Confusion of the worst kind

He is asleep on the floor. What a silly thing to do – get up! Heavens above! I can’t get any sense out of him! Maybe them next door can talk some sense into him. ‘Alex is asleep on the floor’ I said, but don’t ask me who I said it to.

I wish I had kept it quiet. Telling them next door had caused such a fuss! I wish I had given him a damn good shake, or a kick. Alex had told me to go to bed last night and I did as I was told. I did not get up until it was daylight, I know that he gets angry if I do. I needed to go to the toilet. So why did he sleep on the floor when he has his own nice comfortable bed? And why all the fuss, just tell him to go to his bed – he never listens to me.

Who are these strangers in the kitchen, they must be embarrassed they’ve have all worn the same outfit. Tch what a faux pas. Navy blue so becoming and white patches, you’d think they could at least say hello I live her too! Oh for goodness sake what is that they are trying to squeeze in the back door? Be careful of the paint work and the polished floor – I just washed that yesterday be careful. Get your hands off me what are you doing? Alex get up stop being so lazy – tell these people to leave. We haven't even had breakfast yet.

Alex, where are you going? You lazy no good being wheeled out like a baby, get up. Just let me get my coat. It is cold and I haven’t had time to get out of my nightie, what do you mean come next door? I have to go with Alex.

Get your hands off me. Oh they have gone – well it is my job to go and get the Age, Alex wants to read it, just let me get dressed. Leaved me a lone no I don’t want a cup of tea I have to go and get the paper. I don’t want to hold your hand, leave me alone. I am sorry I didn’t mean to hurt you. Alright I will go too; I suppose I have to eat. Look at the pretty flowers!

That’s a lovely cup of tea, no I don’t take sugar, but I would like a piece of toast - yes Vegemite would be nice. They are not my clothes, my clothes are home of course I have to go home, Alex will be wondering where I am. Oh alright another cuppa would be lovely.

Who did you say you were dear? Police! Oh good heavens, has there been an accident? Do I have a what? Children, no I don’t think so, but, what did you say dear? Oh, a daughter, do I? Vonnie yes, Vonnie she lives on a farm! Oh no don’t bother her, I haven’t got time to go and visit, don't be silly, I have to go and get the Age. Alex will be furious. Yes I suppose I should get out of my nightie, forgive my appearance, how terrible of me. Would you? How nice – you are very young – what did you say you were? A Policemen! They do make them young these days, don't they!?

Vonnie what are you crying for! For heaven’s sake I have things to do. Yes she lives next door, she is my friend - I am not going to say goodbye I am not going anywhere. Leave those things alone, they are mine not yours put them down. Don’t you yell at me, who is he? Husband? What did you say his name was again? He is driving and you will sit with me in the back. Oh really I don’t have time for all this I have to go to the toilet.

That’s a nice car, what a pretty colour - its unusual isn’t it? What would you say the colour was? Sorry for speaking!. Alright I will sit down, help me with this belt. Thank you. Where is Alex? Later, alright, we are lucky with the weather aren’t we? Who’s at home? Good Heavens, that's a lot of people. Oh we are there, hello who are you? I can sleep here thank you, please don’t yell I know. It is getting dark. I don't know whether I am Arthur or Martha. Who said they are sorry – what for? Oh I am tired I think I’ll go to bed.

A funeral! I don’t want to get the car again. What for? I don’t want to hold your hand. Who are these people? Aren’t the flowers pretty? Hello, very nice to see you, yes thank you I am well. I am awfully tired and would love to have a cup of tea.

Where are you putting me – a home, but I have a home - I want to GO home. I have to go and get the paper – I want to go for a walk, who are you again? Where am I? Do you know where I need to go? Oh no! I can’t help it; YOU wouldn’t tell me where the toilet is! I don’t know who you are! Get your hands off me, stop it, leave me alone!

I am tired, I can hardly open my eyes, I don’t want to get up and have a shower – please let me sleep. Open my mouth – oh yes thank you that tastes nice, some medicine? I have to go to sleep. I am so tired. Get dressed? Just let me sit in the chair. Who are you again? Daughter, Vonnie, visit - oh that’s nice. How are you? Yes it is alright but I would like to go home. I am tired goodbye. I am going to bed, just let me sleep.

Alexander Cameron February 1900 – March 1976

Tess Cameron July 1900 – December 1976