It may seem counterintuitive, but just for once, try to relax. The earth will keep spinning on its axis if you are not at your desk at precisely 9 o’clock. Why not let this be the day you give in to all those unreasonable requests? If Maisie asks for poached eggs instead of cereal, why not indulge her? Make those pancakes with crispy bacon for Lucas. Let April linger over her Cheerios. Maybe sit down and eat breakfast yourself. No woman can exist on black coffee alone.
If Maisie wants a French plait rather than her usual quick brush and ponytail, just go for it. Hairdressing can be surprisingly therapeutic. Help the older two practise their spellings. Read a book or two. Allow April to watch an episode of Peppa Pig. Childhood is short. Make the most of it. Just talk.
If, on the drive to school, Maisie announces that she has forgotten her PE kit, turn the car around calmly and go back to collect it. Tell the three of them how much you love them before they go to their classrooms. Wave and blow kisses until they are out of sight. Linger on the playground with the other parents, gossiping about the new teacher, and how she looks about sixteen years old. Get to know them. You never know, some of them might even become friends.
Stop off at your favourite deli to collect a lunchtime sandwich. You deserve that smoked salmon and cream cheese bagel. Drive carefully to work. Ignore text messages asking where the fuck you are. You are where you are, which is in a traffic jam on the motorway, caused by a pile-up with multiple fatalities that occurred half an hour ago. Be thankful that today you finally listened to good advice.
Alison Wassell is a writer of short fiction. Her words have been published by Fictive Dream, Does It Have Pockets, Gooseberry Pie, Frazzled Lit and elsewhere. She was Highly Commended in the 2024 Bridport Prize for Flash Fiction and her work has twice been nominated for Best Small Fictions.
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