Just A Wee Room

It won't come as any great surprise to reveal that living on an island has its drawbacks. For instance, being a recent schoolleaver I can vouch for the difficulties of finding work in a small isolated community. But perhaps I've been luckier than many because the local authority have, for reasons best known to themselves, built me a small house, near middle pier, in which I can while away my period of unemployment. It is nicely situated, has two small rooms and a broom cupboard, a back and a front door, hot and cold water and electricity. Moreover, I pay no rent. In fact, I am being paid a small stipend for living here, in exchange, I think, for keeping the place clean. From time to time, I receive promises from distant authorities of cleaning materials and a uniform and boots but nothing has, as yet, arrived. As I sit here in the evenings, with my electric kettle and my radio, I often fall to wondering on the twist of fate that led me to this. And what sort of uniform could possibly go with a little home like this?! It's all too good to last I suppose. It has to end soon - especially as they have erected a little sign outside saying 'TO LET'.