Having left my phone in the car after I'd gone shopping, I'd had fewer distractions when it came to my wine-swigging the night before. I'd been able to turn my full attention to this activity, as I was reminded by the throbbing in my temples and the vile taste on my tongue.
From the driveway, having retrieved my phone, I raised my hand to wave at Gordon who was scuttling into the house clutching yet another box of groceries. Perhaps he didn't see me or perhaps he was embarrassed by my pyjamas (as unrevealing as they were, some people are funny about things like other people's nightwear) but he put his head down and kept on moving. Hmmm. John was still snoring upstairs. This sort of alcohol-induced snoring that I'd had to endure all night, was actually audible from outside the house.
I was pretty disappointed in myself that I'd sabotaged my first office day in a new role, by being hungover. I had planned to get an email out to the team by 9am informing them of my intention to have a video conference over the next few days and perhaps also putting a few ideas out there in readiness for future discussions, but my head just wasn't in it this morning. Instead, I put one out saying that I'd be in touch tomorrow. Antonio got back to me straight away, saying that he thought that the project was going to be 'amazing'.
As I was shutting down my laptop, Cleo came in wearing her best tracksuit and holding a bottle of water. "I'm off for a run," she informed me.
"Really?"
"Yes. Really! The government wants us to have more exercise, don't they?"
"Do they? And when have you ever cared about what the government wants us to do? You're always saying that they're a bunch of tossers."
"Ugh. I'm off anyway. I'll be back in time for lunch."
I didn't have the strength to argue, which was unfortunate as that's exactly what I got when John came downstairs
"Well, did she say where she was going?"
"Just ….. for a run. She won't go far, I'm sure," I said.
"See! I knew this would happen when all the restrictions started lifting. People are just gonna be doing what the hell they like, running around the streets willy-nilly."
"God, John! Keep your voice down please. My poor head. Running around the streets has always been allowed, hasn't it? I've done it a couple of times myself."
"Once! You don't think she's meeting her mates, do you? Or Callum?"
"Ah. She was wearing make up so that is a possibility."
The wine-fog in my brain had caused me to speak my thoughts out loud again. Damnit!
"Christ, Daisy! Why didn't you stop her? Where are the car keys? I'm going after her!"
"You may still be over the limit. And anyway, if she is with Callum, she's not gonna thank you for embarrassing her yet again. He's threatened to dump her already because of you."
"Well, I'd rather she was embarrassed and dumped, than struck down by Coronavirus!"
Ffs! "I'll bloody go! Out of the both of us, I am the slightly less embarrassing parent. Give me five minutes to tidy myself up. Shall I drop that cat food that I got your mother yesterday over to her while I'm out?"
"She said she's ok for a day or two. I'll take it tomorrow."
After John's snoring, immediately followed by his ranting, I have to say that a late morning walk was pretty bloody blissful. I had no clue which direction Cleo would have taken of course, and didn't expect to find her for one second, but the object of the exercise was to shut John up. Result! I was out here in the fresh morning air and he was locked up inside with two ten year olds attempting a comprehension exercise.
My feet took me to the park, which was surprisingly busy. I was so glad that John hadn't joined me. The volume of people would have infuriated him and my peace would be shattered. I followed the narrow path leading from the park's gates, which winds up a slight incline, scanning the large grassy areas where people sat; some alone, many in small groups. Although I didn't expect to see Cleo, I could at least go back home and give an honest account of my expedition - 'I looked right around the park,' I'd say. The colours that surrounded me here were vibrant with new growth. I was mindful about taking it all in. As I cleared the brow of the hill, the view of the sea below opened up before me and I paused to take in its beauty, along with a few lungfuls of clean air; each breath clearing away a little more of the haze of my hangover.
Refreshed, I started the slow descent towards the flower gardens, its fragrance already drifting towards me on the breeze. Perhaps I'd have a five minute sit in there before turning home. Even the thought of this gave me a sense of tranquility.
"SHIT!" I felt a sudden punch to my back, followed by a dull ache, as my feet where whisked from under me. I was thrown onto the concrete with a hard thud, my lower limbs entangled in someone else's.
It was a few seconds before I understood what had happened - an upturned skateboard lay at my side and I was linked by the ankles to a guy old enough to know better. "What the hell were you thinking?" I shouted. "You could have killed me!"
"You should have been watching where you were going," he said, getting to his feet.
"You came up from behind, you moron! Totally rear-ended me! I suppose you expect me to be watching from the eyes in the back of my head!"
A few people were looking over with interest or concern by now, as I clambered slowly and ungracefully to my feet.
"You were taking up the whole path. You're supposed to keep to the left," he said, picking up the offending skateboard.
"It's a narrow path. Do you think it's acceptable to come flying down it on a skateboard? How old are you anyway? Shouldn't you have grown out of skateboarding by now?" A couple of people were drifting towards us now.
"Shouldn't you be self-isolating, old lady?"
"Right ….."
"Mum?" said one of the approaching people.
"Cleo?" The guy took the opportunity to jump on his board and whizz off down the hill. "I hope you land in a rose bush!" I yelled after him.
"Oh my God! You are sooo embarrassing. Why do you keep doing this?" Cleo seethed.
A little way behind her was someone trying far too hard to make himself look invisible; heading into the trees with his baseball cap pulled down low.
"Morning Callum!" I shouted.
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