#i know it’s only 11.30am but really?

[superbattrash]

Tell me your caseworker doesn’t care about you without telling me your caseworker doesn’t care about you, I’ll go first

She tells me, an autistic person with an anxiety disorder and severe depression (both officially diagnosed and in my file) that my workplace has issues with how I do my work / with me. When I - understandably - panic and ask what she means, because that’s not the impression I’ve gotten, she tells me I shouldn’t think about that until our meeting. But she still tells me :) before we’ve even set a date for said meeting :)

She then tells me she will call me Thursday. Maybe Friday. So for both of those days I have rushed home only to sit on my ass, waiting for her to call. Because I’m so anxious about missing it that I can’t make myself do anything :) haha

[envihellbender]

TMA au: Hux is a long suffering archivist, Ben is a researcher who throws himself into danger willingly and with reckless abandon

Fandom: Star Wars, The Magnus Archives AU

Characters: Ben Solo, Hux (Kylux), Mary Keay

Content: Horror, supernatural

[There is a click indicating a tape recorder turning on and a slight whirring sound.]

Hux: This is the statement of Benjamin Organa-Solo, researcher of the Magnus Institute. Recording by the Head Archivist of the Magnus institute- [There is a pause and a clearing of his throat.] Armitage Hux. Statement begins.

Ben: I don’t know why you insist on saying your birth name when you hate it so much.

Hux: This is an official record, Ben. Now, tell me what happened.

Ben: Is all this necessary? Can’t we wait until we get back to the Archive tomorrow?

Hux: We have to do it now, Ben. Whilst it’s fresh in our minds. Plus, I want to know what possessed to you run head long into danger like- [Hux takes a deep breath before pausing for a moment.] Just… Humour me. Tell me what happened. Please.

Ben: Fine. I guess you did help me clean and sew me back up. Okay, so, this morning… I. [Ben takes a deep breath and swallows.] This morning. I told you about that bookshop on the way to the Archive, right? It’s always got this weird vibe, it’s always empty, and it’s only open for like three hours in the morning. I know you said to leave it alone, wait to see if there’s any reason to investigate but… [Ben sighs.] Look, something was up and I didn’t want to wait for someone to come in hurt or worse to do something about it.

Hux: And now you’re lucky your not dead.

Ben: Do you normally interrupt people when they’re giving a statement?

Hux: I- no-

Ben: Plus you’re being really judgemental right now.

Hux: You’re right. I’m sorry. I’m just worried, please continue.

Ben: Anyway, I was on my way to work this morning and I had a look in the window. Now, the weird thing about this place is the books they have on display. They never have any words on the covers, no pictures, nothing. They’re just all bound in old leather. Like- well- you know…

Hux: A Leitner.

Ben: Bingo. And this time it… Do you remember that statement, I don’t remember which. You know me I’m shit with numbers and names. But it was the one of the Mary Keay ones. And the guy, there was the images in the book with the cliffs and the tower? Well, in the window, in the usual display one of the books was open. It was on a display thing propped open, with the wood carvings that guy described. The cliffs. The tower. It was all there. And I felt the same feeling of vertigo. I thought I was gonna throw up as I stood on the pavement staring at that book- [Ben sighed and clicked his tongue.] Hux. You’re doing it again.

Hux: What?

Ben: You’re being judgemental.

Hux: I didn’t say anything!

Ben: You didn’t have to.

Hux: I just wish you came to me first.

Ben: Look, can I finish the story?

Hux: I’m sorry. Continue.

Ben: So, anyway, I had to go in. I know, I know, you think going in alone was stupid but… Look, I know about your whole deal with Juergen Leitner and I didn’t want- ugh. I just didn’t want to worry you. [Hux gave a badly disguised snort of derision, trying to pass it off as a cough.] This place. It’s called Quay Books. That’s weird, right? Quay. Keay. You know? Anyway. So I walk in, and it’s only open 8.30am to 11.30am. It was nearly 10, if I waited until my lunch break or went to the archive to- I just think I’d have missed my chance.

Hux: That might not have been a bad thing.

Ben: You’re not normally this chatty during statements.

Hux: I apologise. Continue.

Ben: I went in, and as soon as I did I could feel the dust in the back of my throat. It smelt damp and like no one had been in there for a long time. There was a counter and a till that was covered in a thick layer of grime and filth. There was no one there and it didn’t look like there had been for a while which is weird because… Like, every time I passed in the morning, the sign said open, on my way home it said closed. So, someone was moving the sign. Anyway, I took advantage of the fact it was empty and went to the window display. When I tried to take the open book however, the pages had changed. Fuck- [It goes quiet for a moment.]

Hux: Ben? Are you okay?

Ben: I feel… dizzy. Like I’m going to be sick. I- I’m fine. Anyway, I went to- I closed it. I definitely saw the cliffs and the tower before I did. But. The cover was blank. Which was weird, because I was sure the one from the statement had a name. The first page definitely had the familiar ‘From the Library of Jurgen Leitner’ stamp though, so that confirmed what I already knew about this place. So, I flicked right through and… It was. Look, instead of the cliffs and tower there were waves and a ship. And I felt like… Like my feet were unstable and the wooden floor had become the deck of a boat. And that was when- that was when there was a voice. From behind me. It just came out like a hiss. It was a woman. And she just said put it down. I protectively wrapped my right arm around it and I have no idea why. I don’t- I’m glad I don’t have it but in that moment I would have fucking jumped off a cliff if it meant I didn’t have to let it go. That’s normal for a Leitner, right?

Hux: From what I know, yes.

