Charlie's dead

Boud, God's Squad is a Christian motorbiker club, founded in Australia by John Smith. 

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I've just finished reading Homecoming by Kate Morton. I almost gave up initially as it was a bit slow but I'm so glad I didn't as it built to a fascinating ending. A mother and three children are found dead - "as if they were sleeping" - by a waterhole in south Australia on Christmas Eve 1959. A fourth child, a young baby, is missing, assumed stolen away by wild dogs. Investigations conclude that the mother committed suicide/murder.

In 1918 a young journalist is called home from London as her grandmother in Australia has fallen and is in hospital. From there we eventually find out the true story behind the strange deaths. One aspect is well-signposted but the other details left me gasping. 

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The knickers I am wearing today have lace around the top - except they're old and it's coming away. So I told myself I would definitely throw them away when I've worn them. But then my head said, "You can't throw away dirty knickers!"

But if I wash them I know I'll end up putting them back in my drawer and wearing them again. 

I have just put a pair of (dirty) holey socks in the bin but that's different.

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According to Duolingo, "Does dim pannas yn uffern," meaning, "There are no parsnips in hell. 

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In the church kitchen on Sunday - I'd offered to help make teas and coffees - I noticed my fellow helper's slip was showing. I waved my finger and said, "What am I supposed to say? It's something about Charlie."

My friend looked at me, bemused. 

This morning I remembered the phrase I was looking for: Charlie's dead!

Does anyone else remember the phrase? Does anyone else still wear a petticoat?

According to t'internet it's been in use since at least the 1950s, although one explanation goes back a bit further in time. When King Charles 1 was executed Royalist supporting women were not able to go openly into mourning so they would let their petticoat show beneath their skirt as a token gesture. And, again according to t'internet, in Derby they would say, "Your father loves you better than your mother." Which is even less explicable.

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Last night and this morning I've been thinking that there are lots of places I 'belong' but I never feel fully belonging. I wonder if this sense of not quite included is because I always had a feeling of not quite belonging as a child growing up in an extended family.