SAVING RETIRED MARTIN’S BIRTHDAY

December 2024. Cambridge.

“Hope you have a lovely birthday (22/12)” said the messages.

In all honesty, not only my worst birthday but one of the worst days of my life, and I sat through a Polish midnight mass 8 years ago.

The Retired Martin family arrived in Waterbeach to find Mum sitting on the floor, having decided not to call the help button because she didn’t want to ruin my birthday.

“Your Tunis cake is on the table” says Mum, serenely.

It’s of secondary importance, but that Tesco resurrection of my traditional ’80s birthday cake (Madeira sponge plus a million calories of cooking chocolate) is an abomination.

Mum’s resurrection from floor to armchair with aid of two sons and wise counsel from Council staff was better, but we’d long written off exciting travel plans (Hillingdon, since you’re wondering), and it wasn’t till we’d put Doris in bed we could contemplate tea at our favourite Thai pub.

The Wrestlers miraculously found us a table for 5 on a Sunday evening otherwise fully booked.

You remember the Wrestlers. Less of a pub now, but at least they stick to the knitting beer wise.

Nice people,

and the green beef curry,

and Pad Thai is, I swear this, exactly the same as it was when the Thai chef arrived opposite the United ground 35 years ago.

I’d like to tell you how good the beer was, but a son’s first duty is to his mum and I drove back to check she was asleep before attempting to catch up with Mrs RM.

But be assured, I managed.

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Published by retiredmartin

Retired NHS, doing long walks around UK and the world to record the great bits. Focused on Good Beer Guide pubs and live music.

10 thoughts on “SAVING RETIRED MARTIN’S BIRTHDAY”

  1. Not a great thing to have happen. Have you seen the body alarms that claim to sense a fall? I’ve seen them but have never really tested them.

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  5. Not calling for help, because she didn’t want to ruin your birthday, is the sort of selfless action that mothers (and fathers) do when thinking about their children, no matter what age both parties are at the time. Despite our aspirations to the contrary, birthdays are just another day, and the main thing is your mum is OK, and you arrived in time to help her back on her feet.

    I spent my 39th birthday at East Grinstead’s Queen Victoria Hospital, waiting with Mrs PBT’s, whilst a two-year-old Matthew underwent surgery, to re-attach a partially severed finger, that he somehow managed to catch in a door. Not exactly my best birthday, but still one to remember!

    How is your dad coping with what’s going on? as the situation can’t be easy for him either.

    ps. I haven’t seen, let alone tasted, a Tunis cake in years.

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    1. Wise words, Paul.

      My Dad is (I think) very settled in his care home in Waterbeach. I visit him most days at the moment, so he’s got a familiar face to smile at. Seems quite happy and well cared for.

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      1. I did wonder about your father, Martin, so pleased to learn he is being well taken care of. Good that you were able to find a decent care home, and a local one, as well.

        I remember looking around, with my two sisters, for a suitable place for dad. Not an easy task, but you know when you’ve found the right one.

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