Moving Day

Mrs Jean D Cooper

I woke up that morning feeling some trepidation. The removal men were coming at 8am and the house move that had been planned for some months was about to take place. There was only one snag. The solicitor had unexpectedly told me 2 days previously that an expected fax had not arrived and there was a possibility that the removal men might have to return everything to the house if the fax did not arrive by or on the removal day.

I was told to go ahead with the removal and all the time waiting for a phone call from the solicitor saying yes or no. During the 2 days I made regular calls to the solicitor anxiously asking if everything could go ahead as planned. One would say yes, the other no. I was bewildered. Everything had been going so smoothly while we prepared for the big day and now such uncertainty.

I had spoken to my buyer only a few days previously and he had given no indication of there being anything wrong.

The men arrived and after several house the house was empty and they set off for the new address. Still no phone call from the solicitor so I had to wait in the empty house and tell the men to wait for me at the new house.

They say that moving house is one of the most stressful experiences in one's life and the uncertainty added to this. I am an elderly person handling this move on my own and the thought of the complications that could arrive if the awaited phone call said NO, was very worrying. What if the men were very annoyed at having to return everything to the house and would it be difficult to arrange another date soon for the removal? What if the house buyers had planned to move in that day? The utility companies had all been informed of the expected move and given dates for changing supplies. I phoned the solicitor but was told the fax still had not been received. It was a hot day and I was exhausted and sat in the dusty, empty house, waiting and wondering. What if I had to phone and tell the men to come back? What dread!

I waited longer and at last the phone rang. It was yes, go ahead and collect the keys. The fax had arrived.

What relief. I phoned for a taxi and off to the solicitors to collect the keys. While travelling the men phoned me to ask about the delay as they were becoming impatient.

At long last I arrived at the new house and opened the door and all my worldly goods were carried inside. The washing machine and TV could not be connected due to several complications but apart from that everything was okay.

I spent the rest of the day resting and recovering.