Thoughts.com Blogs - The Physio, Coco the Clown and Me

Some weeks ago I had an appointment with the physio in town followed by lunch with a good friend of mine. Now the friend is someone from my business past so I sort of wanted to look smart again, just for once. I have got so used to wearing casual jeans and sweaters and sort of out of the way of the smart suit. (In fact, if the truth was told I got a severe warning from my kids to throw out a sweater I was rather fond of. Green, warm and cosy with a big knitted sheep on the front. But so cumfy! They told me in no uncertain terms it had to go.) So I compromised with some smart black pants, black heels, a cashmere polo neck and a smart coat with some artistic jewellery. The finishing touch was a new lip gloss I had just bought and not tried before. It was quite brave of me as I don't usually wear red, but the sweater was black and I thought the red would add a touch of drama. Anyway, the whole effect was a whole lot more pleasing than my usual look.

When I got there I was told my usual physio was off ill but a locum called Andy would see me. I was sort of grateful I had made the effort when I met him as Andy was quite young and ever so slightly good looking. We had a chat and he asked me to lie face down on the couch with my face through a hole surrounded by the paper towel, something I was used to doing on previous visits. He continued chatting to me as he worked on my shoulder before asking me to turn round on my back. I shielded my eyes from the light but did notice him give me a rather peculiar look. However, he worked a little more on my neck and then it was time to go. Out at reception the girl at the desk did give me a strange look as she made my next appointment. The door opened and someone spoke my name. I turned round and saw a man I hadn't seen for a couple of years but who used to frequent my gallery. Holywood is quite a small town, so a lot of people still recognise me. I was so glad I was wearing the smart outfit and felt quite confident as we discussed some of the paintings he had bought off me. He said how good it was to see me again and maybe we would meet again soon. I smiled and gave a cheery wave as I left.

On the way back to the car park I noticed a couple of passers by turn to give me a strange look. Now believe me, I am way past the stage where I imagine people are looking cause they like what they see, but I did think maybe my necklace was causing attention. It was a hand made silver and turquoise cross on a large chain with a garnet in the centre and I have always been very fond of it. But no.......I was wrong! I got into the car and prepared to drive off, checking my driving mirror first. What I saw horrified me. I was covered in red lipstick over my face like Coco the clown. It was quite grotesque, smeared round my lips and onto my chin. I gazed in horror and honestly, I hardly recognised myself. In fact I was so mortified I actually ducked down in the car before anyone else saw me. I hurriedly checked the glove box and found my grandson's baby wipes which I rubbed hard over my face. The remaining pink still looked rather odd. I thought back to the young physio, the receptionist and my old customer and died with shame. How could they let me out looking like that? I got mad and then I saw the funny side of it. I re applied my lipstick (not the red one this time but a rather subdued pink one I kept in the car), brushed my hair and headed off to the restaurant to meet my friend. She howled with laughter when I told her.

Rachael, my usual physio came back last week. I got a distinct feeling when I told her about my embarassing episode that she already knew. However, she did promise me she was going out that day to purchase a mirror for her treatment room. A bit late for me somehow but then again I don't think I could ever wear that horrible gloss again. I shudder when I think of it. Another thing to tell Paddy Jack when he's old enough to realise his granny is really quite mad!