Ben: Anyway, this woman, I guess she looked like Mary Keay. I don’t know. She was a skeletal old woman with a shaved head and words on her scalp in what could have been Sanskrit. That was how that guy described Mary Keay, right? Except… I don’t know. It could’ve been anyone. I think she was a lot taller than her, you know? Anyway, I went to question her. Well, not even question her. I hadn’t got that far. I was just about to speak and she let out this screech. It was this high pitched, howling noise that sent a chill through my body like you get from hearing nails on a chalkboard. She pounced on me. Her long sharp nails scratching at my neck, cutting me open and pushing beneath my skin. I panicked. And- and I threw the book away across the room. I guess it was on instinct. I don’t know. She chased after it on all fours like a cat. And I ran out of there. I know I shouldn’t have. And I know I should have come to work. And I know I should have called and not just ran home. But… I … Panicked. So, that’s it. Statement ends, I guess.

Hux: I’m glad you did. Who knows what could’ve happened if you’d have fought her. Well, this is… a relief.

Ben: What? How? I didn’t get the book or any information.

Hux: You survived. You got away only needing a few stitches. And I’m happy you’re okay.

Ben: I can take you there. Or. Not you but. I can show you and…

Hux: I don’t think that’s possible.

Ben: What do you mean?

Hux: The… the shop you’re describing. It’s not there.

Ben: What? What do you mean?

Hux: This is the place you mentioned the other day, right? You said it was between the Oxfam shop and the coffee place?

Ben: Yeah. That’s it.

Hux: There’s nothing there.

Ben: You… No you must be thinking of-

Hux: There’s a sign saying “Quay Books”. But it’s empty. It has been every time I’ve gone past.

Ben: Well. That’s… Thats fucking weird. Jesus. So you don’t believe me then?

Hux: I didn’t say that. Maybe you should work from home for a while until we get to the bottom of this. Maybe we both should. I could even work out some security.

Ben: Wait, so you do believe me?

Hux: Of course I do. And. I don’t take any chances when it comes to a Leitner. End of recording.

[sugarsnappeases]

hi!!! do you happen to know if rb previous fanworks/answering asks is okay for during the strike? ik you're not the authority but idk who else to ask other than people participating in it bc i want to be respectful!

hi lovely!! this is a very good question and i’m defo not the authority but i was thinking about this earlier in terms of interacting w fanworks?? so for me i'm not going to rb any fanart/fanworks, even stuff that's already been posted, and i'm not going to post any snippets/the top secret microfic that i was planning to post on saturday, until after the strike. i'm not entirely sure what you mean about answering asks bc my asks never tend to be related to fan stuff anyway, so i'll probs still reply to asks if i get any, but i think it really depends on you and everyone will probs be doing it slightly differently

the main point of the strike is obviously to raise awareness for palestine, to show solidarity and to try and help in any way that we can, even if it might seem kinda pointless, like me w my very minor marauders blog not posting one little fic, but for me this is something that i can do. i think the important thing is just to try and do something - and also to spend this time educating yourself, and emailing/calling your representatives and donating if you can. so, that said:

if you're in the uk, TODAY (wed 21st), mps are voting about a ceasefire. i'm not sure if this is still useful as it's so last-minute but here is a link w an email template that you can send directly to your mp, it's super easy, literally only takes a minute and it's SO important. ALSO if you can get to westminster between 11.30am and 4pm today, palestine solidarity uk are organising a lobby of parliament to put direct pressure on mps to vote for a ceasefire, anyone can go, you don't have to be an expert, you just have to sign up here.

palestine solidarity campaign also has bunch of information that might be useful about protests and boycotts on their website and their instagram also has a useful linktree. also there are journalists like bisan who are risking their lives and sharing news directly from gaza

this is a link to a google sheets which is constantly updating w links for URGENT evacuation funds and this is a link to the palestine children's relief fund both of which i would encourage you to donate to if you can

finally, you can go here and donate daily through arab.org with just one click, it's so easy to do and doesn't cost you anything!!

[jessicafurseth]

Reading List, Bottom of the Year edition.

"Never rush the sweet, delicate time between what’s now and what’s next.” [Jillian Anthony]

Image: Arctic explorer Peter Freuchen and his wife Dagmar Cohn, by Irving Penn (1947)

*

My frozen year [Anna Codrea- Rado]

An Exhausting Year in (and Out of) the Office [Cal Newport, The New Yorker]

The Ketamine Diaries from Isabel Kaplan, in the proud tradition of "incredible yarns that light up the internet that can only exist as a newsletter series".

"Knowing what I wanted, even for a moment, felt like a form of knowing who I was again, and deciding that, maybe, that person was someone worth trusting." Learning to Want Again [Rainesford Stauffer, TIME]

"There are different ways of being a woman, and it’s really important for people to see that." Jodie Foster, interviewed in the Guardian [Emma Brockes]

Your Friends Don’t All Have to Be the Same Age [Annie Midori Atherton, The Atlantic]

Is 11.30am on a Sunday a good time for a first date? This is the best thing I've ever read about just how exhausting dating can be. TL;DR there's no such thing as a low stakes date [Tiffany Philippou]

Age-Gap Relationships! The Cut did a deep dive with interviews and photos, and presented it without prejudice, but the internet had no such qualms! A delicious piece of journalism.  [Lila Shapiro]

‘I left the cinema, walked home and announced I was moving’ Films that made people emigrate [Kitty Drake, The Guardian]

Does an unhappy partner make you less happy? Heck yes. [Shayla Love, The Guardian]

The Rise of the Accidentally Permissive Parent - They're out there, and they're creating monsters [Elizabeth Passarella, The Cut]

The Whole of the 'Whole Earth Catalog' Is Now Online [Boone Ashworth, Wired]

Should Patients Be Allowed To Die From Anorexia? [Katie Engelhart, The New York Times]

In the 1990s, a group of radical artists smuggled political messages into Melrose Place [Isaac Butler, Slate]

Just How Rich Were the McCallisters in ‘Home Alone’? A serious investigation [Amanda Holpuch, The New York Times]

Roaming Wild Rosie, a YouTube channel.

