functions on my own - you listening dearest?) The second we turned into my friend's cul de sac I knew something was amiss. Basically because there were only two cars in the designated areas and the house somewhat quiet and dimly illuminated for what was normally one of the events of the year. We coded ourselves into the main gates and somewhat tentatively approached the front door. As we reached them they were swung open and there stood our host, ushering a couple out accompanied by 'lovely to see you' and 'come again soon' phrases, as they steered them with barely disguised relief out through the door. Hovering in the background stood our hostess, looking quite exhausted and what was immediately and glaringly apparent, neither of them in any way dressed for a party! When they looked up and saw me and 'er looking as though we'd just stepped out of Selfridge's window their expressions were actually a picture. If I could have captured that particular moment on camera I'd definitely have got the smudge of the year award. Their faces portrayed just about the whole gambit. Disbelief followed by shock, total amazement and finally despair. In truth they were actually saying goodbye to the last guests to leave, having had them stay overnight and most of the day from the party of the NIGHT BEFORE - Arghhhh! You got it folks; the Grahams had done it again and were not in fact one hour late, we were actually twenty five hours late - something of a record even for us - and we couldn't have arrived at a worst time. With the departure of these two final guests our beleaguered host and hostess were both ready to just about drop from exhaustion and probably hit the sack or at least the settee. And suddenly, lo and behold, here stood two more guests, all polished and gleaming, clutching gifts and ready to rock n roll. We were without doubt their worst nightmare! I will at this stage cut a long one short and tell you that, once they had recovered from the initial shock, these two lovely people insisted we stayed, rounded up the considerable 'left overs' from the night before, broke out the bubbly and wined and dined us for the next few hours. It was all made even more enjoyable by the fact that with no distractions or guests to attend to we had each others undivided attention and the social intercourse was truly unforgettable. Very many belated happies to you Jilly. You and 'your indoors' are a truly remarkable couple. Just give us a quick reminder about a week before the next one would ya!?

Keep the Faith

Love Leapy.

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