Nojomo 25. Panic in The season for arachnids. Autumn 2016

My alarm went off at 4:45am today which can only mean one thing - it’s a run day. I don’t need any looks of gobsmackedness, or anything, it’s what I do to get the runs slotted into my life. So I ran 9km then once home I stretched and showered, got the girls up, made packed lunches then breakfast. We ate and I was gazing, idly, at Facebook when L brought me out of my zone-out - “Mum, we’re not allowed screens at the table, I’m going to confiscate your phone.” I told her that was a good point and let her remove it, joining in with the general breakfast chat. The girls brushed their teeth while I washed up and we went to school.

After a full day at work I finished and checked my phone. I found I had a message from one of my friends. M and I meet up every Wednesday night to gossip, usually in Spanish and rarely do spontaneous get togethers, she likes to know what’s happening and have things planned. She also lives 6 or 7 miles away. I had a text: Can I come over after school? I need a hug.

All the scenarios stampeded through my brain - something had happened to Rik, her offspring, who has just moved half way up the country to university or her mum, something happened to her mum who is even further up the country. Maybe the cats or, or, or..

Of course I responded with “Of course.”

L came out of school in tears; her brand new best friend (now ex)had been sending mean messages via another friend to L. So big hugs were had, I walked home with the girls, explaining that M would be coming because she was upset and needed a hug; and no, I don’t know why.

M arrived shortly after us and I gave her a huge hug before even asking what the problem was. Well, it was none of my scenarios. She’s just paid out A LOT of money to have a crown sorted out at the dentist and today another crown fell out. She’s just thinking of the hassle and the cost and is really pissed off about it. A hug, a cup of tea and a chocolate biscuit were duly dispensed along with a natter, sitting at the table because the girls were watching tv. Once she’d gone I started making dinner (I went for personal toad in the holes today), and after dinner I sat down, utterly and totally exhausted, in a comfy place for the first time today!

I hope I stay awake for my 10pm supermarket delivery!