It’s the eve of our trip to Africa. We said our farewells at The Temperance, Marylebone earlier on in the evening. My girlfriends Meg and Jeannine kept on stroking me and giving me the tilted head look – I get the impression that they don’t think I’m up for this travelling lark, though they are very impressed when I proudly announce that I haven’t even packed one pair of heels and I’m leaving behind my GHD’s – I seem to have convinced them that I am Michael Jackson’s original Liberian Girl…until a small fly lands in my eye and I totally freak out.
The talk soon turns to insects – according to them the mosquitos in Liberia have teeth. When it all get s a bit much and I look like I might actually cry, Meg tries valiantly to divert my attention “So I thought I was having a heart attack today” The diversion worked I am momentarily distracted from the thought of my certain death at the hands of Liberian mosquitos (yes apparently they have hands too) until Meg finally admits that the pain was actually caused by her bra which was on too tight “Are you going to wear a bra in Africa, Laura?’ My horrified look is answer enough.
We say our goodbyes to our concerned looking friends. They all hug us a little longer and harder than usual, and look deep into our eyes as if etching our faces into their memories. It’s obvious that they are doubtful we will make it back…there is a rumour circulating the pub that they eat Westerners in Liberia (I know full well this rumour was started by Ben Jamie after watching too much You Tube, so I’m not worried. About that anyway)
We have coerced Ben Jamie into staying at our flat to ensure that he actually makes it to the airport (he’s not a huge fan of flying) The team bonding starts early when, in the middle of the night I hear a loud bang and instinctively jump out of bed, despite the fact I am practically naked. I run into the hallway and straight into Ben Jamie. It’s all a bit embarrassing really, lots of hands over eyes on Ben’s part and ‘What the hell are you doing?’ looks from Simon. I meanwhile take on the stance of Barbara Windsor in the Carry On Film where her bra pinged off.
Fortunately it’s dark enough for some of my modesty to have been protected, and anyway I have a feeling that modesty is going to be low on the forthcoming agenda, so it’s probably good that I got in some practice…
Tuesday, 8 May 2007
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