[malamai]

I've had such a nice day off!

So I went to bed at 4am this morning, don't judge me, I ended up getting too into a series I was watching that I originally put on because it looked like it was gonna suck but actually it was really interesting so my plan completely backfired, please if you are reading this don't pick alias grace to fall asleep to, it does not work! 😅

I Ended up sleeping in until 11am, like what the fuck, so Lee came and woke me and gave me the best back massage ever I felt like I had died in my sleep and woken up in heaven, it was amazing, I then went downstairs and Aura was begging me to make pancakes for breakfast, so I thought about the fact that It was like 11.30am and it was close to lunch but then weighed up the fact that I'd be a hypocrite if I said no because you know, I thought bedtime for me was 4am this morning, I asked Elijah if he wanted pancakes, he did, so they had pancakes and chocolate syrup for lunch and I don't care! I was not a well functioning mother today and the kids were just more than happy coming along for the ride! The pancakes I make are filling, they aren't even normal pancakes, they're thick and giant, I can only manage one and I am full, the kids can somehow manage three or four, I don't know how because I would die! 😂

So Aura had her pancakes, she was very pleased and then decided she was going to sleep at her friend's, Elijah ate his in his room, brought the plate down and immediately went back to his room so I took that as a "I'm not game for social interaction that's not though a gaming headset today." From him. I sat on the couch and me and Lee were talking, I watch the horse racing so Lee had said "any decent horses running today?" I said I had not even looked, which was true, but I know goodwood is on so I'd take a look. I immediately saw horses I liked the look of, it was my kind of racing today, so I'm telling him what I think will do well and he put a horse bet on and I decided to put some money in my account, make a cup of tea and have a few bets myself on my couch like a little old man! 😂

So I'm sat on my couch all settled and I could not believe how well I actually did! I was getting winner after winner to the point where it was actually ridiculous, they weren't faves and I was only betting little amounts but I've ended up making £5 into £50. I think Lee wished he'd not asked about the horses by the end as I think I got a bit loud when the horses were running! 😂😂😂

[halloumie]

june 16 2023

11.30am

i'm really trying.

talked to career coach christopher yesterday, and he gave me so much hope i was suspicious. he said he would connect me to his friends, and a colleague who was looking for a web developer.

but how many times have i spoken on the phone with people who were meant to help already, with no result.

he said that how i presented myself in interviews was also how i viewed myself. maybe i'm resistant to coaching, but it's unlikely that i'm so terrible an actor that interviewers, like bloodhounds, can detect my personal anxieties. i want to think of myself as kind and understanding, even in an interview i'm listening for what the other person wants to hear.

spent this morning browsing more jobs. applied to some on Indeed, one on the NHS website. it's disheartening to keep track of the efforts i've committed. it's all swirling down the drain.

how to have the easy confidence that things will work out, that you're allowed to exist as you are. how to be mira seo. sitting with her in 2021 in tears. how do i say i'm good at this and that, and these are worthwhile pursuits and i'm allowed to be confident in spite of everything.

and i'm trying, i'm trying to let go as well. the taoist notion of 无为 (wuwei). but i grasp so hard in a contradictory effort.

how often i've wanted something, only to realise that it isn't what i want. the same thought patterns: i must have a job. but why? why must i have a job? because i must eat, and to some extent, i place my self-worth in a career. but why? why, knowing all the people driven to suicide during the 1997, 2007-8 financial crises? the google employee who hung himself in the office because he got laid off?

maybe i don't actually want a job, but looking at peers as i have always done, i'm struck by my astounding lack.

and mostly the self-blame of why can't i be that, instead of this that i am?

over the last 2 years, the conviction that i'm a black hole in terms of job applications and references. commiserating with strangers online. worry, like a snake swallowing its own tail - at the tail end of worry the same worry heightened. that i have a plan in order: to get my driver's licence, to get a car, to finally move, to soft launch the home bakery, to talk to a career coach. the niggling feeling that the moj offer will fall through, because i haven't been in the uk for the past 3 years.

[cxndyhexrts]

Sweet Nicolette~ Hennikki

 Two days after the kiss, one day after his skype session with Penny, Henry still felt like a wet cat when he had to face Nikki. Damn, I didn’t mention the kiss to Penny, he thought as he buttoned up his shirt. He didn’t know what Nikki would be thinking right now, each time she looked at him. He actually did hate himself from doing that-he didn’t regret it, though. His thoughts about Liam had turned from vengeful to non-chalant-he didn’t really care about Liam, or that Nikki was his girlfriend or or or...The only thing that Henry cared about was what Nikki was thinking of the situation. So, from that short time between the kiss and now, he tried to be casual and not talk to her as much, so that he wouldn’t attract Amanda’s attention that something had actually happened.

Amanda kept pestering him the previous day about choosing a cake for her wedding. And she did want him and Nikki with them. He was sure she did the same thing with Nikki, too and started feeling sorry for her. He was told that Josh and her would be there at 11.30am, so it would be cool if him and Nikki took a cab about half an hour before. He slouched a bit, feeling like he was going to explode, as he walked closer to the guest-room where Nikki was currently sleeping in. Taking a deep breath, he knocked on the door, hoping she is in the room and she wasn’t going to jump from behind him or something. “Nikki...you are coming too, right?”, he asked, his heart jumping off his chest.

