I didn’t know what to do when I left school. But my careers master
kept muttering something about “two short planks” and so I took the hint and
became a carpenter.
It was only later that I learnt he meant I might be able to
get a job at the fruit-box factory in our village, making crates for apple
farmers.
Mind you, I followed his advice in one way – I only ever use
timber that’s been specially selected for the apple crates.
A couple of Christmases ago, I found a tape measure in my
cracker. It’s not quite as long as the one I have in my workshop, but it looks
prettier, so I take it whenever I’m measuring up a job. What I can’t understand
is that nothing I make ever quite fits.
But then, who cares? As long as I get the dosh.
And if anyone does complain – well, sod ’em!
