Benefactor's Nightmare

Being Aussie and a nomad with a wish to travel far,
there comes a time when money’s scarce no matter who you are.
I was in the north of England when the bank declared I’m broke,
so I went to seek employment from someone who needs a bloke. 

It was a hospital in Liverpool that needs a cleaner in the wards.
In there I met some nurses and we struck quite similar chords,
for they were Aussies just like me with an accent just like mine,
so it felt good to be in company with those still speaking strine.

Because the language of the locals sort of takes some time to learn,
and there are words still spoken that for us still twist and turn,
so they must be spoken slower for their message to come through,
and we all got into trouble when the scouse accent was true. 

It was not because our work is poor, for we had pulled our weight,
and punctuality was not bought up because we’re never late.
Our manners were impeccable but we were deemed as rude.
They said that we took liberty with a patient’s unique food. 

But we were only saving money for our travelling overseas,
and had gathered in the kitchen where we’d eat the awful teas
that are provided for the patients, and of course us staff as well, 
though, some days a visitor would save us eating food from hell.

It was their way of saying thanks for the caring that was done,
for they saw me help the nurses when their need was on to run,
and their loved ones had told them of the grub we’re forced to eat,
so through the ill once getting well, we would get a special treat. 

But oh the gremlins got us in the kitchen there one night,
when a lady fronted us with, what I’d say a lovely sight.
She held a pork pie in her hands - the favoured food I love,
and with a smile she said to me “Would you ‘eat this pie up ‘Guv’!”

I placed it in the oven and arranged three plates as well.
We didn’t waste one single crumb while taking in the wondrous smell.
Then our benefactor walked back in; her scouse was very clear …  
when she looked in the oven - “Is me ‘usbands pie ‘ot yet  m’dear?”
Copyright © | Year Posted 2021

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Ball Avatar
September 8, 2021 at 7:07 PM
Oh my goodness. I thought she was asking you to eat it up but she was asking you to heat it up for the old man. Big Ooops. I understand completely. Sometimes I have trouble understanding an accent too. This is too funy. Loved it. God Bless, JB
Laurie Avatar
September 12, 2021 at 8:03 PM
Hello Judy ... yes, a big case of oops! indeed. Accents, especially over the phone are my bugbear - thank you Judy - Lindsay
Canerdy Avatar
September 3, 2021 at 9:12 PM
Linday, you are a master story teller. What a delicious misunderstanding! Janice
Laurie Avatar
September 6, 2021 at 8:52 PM
Hello Janice ... it certainly is, and something to laugh about at a later date. Thank you for your fine comment Janice - Lindsay
Woodrow Avatar
August 27, 2021 at 5:27 PM
LOL!!!those darn dialects and accents! As if English wasn’t confusing enough! :)
Laurie Avatar
September 6, 2021 at 8:50 PM
You are certainly right Susan. Europeans I have worked with reckon it's the hardest language to learn with many words having double meanings etc. Thanks for commenting Susan - Lindsay
Proxenos Avatar
August 27, 2021 at 1:04 PM
Hi Lindsay, No really, how did she dare, and you all ate it! Oh my gosh Lindsay, if it is so, glad you all survived. Hugs and blessings, Jennifer.
Laurie Avatar
September 6, 2021 at 8:47 PM
Hello Jennifer ... even the same language needs interpreting at times. Fiction Jennifer, but I can imagine this has happened a number of times - thanks again Jennifer - Lindsay
Hinshaw Avatar
August 27, 2021 at 12:56 PM
Your wit is incomparable, Lindsay. LOLS as usual. Keep on writing for our reading pleasure - Bob
Laurie Avatar
September 6, 2021 at 8:42 PM
Hello Bob ... thanks for commenting. I do enjoy writing humorous story telling nearly as much as I enjoy reading it. I'll keep it up until the ideas run out I guess - thank you Bob - Lindsay
Leffanta Avatar
August 27, 2021 at 11:39 AM
Well crafted, Lindsay! A missing "haitch" can prelude Hell . . ..
Laurie Avatar
September 6, 2021 at 8:39 PM
Hello Rico ... I guess we all stray a little from the perfect English language and at times I'm bloody glad we do - thanks again Rico - Lindsay
Hankins Avatar
August 27, 2021 at 9:03 AM
Oh my! I think this went where I thought it did. I don't think I would like that shepherd's pie! (chuckle)
Laurie Avatar
September 6, 2021 at 8:36 PM
Hello Milton ... I think I'd prefer the shepherd's pie to the hot tongue that was about to explode - thanks Milton - Lindsay
Cunningham Avatar
August 27, 2021 at 12:12 AM
Lol, Lost in translation, even I can't understand them. Bet it tasted lovely though haha. Tom
Laurie Avatar
September 6, 2021 at 8:34 PM
Hello Tom ... in England, the language appears to change every few miles. Obviously there's a reason for it, but with some I have no hope of understanding what has been said - thanks Tom - Lindsay
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