POSH CHRISTMAS SHOPPING — 1967-1968: Diary of a Posh Schoolgirl

Dec 14

Dec 14 POSH CHRISTMAS SHOPPING

T H U R S D A Y, 1 4 D E C E M B E R

Decided eventually to go Christmas shopping in London with Dad and Chump, but felt rather awful about it. He went in to the office first, and we came in later. We had to wait an hour for him.

First we had lunch at Simpsons of Piccadilly: roast beef, Yorkshire pudding and chips, and banana milkshake. It cost a fortune and anyway I would have preferred to go to the Danish Food Centre. In Simpsons we got Ma a French turquoise umbrella with a pink stripe round the bottom, and a fantatsic fur hat with a fun bobble on the top. Walked to Liberty’s and I got a gorgeous white very woolly rug for Ma and Pa’s bedroom. I also saw a cotton scarf which I liked so much I got.

Went to Heals and Habitat but all we got was a salt-mill. Then we went to Fortnum & Mason to get the nightie set Daddy had ordered; lucky we went because they’re completely out of stock. We got a sweet cotton nightie instead and a pink dressing-gown which is more like a bed-jacket, very soft and lovely. I wanted to get Chump a bath cap but the cheapest was two guineas. Then had tea there – had to economise, to put it mildly!

“London makes me depressed because I feel such a frump against the sophisticated swinging crowd. ”

Dreadful traffic going home; the car got claustrophobic and I got a headache. When I think of the sort of boys there’ll be at Martha’s party compared to the gorgeous ones in London it makes me even more miserable. The sort of boy I adore is the tall, thin, hunched-forward type, with messy mod clothes, longish hair and a droopy moustache.

Had super buttered toast for tea, and rang up Anya about the first-form party tomorrow. I've had this marvellous idea for a party game – identifying pop-stars!! Chump helped me to cut out 16 in all.

Discussed a dog at dinner. I think Ma’s coming round to the idea.