[julianim]

I am on living with focus on life

I am a minimalist, and I aspire to become one. I know this because when confronted by a problem I still ask what things I need to resolve this. I am a consumer, as I have been trained to be. A consumer is a hole that defines itself by its emptyness. My driving force is a need to fill this hole. A part of me that I have not been able to communicate with still believes that enough of the right things will fill this hole. It is appeased by the attempt but ultimately unsatisfied with the result. Its nature is to consume, and having done so to be forever empty.

The minimalist I hope to be has achieved sufficiency. Having found enough he is motivated by the reality outside himself. Having acknowledged that his flesh will soon pass away he will find a way to use it to grow something greater. To me a minimalist tries to become less in himself so he can give more of what remains.

For me, living a minimalist life means like this: 7am get up 8am finished my breakfast 8am-11.30 working as a consultant 11.30am-2am have a rest 2pm-6pm Work 6pm-8pm have relax 8pm-10pm work 10.30pm sleep

Becoming a minimalist made me a lot happier, more efficient, less stressed, and gave me more time.

I became a minimalist my senior year of college. It really did change me in a lot of ways.

I got rid of everything I hadn’t used in the past couple of months. I only owned very a little thing. I only kept two paintings that hung on my wall and some photographs to decorate my room.

Becoming a minimalist really did improve so many areas of my life.

My Instagram @focusyourliving

[deanwanddamons]

The Best Weekend Of Your Life - Chapter 1

Summary: You are obsessed with Supernatural and go to a convention with your best friend. You are 100% a Dean girl while your friend is a Sam girl. Both Jensen and Jared are single in this. You both catch the guys attention and things go from there.

Pairing: Jensen x reader, Jared x readers best friend

Word Count: 2774

Warning: Romance, fluff 

Song for chapter: https://youtu.be/xDeyXWyM4Oo - Thunder - Loved Walked In

It was finally here. You and F/N have been waiting months for the Supernatural convention and have managed to book a room in the same hotel it’s being held in for the whole weekend. You are both obsessed with the show. You have lost count of the amount of times you have fantasized about Jensen Ackles. The way his hands would feel on your skin, how he would smell and how your name would sound coming from those perfect lips. This was going to be a weekend to remember.

It had taken you a long time and many outfit changes to decide what you were going to wear. Finally you made your mind up and went for your trusty tight fitting Levi’s, a black bodysuit with lace sleeves, black knee high boots with 4 inch stiletto heels and cropped leather biker jacket. You had your hair dyed the deep shade of red you knew suited you and your 80’s rock chick makeup was down to a fine art.

Waiting at the train station with F/N, you can’t contain your excitement. You feel like a child on Christmas morning.

‘Fuck F/N! I can’t believe we are really going to see them in the flesh! I just know I’m gonna do something stupid in front of Jensen though. You know what I’m like!’

‘Yep Y/N, you are pretty clumsy but I’m pretty sure they are going to be way too busy to take any notice of us anyway. Can you imagine how many other people are going to be there?’ said F/N.

Your heart sinks when you realise all the effort you put into your outfit and make up will no doubt be for nothing, but you can’t let the boys see you without at least trying to look good.

The train pulls up and you and F/N board. It’s only a 20 minute journey and you could have easily come home rather than fork out £120 for a room, but you didn’t want to miss any part of the convention and the last train was at 10.20pm.

You arrive at the hotel and check into your room. Glancing at your watch you see it’s 11.30am, and the Q&A with the cast starts at 12pm so you and F/N just have time to unpack your cases, touch up your makeup, and spray some perfume. You take one last glance at your reflection ‘You're going to knock them dead Y/N’ you whisper.

Leaving the room you make your way to the lifts. Following the signs through reception, you enter a huge function room with what must be 1,000 chairs and the same amount of people milling about. There is a stage at the front of the room, with stools, microphones and a guitar setup. Your heart is beating a tattoo in your chest and you feel like you’re finding it hard to breath you’re that excited.

‘Quick Y/N,’ says F/N ‘There are two chairs right at the front!’ She grabs your hand and with a determined shove, pushes through the crowd. You reach the chairs just as two other girls get to them. Being her usual feisty self F/N dives in front of them glaring up at them, ‘I don’t think so!’ she hisses and plonks herself down, pulling you onto the other chair giggling as the girls slink away.

Getting yourself comfortable you pull out the itenary for the weekend. Other cast members are going to be answering questions, but you are only really interested in the boys. You have your ticket ready for the photo opportunity with them, and can’t wait for the moment you finally get to interact with Jensen. The talk from others who have met him is that he is much taller in real life than he seems on TV. That's why you wore heels in case it's true. You stand at 5ft without them, so that you don't want to look like a proper short arse beside him. And with Jared being 6ft 4 you would look even more ridiculous without heels. Luckily F/N is 5ft 8 with a body like a supermodel so she is going to look amazing next to Jared.

F/N grabs your hand and squeezes it, smiling broadly at you as the lights go down. Richard Speight Jr and Rob Benedict, the MC’s walk onto the stage.

One by one they introduce a few of the Supernatural cast. With thunderous applause, Jim Beaver, Ruth Connell, Mark Sheppard and Samantha Smith take to the stage, and entertain the crowd, answering questions and telling stories about each other. Finally, even though you have really enjoyed hearing them speak, it is time for the main attraction.

Your heart starts thumping and you feel your palms getting clammy when Richard announces ‘And now for the moment you have all been waiting for! Please welcome Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki!’

F/N starts squealing ‘Oh My God’ over and over again grabbing your arm. This is it! You’re finally going to see him!

And there he is. All 6ft 1 of him. Broad chest and shoulders, dressed in tight blue jeans, plaid shirt and cowboy boots. You have never seen anyone so beautiful in your entire life. Your heart literally stops and your breath catches in your throat.

