“I’ve got a job for you,” Mum says. “What is it?” I say. “It’s your favourite job,” Mum says, in that excited tone of voice that she uses when she thinks she’s going to be able to persuade me to do something. The tone of voice that means this is a fun thing I’ve invented […]
“So, how are you?” The lovely young doctor says, pen poised over my notes. He’s the same one who I saw last month: tall with blue eyes and brown hair. “Well my mood has dropped,” I say, “so I’ve put my antidepressant dose up. So I need some more of those, if that’s OK please? […]
The flat phone rings. Picking it up, I say “Hello.” “Hello my lovely,” Seb says. I can’t believe that it’s him. “Are you calling me from the jungle?” I say. “Yes, I might run out of credit but I wanted to call you and say hello,” he says. The line crackles, it’s not a good […]
“Hello lovely, all well?” Seb’s message comes through at 6.30pm last night. “Very good here. Despite all my self abuse, meditation’s going pretty well. You keep popping into my mind during meditation. Sending loving thoughts xxx” “Sending loving thoughts back,” I fire off, just in case he can read it straight away. “You are in […]
Sitting in the park on my lunch break. So far, the alcoholics are avoiding me and have arranged themselves on the benches around the park’s edges, where they argue and swig from their cans. It is unseasonably cold but have removed my fleece so can sit on it – a fleece! In July! If am […]
“Hello lovely!” Seb’s message comes through at 7.35am this morning. “Happily ensconced in the forest. You won’t believe how fast the Bodhi trees I planted (less than two years ago) have grown. One was a cutting of about 6 inches tall which is now 8 foot!! Hope you’re well my lovely xxx” Ah he’s adorable. […]
“Come and help me observe my new flowers,” Mum says. “It’s a Gardening Which study: to observe them for ten minutes four times during the summer on a sunny day – between ten in the morning and four in the afternoon – and to record the number and species of butterflies that land on them.” […]
“Arrived safe and sound, by the way xxx”. The message comes through from Seb at 12.45pm today. Am so happy to hear from him. Have been wondering whether or not he’s arrived. “Ah great. In Bangkok?” I reply, at 2.10pm when I see the message. Am at the parental home where there isn’t much phone […]
“What are your measurements, Tanya?” Seb says as he’s packing his huge rucksack this morning. “Is it OK if I leave this shirt here?” “Of course,” I say, taking the shirt from him. It’s my favourite one: big blue and grey checks and it feels soft. Am pleased that it will be here so I […]
“I’m just going to have a bath,” I say to Seb when I wander into the living room after my sleep. “OK,” he says, running a hand through his mane of thick hair. He’s sitting at my computer in his pants. “What are you up to?” I say, putting a couple of dirty plates […]
Scars, Tears and Training Bras 