Peggy’s Place
Peggy, die Wirtin von Spotlights ganz eigenem Pub in London, bereitet sich auf eine hochinteressante Konversation mit ihrem Mann Phil vor. Von INEZ SHARP
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George: Can you move the screen a bit? I can’t see you.
Peggy: Is that better?
George: Not much, but at least I can see it’s you. Now, tell me about Phil.
Peggy: I need to make myself a strong cup of tea first.
George: It sounds like it’s going to be an interesting tale. I think I’m going to have a proper drink.
Peggy: You could have come into the pub. George: Call me paranoid, but two of my colleagues spent weeks in intensive care, so I’m not taking any risks.
Peggy: Why is the kettle taking so long? George: You know what they say: a watched kettle...
Peggy: Ah, it’s boiling at last. So, it all began when I sent Phil out to get some staples — you know, pasta, rice and so on. It was just before lockdown and I’d already sent Sean home.
George: Have you heard from him, by the way? Peggy: Yeah, he’s fine. He applied to be a helper for the NHS, and when they found out that he can cook, they asked him to be part of a catering team. George: But he is coming back, isn’t he? Peggy: Yes, of course. But right now, there isn’t much for him to do here. So, I just told him I’d get in touch when things pick up again. George: Helen texted me to say she’s incredibly busy and that just trying to calm her patients is a full-time job.
Peggy: I wonder how she’s doing. I really wouldn’t want to have been in the nursing profession these past few months. George: I’m sure she’ll get back to us soon. Now, tell me about Phil. That’s really why I’m calling.
Peggy: So, anyway, Phil goes off with his shopping list and, three hours later, he’s still not home. Of course, I’m getting really worried by this point. He’s left his phone here, so I can’t call him.
George: I know he’s always forgetting it. He’s left it in my car twice.
Peggy: Then this policeman turns up. Says there’s been an accident and that Phil’s been badly injured, but that I can’t come to the hospital because of corona. George: All I know is that he had a head injury. Was it that bad?
Peggy: Put it this way: there’s definitely something wrong with his head.
George: How do you mean?
Peggy: It turns out my husband was making eyes at our new neighbour, Diane. George: The one who lives in the flat above you?
Peggy: Yes, her!
George: I’ve seen her around. She is very easy on the eyes.
Peggy: Apparently! So, Phil is busy giving her the glad eye and steps out in front of a car.
George: Ouch!
Peggy: Yup — a broken leg, two broken ribs and some serious concussion, just because he was ogling Diane.
George: He must have felt pretty stupid. Peggy: Oh, he doesn’t know that I know what happened. He told me he’d tripped on the pavement.
George: Perhaps he did.
Peggy: No, the driver of the car told me that Phil stepped out backwards on to the road, while smiling at an attractive blonde woman.
George: Are you going to talk to him? Peggy: Oh, yes, I’m going to talk to him.
“Three hours later, Phil’s still not home”