Wish I Was There
Coffee Break Tale
Have you finished the monthly reports, Jane?” Natalie asked. “I need them for the meeting this afternoon. You’re so conscientious and efficient you’ve usually finished them by now. Is there a problem?”
“Apologies,” Jane said. “I’m a bit behind.”
“She’s going on holiday,” Fiona piped up from the next workstation. “All Jane can think about is sea, sun and sangria.”
“Well, I’d like the reports on my desk by lunchtime, please.”
“Do you want some help?” Fiona asked, as Natalie waltzed off to nag somebody else.
Jane didn’t reply. Instead she started a list of things she had to buy… suntan lotion,travel-sizedshampoo, conditioner,deodorant…
On Saturday, she was getting on a plane with her husband Ben and heading for sunny Spain.
It was their first holiday for three years and it couldn’t come quick enough for Jane. They’d booked it months ago, congratulating themselves on saving a fortune by planning in advance.
Back then, the date seemed light-years away. But now it was here and, determined to have the best time ever, sandy beaches and blue skies were all Jane could think about.
Tops,flip-flops,sarong, she typed. Ask Bentogetbagsoutoftheloft.
“Natalie’s on the warpath again,” Fiona hissed. “Are the reports finished?”
“I’m making a holiday list,” Jane admitted. “I can’t concentrate on reports. My brain keeps wandering off.”
Phonecharger,Kindle…
“At least put the spreadsheet on screen,” Fiona whispered, “Or you might not have a job to come back to.”
“Nearly done?” Natalie fixed Jane with an I-am-the-boss glare and drummed her fingers on the top of the monitor.
“Almost.” Jane, clicked her mouse. “My computer is running slow.”
“It’s not as slow as you are,” Natalie quipped. “Look, I know you’re excited about going away, but can you get on with earning your salary, please?”
With Natalie gone, Jane returned to her list. Sunglasses,passports,flight details,euros…
At lunchtime Jane bought two sun dresses, a hat that folded away to nothing and make-up. She didn’t buy anything on the list but to save Ben struggling in the loft, she bought new luggage.
“I’m picking it up after work,” she told Fiona.
This time next week, she’d be on a golden beach in Spain, soaking up the sunshine, without a care in the world.
The office would be a dim and distant memory. Once she left the building on Friday evening, she wouldn’t give the place a second thought.
“Where are the reports?” Natalie asked, bringing her down to earth. “They’re not on my desk.”
“Fiona’s double-checking the figures,” Jane lied. She didn’t want Natalie finding out that Fiona had finished them. “You’ve got five minutes,” said Natalie. “You owe me.” Fiona finalised the data and clicked the print icon.
“Thanks. I’ll make it up to you.”
How was your day?” Ben asked that evening as Jane wheeled the new bags round the living room.
“It was awful. All I could think about was arriving at the airport and boarding the plane. I couldn’t focus at all.”
Ben laughed. “You’d better get a grip,” he said. “It’s only Monday – you’ve got the rest of the week to get through.” Saturday arrived. Jane and Ben set off. The hotel was wonderful, the food delicious, the weather perfect. The planning ahead paid off. It made things so much easier. But as Natalie said, Jane was conscientious and efficient. Thinking ahead was second nature.
The time went quickly and, soon, she was back at work.
“So how was the holiday?” Fiona asked, admiring Jane’s suntan. “You look a bit tired.” “It was fab but I’m exhausted.” “I thought you were going to take it easy, doss on the beach, soak up the sun, go swimming, have long lunches…”
“Yes, we did all that,” Jane confirmed. “I didn’t sleep much, though.”
“Well, it’s sometimes difficult to settle in a strange bed.”
“The bed was lovely and comfy,” Jane said. “But I just kept thinking about all the work piling up here…”