Jensen looks around the room smiling and waving, and his eyes glance past you. His head swings back. Amazing green eyes meet yours. He grins straight at you and your stomach falls into your feet. Wait...did that really just happen? Did he pick you out from the crowd or was it just wishful thinking? You look behind you, thinking he must have been distracted by someone or something else, but when you turn back towards the stage those eyes are still staring at you. With a shy, almost coy smile, he lowers his eyes and turns away.

You spin around to look at F/N but she is mesmerised, staring at Jared. Her mouth hangs open, eyes shining. You have to admit, he is a very good looking guy, but nothing compared to Jensen. You’re still not sure what just happened with him. Could he really have been looking at you?

‘Don’t be stupid,’ you tell yourself, ‘there are hundreds of people in this room, why would he be looking at you!?’

You realise you’re not actually taking in anything that’s going on on the stage as you are so caught up in your own little fantasy, so you snap yourself out of it, and get your head back in the room. The boys are sitting on the stools, microphones in hand poised for questions. A plethora of shouts come from the crowd, so Jensen raises his hand, causing the room to fall silent.

‘Good evening Manchester!’ he says and bows followed by Jared. ‘Let’s crack on with the questions’

As you are at the front of the auditorium you have the best view of the boys. Questions come from people all around you, about Supernatural, their relationship with each other, other casts members and their personal lives.

‘Yes we are both single,’ Jared answers which raises a woop from the crowd.

F/N nudges you and winks ‘I swear Jensen is looking at you!’ nodding her head towards him. You glance up, and sure enough, those mesmerising eyes meet yours. You hold his gaze, smiling slightly, and tilt your head to the side. You can feel your cheeks start to redden but are determined not to be the first one to look away.

Just then, Jared starts nudging him, ‘Hey buddy! Cat got your tongue?!’

He turns away, smirking, but not before slowly licking those incredible plump lips. F/N almost loses it, gripping your hand whispering, ‘He is totally flirting with you I’m telling you!’

‘Don’t be mental!’ you tell her, laughing, but inside your shaking. Is he? No, he can’t be?

The questions keep on coming until Jensen picks up the guitar. There is an audible hush around the room when he starts to play. His fingers move quickly and deftly over the strings and you recognise the song. It’s ‘Love Walked In’ by Thunder. He slowly raises his head to the microphone, looks you straight in the eye and starts to sing.

‘So tired of waiting I walked an empty land

I was looking for something to help me understand But bad luck kept turning my dreams into sand I didn't want pity, I had my share of friends I wanted somebody more special than the rest I was aching inside like I was approaching the end Just about that moment the timing was so right You appeared like a vision sent down to my life I thought I was dreaming when I saw you that night

That's when love walked in through my door That familiar feeling I had once before love walked in through my door And it felt so strange’

You stare intently at him the whole time he is singing. The look on his face and the sparkle in his eyes makes you realise that you haven’t been imagining it. It’s as though you are the only two people in the room. You are certain that time has stopped and your lungs fail to take in deep breaths.

All too soon the song ends to huge applause. Jensen finally averts his gaze from yours and puts the guitar back on its stand.

‘Thank you so much!’ he says bowing ‘hopefully see you at the photo opportunity!’ The boys leave the stage, both of them glancing over their shoulders straight at you and F/N.

‘What the fuck just happened then!’ F/N yells throwing her arms around you in tight hug. ‘That man wants you Y/N. He didn’t stop staring at you the whole time he was singing! It’s as though he was undressing you with his eyes!’

Could she be right? All sorts of thoughts are flying around your brain. He probably does this all the time. Chooses someone in the crowd to make feel good for those few moments, then moves on to the next girl.

F/N looks at her watch,‘Come on Y/N. The photo opp with the boys is starting now. I can’t wait to get my hands on Jared!’

You and F/N rush through the throng of people to a side room where quite a crowd has gathered. You sigh, knowing it’s going to be a long wait for you to see Jensen again. The queue seems to go on forever and you can feel yourself getting more and more impatient. After what feels like an eternity, you can finally see them. Laughing and smiling with fans, camera flashes going off all around. F/N sequels, clapping her hands together. ‘Almost there Y/N!’

It’s your turn. Jensen has his back to you, a glass of water in his hand. He turns, and spots you waiting. His beautiful face lights up, lips turning into the biggest smile and he beckons you over. You can hardly move your legs they are shaking so much, but you manage to put one foot in front of the other and walk over to him.

‘Hey!’ He says, his 6ft 1 frame huge compared to yours. You catch a faint whiff of his aftershave and he smells incredible.

“H-hi." you stutter, closing your eyes tightly as you silently curse yourself for your nerves.

‘What’s your name?’ he asks beaming at you.

‘I’m Y/N and this is F/N.’ Gesturing to your friend, but she is completely distracted by Jared who is already engaged in a full blown conversation with her.

‘Y/N,’ he says quietly in his deep, sexy voice. Wow! It sounded even better than you ever imagined when you had fantasised about this moment. ‘I saw you in the crowd, you were sat at the front right?’ He asks.

‘Yes,’ you reply, ‘And you sang one of my favorite songs!’

‘I could tell by looking at you that you would be a rock chick,’ he responds, eyes travelling down your body, back up to your face, ‘girl after my own heart.’

You swallow hard, not quite believing you are having this conversation with him. ‘Look’ he says, putting his arm around you and pulling you towards him. He looks around conspiratorially, ‘I hate the fact we only get a few minutes to chat to everyone, and this is really not something I would normally do, but I can’t leave this town not having gotten to know you a little bit better.’

Your heart stops then quickly picks up its beat again. ‘Well, we are here for the weekend so if you have any down time....’ you say confidently, although inside you have turned to jelly.

