"Get Worse Soon"

  

“Get Worse Soon”

I once amused Vladimir and Vera by recounting a Dennis the Menace adventure in which Dennis had sent a “Get Worse Soon” card to his favourite enemy, Walter the Softy.  They liked the idea of a "Get Worse Soon" card.

Some weeks later I was struck down by a heavy cold and had to stay at home in my flat.  The postman delivered a card and it was a “GET WORSE SOON” card sent by Vera.   She had bought a Get Well Soon card and crossed out “Well” in favour of “Worse”.  I was tremendously amused.  But Vera was full of contrition next time I saw her.

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Vera did not seem to think I worked hard at my academic career and once said it was "no work and all pay".

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A few weeks before her death, she asked me where I worked these days.  I said, the University of Westminster.  She said, “they must have had a black-out” (i.e. at the job interview).   I fell about laughing.

Vera’s sense of humour was not for everyone, but I found it extremely funny.