October 24

Just after lunch, a couple turns up in a silver car.  The woman who gets out looks very glamorous.  She greets me like an old friend and says that she stayed with us two years ago.  Her name is Monika, with a 'k', and she is from Ireland.  I do actually remember the name, although she does not look familiar.  She would like to stay for three nights.  However, we have people booked to stay on Saturday so this is not possible.  I go back inside the house to get her my friend's phone number.  

'It's Monika,' I say to John.  'With a 'k'. She's from Ireland.  Do you remember her?'

'No.'
'She came to visit her father two years ago?'
'No.'

Back at the gate, Monika says she would like to stay two nights.  Could she have a discount for being a faithful customer?  I'm not good with deals so I call John.

'Monika,' says John.  'Good to see you again! How's your dad?'
'You remember me?'
'Of course.'

We offer Monika a discount, but remind her we do have power cuts and, when that happens, the internet will only be available in the house.

Monika's face changes.  She talks to someone in the car.  She comes back to us and asks for our number.

'I'll phone you.  Definitely by the end of today, I will phone you.'

That is the last we see or hear of Monika, with a 'k' from Ireland.