So, here I am alone at work whilst staring absent-mindedly out of the window. Dusty Springfield plays on the radio and I keep looking at the clock periodically, wondering whether I have the secret power to fast forward time. I'm covering for Ann (blonde, hilarious individual who is currently on holiday) and to be perfectly honest, I have nothing to do. Well...after filing records, sorting out up-coming appointments (and even skipping around repeatedly spraying peach & jasmine air-wick because it smells so damn divine) so for the 4 hours remaining, all I have to do is sit and hum along to the likes of Elton John on Heart FM, wait for customers to walk in with their broken glasses (hoping for a miracle) and to stare at the Cadbury's Flake bar that sits 'oh so innocently' on my desk, next to the hole punch...
12:55pm
I'm wondering whether I should go for a walk in the sunshine armed with my bottle of Evian and skip along in time with my happy thoughts. Or to read the latest monthly copy of Glamour magazine and make a 'wish list' (I have my eye on a pair of dark brown leather boots for my Autumn/Winter collection) Hmmm you see I should be feeling jubilant because my boss isn't present today to 1) annoy me 2) throw paper at my head and 3) intoxicate the air with his negativity (thank god I am armed with my peachy air-wick) but instead I'm actually feeling quite lonely...
Do you realise only 2 people have entered the shop since 9am!!! (the time is now 1:30pm) so the only interaction I have had is with Bob Marley about 2 minutes ago (he sang to me 'I shot the Sheriff, but I did not shoot the Deputy') so I began nodding my head, tapping my feet in time with the rhythm and surprisingly I felt less lonesome. I love reggae music. It reminds me of being a little girl, dancing around in the sunshine, sipping orange juice in a pub garden and feeling so innocent and free of any worries. UB40 has the same effect, it seems to bring back the good memories and I find myself smiling and visualising myself as a 6 year old...
Everything was so simple when I was a 6 year old. I would wake up, eat lucky charms (now £7 a box in selfridges!) attend school and play 'kiss chase', catch frogs at Calthorpe Haven (a little green area full of birds, bee's, trees and dirty knees) watch CITV at 3:45 (Funhouse, Art Attack and Hey Arnold) pretend to be a power ranger or a gladiator, make strange concoctions in the bathroom...hmm shaving cream, shampoo, soap, toilet roll and mix it all with a spoon (strange child you see) talk to my dolls, believe in Santa Claus and allow Barbie and Action Man to have sex in her pink 4x4...
I haven't seen Matt in just over a week, so it's getting to the point where I'm missing him immensely. I find myself reading his text messages over and over and thinking about the last time I saw him. (last Tuesday morning when it was raining and he drove me to work) he arrives home from his holiday later this evening. So I'm going to be seeing him tomorrow afternoon (I say with the biggest smile on my face) I remember the first time I met him. It was in April and at the time I was feeling a bit lost in life (being dumped and lack of job of course) but I remember him making me laugh, taking away all my worries with every giggle...
4:15pm
Hopefully the boss will arrive early to lock up the place. I have over an hour left and boredom is taking over (note: chewed pens, scribbles on bits of paper and this blog that seems to be never ending) It's raining and everybody without umbrellas opposite seem to be huddled together (quite like pigeons in a park) I've been observing people walking past. All of them resemble the likes of the hunchback of Notre Dame...deformed, miserable and lifeless. You see, I'm not usually the one to...Oooooh, the telephone is ringing...
The Boss. He called to see if I was OK and to tell me that he'll be arriving a little later on. Meaning that I only have to lock the door behind me. I might even be able to leave a little earlier than 5:30pm (I say with a smirk) Anyway, where was I?...Oh yes, hunchback people. I'm not usually the one to judge or take the piss out of people but I don't understand why most of them around here don't smile and seem to stomp around the high street without any grace!! Maybe my ballet days have made me very aware of my own posture. But it's as if they cannot be bothered to even walk right...they just seem to well, plod along with a frown.
4:45pm
Time seems to be flying past. The fourth person of the day walking into the shop and wanted a replacement contact lens. You see, this is the first time I have had to fend for myself and usually the other person I work with deals with replacements, ordering, repairs etc... so, there I was trying to find a replacement Focus Daily -3.00 for the left eye whilst apologising. 'If I can't find it, I'm really sorry (smile) it's just I'm not usually the one that deals with the contact lenses, so I'll try my best to find it for you ok? I turned to my left, to see the guy sitting next to me and helping me search. 'It's ok, I know Bob (my boss) and I used to work here' he said whilst grinning at me. I must have looked a right idiot. I work here, yet I had a patient looking for his own contact lens. Hmmm, he didn't seem to mind anyway (thankfully) 'GOT IT!' I shouted (and realised my enthusiasm was a little OTT) but I was just so glad that I was able to find the damn thing. 'BRILLIANT!' he replied and then thanked me for my help...
5:05pm
Why does everybody decide to come in at the end of the day? The fifth person entered (soaking from the rain) and skipped to the desk. 'I've broken the frame! can you please repair it now????('NO GO AWAY, I WANT TO FINISH MY BLOG AND SIP MY TEA IN PEACE!..I thought)I've only been taught how to repair little screws and her glasses, well...they were completely crushed so I had to disappoint her and explain that if she came back tomorrow then she would be able to get them repaired...
5:20pm
Finally, I can leave my boredom behind and make my way home to make some beans on toast...
Until Next Time.
