
My new ‘keep the kids cool’ weapon
Ah hello Summer cold, we’ve been expecting you.
Little man coughed every 30 seconds for most of the night. I went and gave him milk, calpol and a cuddle on his new (child sized) sofa for as long as I could, to no avail. I thought he was asleep until he climbed into our bed ten minutes later and coughed and wriggled for the remainder of the night. Yawn. Pass the coffee.
At least the oppressive night-time heat broke like a fever around 2am, leaving a calm cool breeze washing through the open windows.
I was going to write today’s post about some old blog posts of mine I stumbled across yesterday, on how to write a novel with children underfoot, back in the day when I thought this would be a writing-advice blog, rather than a diary-cum-confessional. I will have to save that for tomorrow as I can barely keep my eyes open and I have an hour to get kids to nursery and write Claire’s showdown with Carl.

Even baby Annabelle’s had enough (or is she drunk?)
These hot days are sapping more than my energy and good humour, they’re wiping away any remaining vocabulary left in my addled Mummy brain.
The thing I noticed most about my first posts on WriterMummy, written last March? They were penned with a sharpness of phrase I can only dream of. I don’t know how: I imagine I was getting less sleep then than now. Maybe only blogging every couple of weeks meant I stored up good phrases, or I was less self-conscious about my writing, knowing no one was reading it.
I also had more time to read other people’s posts back then – funny parenting posts, mostly – and that style of writing rubs of. It just proves the point that writers must read as much as write.
I think that might be my ‘homework’ today! I’ve just started reading a recommended book, Emotional Geology, which is reminding me of Virginia Woolf in style, as it’s quite stream-of-consciousness in the way it jumps about. Enjoying it though. Now I just need to tackle Carl, and consume some caffeine!
________________________________________________________________________________
Below is the next installment in my novel Two-Hundred Steps Home: written in daily posts since 1st January as part of my 2013 365 Challenge. Read about the challenge here.You can catch up by downloading the free ebook volumes on the right hand side of the blog:
________________________________________________________________________________
Despite quivering limbs, Claire felt happiness bubble deep inside. The look in Carlâs eyes, as he gazed at her across the desk, reminded her of a hunted animal finally cornered and aware there is nowhere left to run. It strengthened her resolve and calmed some of the jitters.
âHello, Claire. This is an unexpected pleasure.â Carlâs mouth worked silently, as if more words wanted to be spoken but were under restraint.
âYes, isnât it. How are you? Are you well?â
Carlâs eyebrows flickered up almost imperceptibly, flummoxed by Claireâs affable conversation.
âYes, very well. The Birds Eye account renewed, and weâve secured three new clients this month already.â He sat back in his chair, his elbows resting on the arms of the large leather seat that diminished his stature rather than enlarging it as intended.
Sitting forward, Claire glanced sideways at the door. A flicker only, but Carl detected it, and shifted uncomfortably. Claire watched him squirm with indecision. If he called Julia in to take a drinks order, he would be treating Claire as a welcome visitor, despite her impromptu visit. On the other hand, if he didnât follow normal protocol, he would communicate to the rest of the office that she was not there at his bidding. Claire nearly laughed out loud as the thoughts waged war across his face.
You should take some lessons from your receptionist; sheâs a much better poker player than you are.
After a moment that stretched to eternity, Carl leant forwards and pressed the intercom on his desk.
âJulia, can you come in, please?â
The door opened immediately, and Claire suspected Carlâs PA had been hovering with her fingers already round the handle.
âThere you are, Julia. Coffee for me, if you will.â He tilted his head in question at Claire, and she turned to face her erstwhile tormentor.
âHello, Julia. Earl Grey, thank you.â She smiled sweetly, keeping her expression neutral.
Juliaâs mouth dropped open and she shut it with a snap, before spinning away. Claire took the opportunity to inhale deeply and rub her sweaty hands down her dress, while Carl was distracted.
âSo.â Carl turned, resting his arms on the desk. âTo business.â
âItâs always business, isnât it.â
Claire reached into the bag at her side, before Carl could answer, and retrieved a pristine white envelope, which she slid across the desk.
âI think youâll find this self-explanatory.â
Carl looked at it and the colour drained from his face. A sheen of sweat made his brow sparkle in the office lights.
âYouâre resigning?â
âI thought youâd be pleased.â Claire frowned, her poise slipping for the first time. âIsnât that what youâve been striving for since February?â She closed her lips, unwilling to give any more away.
âYes, well, no. Of course not.â Flustered, Carl stumbled over his words.
âOh, come on, Carl. Thereâs no need to play the game any longer. Not with me. Youâve won. That should make you happy.â
âWhy? Why now, I mean.â
âIâve had a better offer.â No need to mention she hadnât even had an interview for the new role Linda had called her about. The potential had been enough to convince her of her next move.
âHow much?â
Claire felt the heat rise in her cheeks at the audacity of Carlâs question. Refusing to rise to the bait, she crossed her legs, gazing coolly at him. âThatâs all it is to you, isnât it? Money. I pity you.â
Carl sat back as if she had spat at him. âIf itâs not the money, why are you leaving?â
âNeed you ask? You sent me on some foolâs errand, fit only for a manager at best, to force me to leave. No, donât tell me that bullshit story of proving myself fit to the directors. We both know that was tosh.â
Carl shrugged. âThe deal was real.â
âBut the idea to send me was yours? Was I treading on your toes? Making you nervous? Well, you can relax. I wouldnât have your job if you paid me double whatever exorbitant salary youâre on.â She paused, as Julia re-entered with their drinks.
The PA hovered, sensing the atmosphere and desperate to leave with some gossip. She glanced at the white envelope untouched on Carlâs desk, and Claire knew that was fuel enough for the rumour machine.
âThank you, Julia, you may go.â Julia flinched at the icy tones, and scuttled from the room.
âWhat do you want, then, if not money? Prestige? A new car?â
âNothing you can buy. In fact, I have to thank you. If you hadnât sent me on that stupid assignment, I might still think cars and titles were worth something.â
It was Carlâs turn to sneer. âOh, come on. You canât tell me youâve turned hippy. Look at you, still the heels and sharp suit. You havenât changed. Youâve met some bloke, thatâs it, isnât it?â He jeered lasciviously and Claire crossed her arms, resisting the urge to throw her tea over him.
âNo. No man, no money, no shiny car or bigger office. Just an opportunity to make a difference; to be me. To live a little in the real world.â She looked round his minimalist office, with the tinted windows obscuring the view outside. âYou should try it sometime.â
Draining the last of her tea, Claire stood up. âI still have three weeks holiday, with what I carried over from last year. Iâll work to the end of the week.â
âWhat? You canât. Youâre on three monthsâ notice, and you took that week last week.â Panic raised his voice to a squeak.
âNo. You gave me last week in lieu of the weekends I have worked, and if you check my contract Iâm only on a monthâs notice. I would like to say itâs been a pleasure, but Iâve had enough of lying.â
Leaving her boss gaping like a landed fish, Claire placed her cup on his desk, and glided from the room.
***