My secret teenage diary 1974 October (ii) - in which I was very miserable, developed a new love interest and had a nice birthday.

16th (Wed)
Better at school - sorted out panto a bit - doing Peter Pan. I'm in an awful mood still - I'm bogged down with work and I'm lazy and I've got a constant headache. You see I've got  no will power to make me work. Went to dentist. He's new and very nice.

17th
Had chem test - not too bad - really!! Better mood but life is still getting me down. Went to a meeting of 6th form committee. Got tickets for dance. You know something? I fancy SG a bit. In fact, quite a lot. He wears a black mac and blushes a lot. Dry sense of humour.

18th (Fri)
not too bad really today. Went to see Crabtree - we can sell tickets for the dance. Went out with G. Feel as if I am just drifting along and my life is being moulded by bossy people. I'm being carried along and I'm lonely.

19th (Sat)
I worked. How can anyone be so fickle and 2-faced as me? Not sure about G. We went out and I got home really late. Mum was mad with me. She's always moaning. I'm always weepy.

20th
Don't know how to ask dad again about Speech day*. I feel very nervous - I'm scared and I'm sick of everything We bathed Lady and I ended up shouting at everyone. Oh Diary, you've got a lot of my tears on you. Maybe next week will be better.

21st (Mon)
No tears tonight. I haven't got any left. Dad says he won't do a speech on Speech Day. HELL. Am I being selfish expecting him to? We're all going to Baileys on Thursday. Why would anything go right?

22nd
Oh what-ho, jolly good ol' chum! Just been to the Boy's Speech day. Nerve-wracking but nice. At the reception afterwards I was introduced to millions of people. Posh. I sidled away to Deputy Head Boy and co and nattered to them. Don't know what Crabtree thought.

23rd
Feeling happier. Building up for my birthday. Feeling very very guilty because I fancy SG like mad. He phoned me and talked for ages, but he seems shy in meetings.

24th - My birthday!
Triffic day. Got loads of birthday cards and some pressies at school. Ju got me a fluffy elephant called Humphrey and a lovely book called 'you're my kind of friend'. I was upset because we seemed to have drifted apart. S & C got me a purse and P got me  Snoopy letter paper. W got me some smellies. Had test in Biol. OK. Went to Baileys with Ju and S, P and H and C. We had a great time dancing. I had too much to drink. S stayed over at ours. Very tired, but happy.

25th (Fri)
Broke up at dinner time for half term. In evening went for meal with G. He got me a lovely silver pendant. Happy. We went to Royal Toby in Middleton and I had a massive steak that I couldn't eat.

26 (Sat)
At Hardcastle's. Miss Hoodless away with laryngitis - lying in too much damp grass on holiday with Harry, Mr ashton said!! - Cheek!! G's mum and dad bought me a Mamas and Papas LP. Happy and content.

27th (Sun)
Wasted day, did nowt.

28th
Went to town, got some material to start a dress. Signed a petition about the market hall - made me feel good and adult. Norma got me a weekend case, a record case and a Beatles LP for birthday. Nice!

29th
Did some hmwrk, then some sewing, and then went to Spastics evening at Heathbank with W. At 10.30, Ju phoned - yeah! She's coming round tomorrow.

30th
Nice day - didn't do much.

31st
Few of us from committee went out for a drink - had great time. G not happy - he wants me on a leash.


*Commentary
20th - Because I was Head Girl, dad had to give a speech at Speech day. He didn't want to. He was very shy and had never done any public speaking. We were out of our depth. I was mortified by the idea that he might refuse to do it. Lady was our dog.

My secret teenage diary 1974 October (i) in which I finally get a record player, but Oldham Market Hall burns down and I cry.

October 1st (Tues) 
Got up at 6.30am to do some work and went to school early. Me and s had a talk about how we've all changed so much - E & J & me and s. Did a lot of hmwk at home, going to 6th form committee meeting tomorrow.

2nd
6th form meeting - v nice. More people there this time. RB kept quiet! PR was there too, and MP. Ju was away from school today. Don't know why. Shall I phone? Don't know how to tell Miss Crabtree about dance.

3rd
Ju still away. Hey, hey - I got my record player! We haven't put a plug on it yet though. I'm all excited. Miss Turner was v nice today. She helped me write my speech (my 'formal reply') for Boys' Speech Day. Discussed dresses and posters.

4th (Fri)
normal day at school. Life seems to be gathering speed. I went out with G. Was in bad mood on bus on way down. Met WP, who tried to cheer me up. G will have to get used to  my sulks. they're my worst fault (I think)

5th (Sat)
Near every one of my birthdays there is a disaster. I wonder if this was it? Oldham Market Hall got burnt down to nothing at 3am this morning. I was so shocked when I suddenly saw the charred frame. I was on the bus going to work. I cried.

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/nostalgia/market-destroyed-by-blaze-1145707

6th
Did some sewing, hmwk, nothing special. Played record player - something up with one of speakers, though - will have to phone Asda.

7th (Mon)
Back to school again. Still very sad about Market Hall - all those people - all that history - it's such a crying shame. Had another 6th form committee meeting. It was very good and funny. RC was there - who I was at infant school with! He's head boy of Blue-Coat school now. had a good time.

8th
Ju still away. S away too. We went to a film at film club after school 'Passion' Swedish - disappointing ending. Cousin Marion's daughter Susan came round with her boyfriend, M, who Ju used to go out with.

9th
No energy and lost temper today. Trying to organise pantomime and no-one is helpful. Hell.

10th 
(Thur) Took my record player back to Asda - got a new one which is okay.

11th
Ju came to school today - I really don't know what's up with her. Went to Tiffany's with G. He said he'd been thinking about marriage. He scared the daylights out of me.

12th (Sat)
Still worried about what G said. On my mind and I need to talk it over with someone.

14th (Mon)
Bloody awful day. Stomach pains and for some reason S had been opposing all my ideas. She's trying to organise my birthday do! Not happy! I'm miserable.

15th
Started off another rotten day but got better. This business with G and the idea of marriage getting me down. S and I had a row. I went off in a huff. Poured problems out on W. Talked to S about it later.