Jensen turns away, reaches for a piece of paper and a pen, ‘Write your number down, quickly, before they move you long,’ he chuckles, handing them to you. You do as he asks. The photographer is growing impatient, so Jensen whispers 'How about photo of us?’ and slides his arm around your waist. You reach behind him and silently slip the paper with your number on into the back pocket of his jeans. You feel the swell of his fantastic ass under your hand as you do so and are amazed at how wonderful it feels.

He looks at you and winks, understanding what you have just done, and places his hand on your face, turning you to look at him just as the camera goes off. You smirk up at him, staring into his eyes, hoping this moment could last forever.

‘Can I text you later?’ he husks. All you can do is nod. He gives you a quick hug and steps away from you. You feel F/N grab your arm,shouting ‘Thanks guys you are amazing!’ as she pulls you away.

‘You are not going to believe what just happened!’ F/N squeals, jumping up and down on the spot.

‘Jared asked for your number?’ you ask.

‘How did you know?’

‘Because Jensen asked for mine too!’ You grin as you say it, still not believing it just happened ‘Don’t get too excited though,’ you warn F/N, ‘it doesn’t mean to say they will contact us.’

‘Come on,’ you say to F/N, ‘Let’s check out the expedition hall. I’m starving and there are food and drink stands there. Let’s grab something to eat.’

You're not really that hungry, but need to do something to occupy yourself and after that encounter with Jensen, you need some sugar. You make your way towards the hall, and wander around trying to decide what to get. There’s plenty on offer, and decide on a pancake with maple syrup, and a Diet Coke, hoping it will calm the butterflies that are zooming around in your stomach. F/N heads off to find somewhere to sit as you go to the stand to place your orders.

Tray in hand, you make your way through the crowd to the table she has found. Dropping down into the seat opposite F/N, you take a small bite of your food. It’s delicious, but your mouth is so dry you find it hard to swallow. You take a sip of the Diet Coke, and try to relax.

The first few bars of ‘Back in Black’ alerts you that you have a text, so you pull your phone from your back pocket.

‘Fucking hell!’ You almost drop it when you see the message. Jensen has actually texted you! What the fuck!? How are you going to respond?

‘Nnnooooo,’ F/N yells snatching the phone off you, almost choking on her pancake. ‘Oh my God Y/N. Answer him!’

You take the phone back off her and hand shaking, type a message back. The responses come thick and fast.

CHAPTER TWO

[dirtysupernaturalimagines]

The Best Weekend Of Your Life - Chapter 1

Summary: You are obsessed with Supernatural and go to a convention with your best friend. You are 100% a Dean girl while your friend is a Sam girl. Both Jensen and Jared are single in this. You both catch the guys attention and things go from there.

Pairing: Jensen x reader, Jared x readers best friend

Word Count: 2774

Warning: Romance, fluff

This is my first attempt at fan fic so if it sucks I apologise! All comments gratefully received

It was finally here. You and F/N have been waiting months for the Supernatural convention and have managed to book a room in the same hotel it’s being held in for the whole weekend. You are both obsessed with the show. You have lost count of the amount of times you have fantasized about Jensen Ackles. The way his hands would feel on your skin, how he would smell and how your name would sound coming from those perfect lips. This was going to be a weekend to remember.

It had taken you a long time and many outfit changes to decide what you were going to wear. Finally you made your mind up and went for your trusty tight fitting Levi’s, a black bodysuit with lace sleeves, black knee high boots with 4 inch stiletto heels and cropped leather biker jacket. You had your hair dyed the deep shade of red you knew suited you and your 80’s rock chick makeup was down to a fine art.

Waiting at the train station with F/N, you can’t contain your excitement. You feel like a child on Christmas morning.

‘Fuck F/N! I can’t believe we are really going to see them in the flesh! I just know I’m gonna do something stupid in front of Jensen though. You know what I’m like!’

‘Yep Y/N, you are pretty clumsy but I’m pretty sure they are going to be way too busy to take any notice of us anyway. Can you imagine how many other people are going to be there?’ said F/N.

Your heart sinks when you realise all the effort you put into your outfit and make up will no doubt be for nothing, but you can’t let the boys see you without at least trying to look good.

The train pulls up and you and F/N board. It’s only a 20 minute journey and you could have easily come home rather than fork out £120 for a room, but you didn’t want to miss any part of the convention and the last train was at 10.20pm.

You arrive at the hotel and check into your room. Glancing at your watch you see it’s 11.30am, and the Q&A with the cast starts at 12pm so you and F/N just have time to unpack your cases, touch up your makeup, and spray some perfume. You take one last glance at your reflection ‘You're going to knock them dead Y/N’ you whisper.

Leaving the room you make your way to the lifts. Following the signs through reception, you enter a huge function room with what must be 1,000 chairs and the same amount of people milling about. There is a stage at the front of the room, with stools, microphones and a guitar setup. Your heart is beating a tattoo in your chest and you feel like you’re finding it hard to breath you’re that excited.

‘Quick Y/N,’ says F/N ‘There are two chairs right at the front!’ She grabs your hand and with a determined shove, pushes through the crowd. You reach the chairs just as two other girls get to them. Being her usual feisty self F/N dives in front of them glaring up at them, ‘I don’t think so!’ she hisses and plonks herself down, pulling you onto the other chair giggling as the girls slink away.

Getting yourself comfortable you pull out the itenary for the weekend. Other cast members are going to be answering questions, but you are only really interested in the boys. You have your ticket ready for the photo opportunity with them, and can’t wait for the moment you finally get to interact with Jensen. The talk from others who have met him is that he is much taller in real life than he seems on TV. That's why you wore heels in case it's true. You stand at 5ft without them, so that you don't want to look like a proper short arse beside him. And with Jared being 6ft 4 you would look even more ridiculous without heels. Luckily F/N is 5ft 8 with a body like a supermodel so she is going to look amazing next to Jared.

