August 1989 and the perils of the #Ealingcomedies - A tragicomic tale of Woe

Let me take you back, back to the heady summer of #1989. It had been a thrilling one. Having hung out with the cousins for most of it, I was happy. Ross had just finished St Peter’s heading to #SheenSchool in September and I was finally going to make it upstairs. Yes my friends-the #juniors. I couldn’t wait. I had already purchased my brand spanking new #CountDuckula stationary set complete with a see through pencil case, I was all set to make an impression.

It was a glorious Sunday in August and I was filled with summer vibes. I had smashed in a swim, looked on longingly at the squash courts and headed back up to #HowardHouse for a roast.

I bopped around to #Bros on the CD player and then turned my attention to the Sunday tv. Dad had been watching the Belgian #Grandprix with #Senna winning once more, then it was my turn. Ross was on the #Sega Megadrive so I had free reign. I avidly switched to the #Beeb to catch the Sunday afternoon vintage film show.

There it was-the most terrifying film I had ever heard of. Yes. Passport to Pimlico. Was it true? Did I need one? How was I going to get to school? What if I tripped up again, would I be seen at Westminster Children’s hospital? Was that on the borders of Westminster main?

Filled with trepidation and worry, I decided I needed some #retailtherapy to calm things down. I managed to wangle 50p out of Dad, put on my pineapple themed roller skates from #ToysRUS and pressed play on the best of the #Bangles on my Sony #Walkman.

I rushed into the lift and promptly skated through to the gardens with all the energy I could muster. Finally I reached the safety of the arcade and there it was-the shop. I liked the shop. I was allowed in with my roller skates as the fella knew me-I spent all my pocket money there so he knew I was good for it.

I wheedled my way through to the magazine section to sneaky peek at #SmashHits. When was Now 14 coming out? I was unsure. I decided I would write to #BluePeter asking if they knew. I did this every week by the way, I never got a response #stillpeeved.

Then suddenly, he walked in. I regularly followed him around the basement area you see. He was the greatest #ninja in the history of #PinkPanther. Yes my friends-Cato. At that moment I had an epiphany. If Burt Kwok wasn’t stressed about the #Pimlico passport debacle then I didn’t need to be. I spent my 50 pence on some football stickers and then went home, safe in the knowledge that I could always jump out of a cupboard and surprise the Rozzers if they decided to evict me. All was going to be ok.

True Story of Erica Guyatt, Age 7, Dolphin Square, Pimlico, London Town 1989