We will now be returning to normal service

Said the man over the loud speaker,

Everyone looking at their watches, irritated

That they’re already late as a winter wind

Howls through the platform, forcing their coats

To be pulled a little tighter. The train rattles in

And the comforting hiss of hiss of the brakes

And the swish of the opening doors, it soothes

Those nerves that were ragged and frayed.

I’m one of those people who need routine and structure in their life, so when something changes, I feel a bit out of my depth. When I worked at the petrol station I always baked the croissants first, as soon as I got in they were put in the oven. When they told me I had to start baking the cookies first, I suddenly felt really wonky.

It actually frightened me how unsettled I became after such a minor change in the structure to my day. Of course, we’ve all had to get used to routines changing over the past two years so it’s something I’m grappling with all the time.

My dad contracted COVID two weeks ago and so he couldn’t come over to visit for a while. He comes over every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday without fail, and for the past few weeks that has obviously stopped.

Today, he came over for the first time since he got sick and it just felt so nice – so comforting. We sat watching Married at First Sight and laughed at all the crazies even though both of us want to be on that show.

It felt like normal service had resumed, and that is the nicest feeling in the world.

Much Love

Rachel xx