F/N grabs your hand and squeezes it, smiling broadly at you as the lights go down. Richard Speight Jr and Rob Benedict, the MC’s walk onto the stage.

One by one they introduce a few of the Supernatural cast. With thunderous applause, Jim Beaver, Ruth Connell, Mark Sheppard and Samantha Smith take to the stage, and entertain the crowd, answering questions and telling stories about each other. Finally, even though you have really enjoyed hearing them speak, it is time for the main attraction.

Your heart starts thumping and you feel your palms getting clammy when Richard announces ‘And now for the moment you have all been waiting for! Please welcome Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki!’

F/N starts squealing ‘Oh My God’ over and over again grabbing your arm. This is it! You’re finally going to see him!

And there he is. All 6ft 1 of him. Broad chest and shoulders, dressed in tight blue jeans, plaid shirt and cowboy boots. You have never seen anyone so beautiful in your entire life. Your heart literally stops and your breath catches in your throat.

Jensen looks around the room smiling and waving, and his eyes glance past you. His head swings back. Amazing green eyes meet yours. He grins straight at you and your stomach falls into your feet. Wait...did that really just happen? Did he pick you out from the crowd or was it just wishful thinking? You look behind you, thinking he must have been distracted by someone or something else, but when you turn back towards the stage those eyes are still staring at you. With a shy, almost coy smile, he lowers his eyes and turns away.

You spin around to look at F/N but she is mesmerised, staring at Jared. Her mouth hangs open, eyes shining. You have to admit, he is a very good looking guy, but nothing compared to Jensen. You’re still not sure what just happened with him. Could he really have been looking at you?

‘Don’t be stupid,’ you tell yourself, ‘there are hundreds of people in this room, why would he be looking at you!?’

You realise you’re not actually taking in anything that’s going on on the stage as you are so caught up in your own little fantasy, so you snap yourself out of it, and get your head back in the room. The boys are sitting on the stools, microphones in hand poised for questions. A plethora of shouts come from the crowd, so Jensen raises his hand, causing the room to fall silent.

‘Good evening Manchester!’ he says and bows followed by Jared. ‘Let’s crack on with the questions’

As you are at the front of the auditorium you have the best view of the boys. Questions come from people all around you, about Supernatural, their relationship with each other, other casts members and their personal lives.

‘Yes we are both single,’ Jared answers which raises a woop from the crowd.

F/N nudges you and winks ‘I swear Jensen is looking at you!’ nodding her head towards him. You glance up, and sure enough, those mesmerising eyes meet yours. You hold his gaze, smiling slightly, and tilt your head to the side. You can feel your cheeks start to redden but are determined not to be the first one to look away.

Just then, Jared starts nudging him, ‘Hey buddy! Cat got your tongue?!’

He turns away, smirking, but not before slowly licking those incredible plump lips. F/N almost loses it, gripping your hand whispering, ‘He is totally flirting with you I’m telling you!’

‘Don’t be mental!’ you tell her, laughing, but inside your shaking. Is he? No, he can’t be?

The questions keep on coming until Jensen picks up the guitar. There is an audible hush around the room when he starts to play. His fingers move quickly and deftly over the strings and you recognise the song. It’s ‘Love Walked In’ by Thunder. He slowly raises his head to the microphone, looks you straight in the eye and starts to sing.

‘So tired of waiting I walked an empty land

I was looking for something to help me understand

But bad luck kept turning my dreams into sand

I didn't want pity, I had my share of friends

I wanted somebody more special than the rest

I was aching inside like I was approaching the end

Just about that moment the timing was so right

You appeared like a vision sent down to my life

I thought I was dreaming when I saw you that night

That's when love walked in through my door

That familiar feeling I had once before

love walked in through my door

And it felt so strange’

You stare intently at him the whole time he is singing. The look on his face and the sparkle in his eyes makes you realise that you haven’t been imagining it. It’s as though you are the only two people in the room. You are certain that time has stopped and your lungs fail to take in deep breaths.

All too soon the song ends to huge applause. Jensen finally averts his gaze from yours and puts the guitar back on its stand.

‘Thank you so much!’ he says bowing ‘hopefully see you at the photo opportunity!’ The boys leave the stage, both of them glancing over their shoulders straight at you and F/N.

‘What the fuck just happened then!’ F/N yells throwing her arms around you in tight hug. ‘That man wants you Y/N. He didn’t stop staring at you the whole time he was singing! It’s as though he was undressing you with his eyes!’

Could she be right? All sorts of thoughts are flying around your brain. He probably does this all the time. Chooses someone in the crowd to make feel good for those few moments, then moves on to the next girl.

F/N looks at her watch,‘Come on Y/N. The photo opp with the boys is starting now. I can’t wait to get my hands on Jared!’

You and F/N rush through the throng of people to a side room where quite a crowd has gathered. You sigh, knowing it’s going to be a long wait for you to see Jensen again. The queue seems to go on forever and you can feel yourself getting more and more impatient. After what feels like an eternity, you can finally see them. Laughing and smiling with fans, camera flashes going off all around. F/N sequels, clapping her hands together. ‘Almost there Y/N!’

It’s your turn. Jensen has his back to you, a glass of water in his hand. He turns, and spots you waiting. His beautiful face lights up, lips turning into the biggest smile and he beckons you over. You can hardly move your legs they are shaking so much, but you manage to put one foot in front of the other and walk over to him.

‘Hey!’ He says, his 6ft 1 frame huge compared to yours. You catch a faint whiff of his aftershave and he smells incredible.

