John Wilkinson woke up
To be honest, the day was already off to a cracking start. When you reach the age of one hundred and eighteen, simply waking up can be counted as an achievement.
First, it was time for a bit of a service: he pried open his left eyeworking fine, then the rightcloudy. A splash of water, a few drops, and it was good as new. He bent everything that would bend, oiled what wouldnt. A quick check of reverse and forward, some neck diagnostics. Once he was satisfied that everything still turned and clicked properly, he gave a little tap dancetwo steps, three clapsand began his day.
At eight oclock, right on schedule, hed get a call from the Pension Service.
Lydia, good morning! croaked the birthday boy cheerfully into the phone.
And good morning to you, John Wilkinson, Lydia replied in a tone heavy with sympathy. How are you feeling today?
No complaints at all, John grinned into the receiver.
Thats a pity, John. Youve already got me written up five times this year! You know, its been thirty years since you switched from your private pension to the state one!
Sorry about that. So, did I hear rightan increase this month?
Yes, an increase her voice sounded as mournful as Pierrot. Are you sure youre not working on the side anywhere? Just checking
No such luck, Lydia. I have more than enough money to get by.
Ah, never mind All the best to you she trailed off and hung up.
At nine oclock, John would sit down for breakfast with his great-great-grandson, who didnt live with him, but always let himself in with his own key. Upon entering, hed start measuring up the placesometimes the kitchen, sometimes the bathroom. Then hed sit, working out material costs and sketching out furniture.
Today, hed come without his tape measureforgot it.
Take your grandfathers from the dresser, John suggested, with a wistful chuckle, and poured some tea into the pot.
The man only sighed and sat down to enjoy his famous great-great-grandfathers fry-up.
By ten oclock, the old man stepped out for a smoke by the entrance.
Oy! Johnny! Still puffing away? You do know smoking can cause The neighbour trailed off, staring at the lively pensioner whod started smoking at the age most people die from what can cause.
Were off to London today.
What for?
Well take a ride on the Underground, pop to Trafalgar Square, have a look at Big Ben before they cover him up.
Whats there to see? Big Bens Big Ben.
Have you seen it yourself, then?
Oh yes, he once came to our village.
In a coffin?!
Nope, in a carriage.
Tell me, how old are you really, Johnny?
Turned eighteen this year, John mumbled, puffing on his filter.
Get out of here.
True! I just stayed on for a second term.
Well, happy coming-of-age, then!
Cheers, John replied as he made his way back inside.
At eleven, the manager at BT called, practically in tears, begging him to switch his tariff. The one John was on only existed for him now, and if you converted it to todays money, it was actually costing the companyso much so that BT was actually paying him a little.
By five, John was at the supermarket. On his birthday, the hypermarket offered a discount equal to your age. John picked up a cake, a kilo of bananas, and a widescreen telly. With the change, he called for a taxi and some porters.
At seven, the coroners office rang to finally ask him to retrieve his insurance documents and slippers.
By eight, the guests had arrived. John laid out an impressive spread, switched on his brand-new television, and poured the wine.
Toasts were few and far between. His guests werent sure what else to wish him, so they simply got up and took turns raising their glasses.
At ten oclock, the police showed up, asking him to keep the noise down, as elderly neighbours lived next door. The birthday boy answered the door, causing the officers a moment of existential confusion.
John went to bed closer to midnight, once the exhausted guests had dispersed to their homes or, for some, the hospital. Smiling at the darkness, he slipped off his finger a small golden ringhis secret for long lifeand put it beneath his pillow. On it was delicately engraved, a magical inscription made at his late wifes request: Live for us both.
And thats just what he did.
Sometimes the greatest gift we can give is to carry on living, cheerfully and fully, not only for ourselvesbut for those who no longer can.
