Thursday 2nd April 2015

Today I’m fetching Val, not seen since before Christmas, and we’re going to the Orleans Tower in Richmond for lunch and for me to collect a Jamaican artwork by Rudi Patterson (he who lived in a Notting Hill council flat and painted and painted Jamaica). Val said, ‘You can distribute Maundy Money while we’re there.’ I said, ‘But you’re just as Royal as I.’

Otherwise I had a breakfast meeting with Lord Arrowby at Borough Market. It very nearly didn’t happen. I texted to announce my arrival at 10 am. He goes: ‘I’m already here, having a Spanish full English.’ I protested. He says, ‘I’m very busy, you see.’ ‘Yes,’ I go, ‘seeing me.’

Anyway, there Lord Arrowby is in the cafe of which he is a Trustee or something, in blue cords which turn out to be from the same set as my swimming silvery off-white ones. ‘Did you know there’s a tiny branch of Paul Smith near here?’ He wants me to ski with him next year. I said Yes, if spared. But when I look at my summer schedule for travel I want to die. Somehow, of course, I’ll get through it. But at present I’m just gasping for October. Not to mention all the gardening to be done and outfits to be bought and worn. We picked over the forthcoming election. As a Government king-pin, he can’t comment of course. But he’s very concerned about budgets. The figures don’t add up, he says. I wondered whether he might not open Parliament if the Queen’s not up to it. He was keen. ‘I could wear Dolce e Gabbana just to wind up all those outraged Gays,’ he quipped. Such a delightful silly side.

Later in the day it emerged what ‘busy’ meant. Illustrated texts arrived from Lord Arrowby from various important centres such as Liberty’s. ‘Amazing Dries collection.’ He bought one piece and also an articulated jumper by Kenco. He’s seen below wearing it.

Lord Arrowby in Articulated Jumper by Kenco