Outside the window

Gail didn' t want to move offices, until she saw the view!

Gail didn' t want to move, but it was either that, or lose her job. After six years as a graphic designer, she' d accumulated shelves of books, piles of paperwork and other bits and pieces. Her new office was smaller so she couldn' t just tip the contents of her cupboards and drawers into boxes, she had to look through it all and get rid of stuff she no longer needed.

After three hours, most of the hard work was done. As she took the pictures off the wall and packed the last of her personal possessions away, the room changed.

From being recognisably her office, it became cold and anonymous, as though it could belong to anyone.

The room was neither very large nor very grand, but it was handy for the shops plus the park was only just round the corner, ideal for al fresco lunches. After nine hours a day, six days a week, it felt like home.

She looked on the bright side. At least she wouldn' t miss her colleagues. They each had their own separate offices, which meant days could go by without her seeing anyone meetings were done on Zoom to save time.

With a sigh, she packed the last of her belongings into a

What she saw made her smile for the first time that day. A young man was working in his garden

box. The removal team would be arriving soon.

She needed to be on her way. Unless she was there when they arrived at her new office, all the furniture might land up in the wrong place.

Before leaving, she lingered for one last look out of the window, out on to the main road. Watching people come and go or waiting for a bus had kept her occupied on those days when she struggled for ideas.

The view from her new office couldn' t be more different. Instead of gazing out on to a busy street, all the hustle and bustle would be gone, in its place, birdsong, grass and trees.

As she drove the five miles to her new office, she frowned. She' d get used to it eventually, but she' d never been a fan of change.

The first thing she did was make coffee, while she waited for the removal men to arrive.

She didn' t have to wait long. Soon her world was a blur as three men brought in everything she needed desk, chairs, filing cabinets, boxes and more boxes of paperwork.

In a little over an hour, they were done.

Sign here,' the man in charge said, as he handed her a form. Then we' ll be on our way.'

She looked on the bright side. At least she wasn' t paying for the move, her employer had taken care of that.

They' d also given her two days off to get settled. It was the first break she' d had since her ex had run off with a woman he' d met online, 10 months ago.

She shook her head that was all in the past. One day she might give online dating a go, but for now, she was fine on her own.

She worked hard for the rest of the day, without taking a break. Once all the equipment had been set up and the wires and plugs connected, she turned everything on to make sure it was all working, then satisfied with a job well done, she went over to the window.

What she saw made her smile for the first time that day. A young man was working in his garden, digging over a vegetable patch, ready for planting.

Not such a bad view after all, she thought.

While she was commuting, she hardly ever saw her dishy neighbour, but that was about to change.

She smiled again. Working from home might be a very good move after all.