A drink with Dr. Tizzard

Yes, I was up bright and early this morning and I'd just finished packing my holdall when Winn came in to say there were no trains running as two of the drivers had witlows. Well I was in a state of flux as I had to get back for an appointment with Dr. Tizzard. He wanted to see me before I came away but I had to put him off. 'Winn, what ever shall I do?'

'Well,' she said. 'You could always hitch-hike.'

'I haven't hitched my hike for years but I'll give it a go.' Just two hours later, there I was at the side of the road, looking like a lost soul. All that passed by was a herd of cows, a vicar on a bicycle and an old lady pushing a pram of firewood. Then suddenly, a shy retiring Army dispatch rider pulled up on his motorcycle. 'Hop on,' he cried, 'I'm sure I'm going your way.' And he was.

Hey ho, up hill, down dale. What a gay day, I thought. I haven't gone as fast as this since the day Everard and I were cycling down to Monks Bottom and the brakes failed on the tandem. But of course I should have realised that things were going too well, and lo and behold, just as we were going through Worksop the engine seized up. Well the first thing I did was phone Dr. Tizzard. 'Doctor,' I said, 'I've just had a breakdown in Worksop.'

'That's not unusual,' He said,' try and get a grip of yourself, take a sedative and get here as soon as you can. Tell me have you been crying as yet?'

'No,' I said.

'You will,' He replied. 'You will,'

'No, Doctor. I think you've got the wrong end of the stick, I haven't had a nervous breakdown but I've been traveling with a friend and he's just seized up.'

'Not to worry, there's a little cafe in Worksop, go there and have a cup of tea, I'll send a car.'

Well, I found the cafe, It was called The Trusting Chef, which I though a very strange name, especially as the only teaspoon was on a chain at the counter and all the tablecloths were nailed down!

To be continued . . .