Saturday 24^th February, 2018 2100

I spoke too soon.

Brenda (my foreign affairs school liaison) called me today. Had she not done so on the day all teachers are supposed to be on or around school after the holiday it could almost have been a social call. But no, it was to check I was here, typical subterfuge and nothing to fool me, especially when I could have been in Beijing if I wished, returning Tuesday night seeing as my first class is actually Wednesday morning.

Oh, I got the usual how is your gas and electricity, how was your holiday etc and I played along, I was always going to be here. Of anyone here I was the last one who needed to be contacted.

However I took the bull by the horns and said ok, I will be calling you soon to see if I am fired at the end of term or I have another year. It was my turn to be taken aback.

Instead of saying ok I shall ask and get back to you, she told me Mr Zhang (the director) was worried about my age. My AGE? Hold on, they employed me when I was sacked BECAUSE of my age!

Guess what? It's nothing to do with my teaching ability or my popularity, it's all down to that bloody school trip and my being unable to walk as far, fast or high as the students and younger staff members! Suddenly because I can't compete in the staff 400m relay or take classes on trips up mountains I am a liability? Sadly in China ageism and disability discrimination is the norm but I cannot say I regard myself as slotting nicely into either category.

So now after keeping it quiet, I have disclosed the walking problem (complete with x-ray) and pointed out that my employment should not be terminated on whether I could run a half marathon or my birthdays have now become days to forget rather than celebrate. Instead they should ask if the students found the classes boring, my colleagues found me insufferable and whether I had helped the school out without demur when Jacob did a bunk – and will still be doing this coming term.

Angry? Certainly. Worried? Oh yes. Not as to whether I will get a better-paid job if necessary but because I hate change, moving costs money and it puts my summer plans in extreme jeopardy. I won't be going to England if I need to relocate, I won't be able to afford it.

I have asked for an early answer 1) So I can make representations 2) so I can lobby the two deans and 3) so I have time to organise another bloody job paying 50% more and in somewhere warmer.

Anyone of a similar age will know that uprooting is a pain quite apart from the cost and logistics, and ok the difference is, this time will not (if it happens) be as much a wrench as last time. It does though go to show that no matter what favours you do for Chinese schools (extra hours, unpaid work or whatever) they show no loyalty whatsoever. I am not surprised, just angry.

Age is now my enemy. I used to think time left on the planet was but now I have another more immediate foe.

I was a trifle despondent earlier but after Alice came for her dinner tonight I have brightened. If they sack me then I shall find other employment and probably earn considerably more. It does though annoy me that my summer plans may now be in ruins simply because I find it difficult to walk beyond a mile. Maybe I should dye my hair black and start having those hip injections just as their leaders in the Politburo do but I am in the real world and I project the real me.

Que Sera Sera. I will give them a week or so to reply and then it's every teacher for himself.

For now, in under an hour I hope to be watching the 6 Nations!