“H-hi." you stutter, closing your eyes tightly as you silently curse yourself for your nerves.

‘What’s your name?’ he asks beaming at you.

‘I’m Y/N and this is F/N.’ Gesturing to your friend, but she is completely distracted by Jared who is already engaged in a full blown conversation with her.

‘Y/N,’ he says quietly in his deep, sexy voice. Wow! It sounded even better than you ever imagined when you had fantasised about this moment. ‘I saw you in the crowd, you were sat at the front right?’ He asks.

‘Yes,’ you reply, ‘And you sang one of my favorite songs!’

‘I could tell by looking at you that you would be a rock chick,’ he responds, eyes travelling down your body, back up to your face, ‘girl after my own heart.’

You swallow hard, not quite believing you are having this conversation with him. ‘Look’ he says, putting his arm around you and pulling you towards him. He looks around conspiratorially, ‘I hate the fact we only get a few minutes to chat to everyone, and this is really not something I would normally do, but I can’t leave this town not having gotten to know you a little bit better.’

Your heart stops then quickly picks up its beat again. ‘Well, we are here for the weekend so if you have any down time....’ you say confidently, although inside you have turned to jelly.

Jensen turns away, reaches for a piece of paper and a pen, ‘Write your number down, quickly, before they move you long,’ he chuckles, handing them to you. You do as he asks. The photographer is growing impatient, so Jensen whispers 'How about photo of us?’ and slides his arm around your waist. You reach behind him and silently slip the paper with your number on into the back pocket of his jeans. You feel the swell of his fantastic ass under your hand as you do so and are amazed at how wonderful it feels.

He looks at you and winks, understanding what you have just done, and places his hand on your face, turning you to look at him just as the camera goes off. You smirk up at him, staring into his eyes, hoping this moment could last forever.

‘Can I text you later?’ he husks. All you can do is nod. He gives you a quick hug and steps away from you. You feel F/N grab your arm,shouting ‘Thanks guys you are amazing!’ as she pulls you away.

‘You are not going to believe what just happened!’ F/N squeals, jumping up and down on the spot.

‘Jared asked for your number?’ you ask.

‘How did you know?’

‘Because Jensen asked for mine too!’ You grin as you say it, still not believing it just happened ‘Don’t get too excited though,’ you warn F/N, ‘it doesn’t mean to say they will contact us.’

‘Come on,’ you say to F/N, ‘Let’s check out the expedition hall. I’m starving and there are food and drink stands there. Let’s grab something to eat.’

You're not really that hungry, but need to do something to occupy yourself and after that encounter with Jensen, you need some sugar. You make your way towards the hall, and wander around trying to decide what to get. There’s plenty on offer, and decide on a pancake with maple syrup, and a Diet Coke, hoping it will calm the butterflies that are zooming around in your stomach. F/N heads off to find somewhere to sit as you go to the stand to place your orders.

Tray in hand, you make your way through the crowd to the table she has found. Dropping down into the seat opposite F/N, you take a small bite of your food. It’s delicious, but your mouth is so dry you find it hard to swallow. You take a sip of the Diet Coke, and try to relax.

The first few bars of ‘Back in Black’ alerts you that you have a text, so you pull your phone from your back pocket.

‘Fucking hell!’ You almost drop it when you see the message. Jensen has actually texted you! What the fuck!? How are you going to respond?

‘Nnnooooo,’ F/N yells snatching the phone off you, almost choking on her pancake. ‘Oh my God Y/N. Answer him!’

You take the phone back off her and hand shaking, type a message back. The responses come thick and fast.

[eladrins]

Desktop was dispatched from PCS on Monday, and I'd selected the Weekday Before 2pm option. 2pm Tuesday came and went, I start work at 3pm so I waited as long as I could without being late and then left for work, and used the DPD app to select Morning delivery on Wednesday, paying extra for it.

Wednesday I again waited in all morning for it, at 11.30am I got an update that my parcel was out for delivery and was 45 minutes away. I had to go to the pharmacy at the end of the street (5 mins walk) and I'd been putting it off all morning, so I figured 45 minutes, plenty of time to walk 5 minutes and be back. Nope. at 11.37 while I was walking back down the street the app suddenly changed from 30 minutes away with X number of stops before me to showing a photo of my doorway clearly taken from inside the vehicle very hurriedly and I literally watched the van pull away and drive past me as I stood outside my flat. I tried to phone DPD through the app but it only gave me automated options and no option to select to talk to a person. By the time I eventually got to speak to a human it had been another 15 minutes and I was informed that the van was now too far away to come back and it would be Thursday now.

I explained that it absolutely has to be before 2pm because I work and that leaving with a neighbor is not an option because they already steal my post, they would definitely steal an expensive PC. I was told that because it's the run up to Christmas things were difficult but they'd do their best. However today again, it has not even left the depot at 3pm.

I spoke to a different customer service person who called the depot and then told me that because it is a Franchise depot and not a regular DPD depot, they are apparently not bound by the usual DPD delivery slots and can just deliver whenever, even though they have been happy to take the payments for the scheduled delivery.

I asked about weekend delivery, and was told that the service person cannot find out if they can do weekend delivery (because they might not as they're a franchise) until approximately 3.30pm when the parcel is out for delivery. I didn't really understand why that question had to wait til it was out for delivery today, I already know I won't be home and it seemed silly to let them try to deliver it instead of just keeping it at the Depot but the lady said that's just the way they have to do it and sounded quite snippy.

So right now, I feel kind of at a loss of what to do. If they won't do weekend delivery, cannot commit to delivering before 2pm even when that option has been paid for twice, and apparently don't even get out of the van when luck strikes and it is out for delivery before 2pm, what do I do? The lady kept saying about picking it up from a collection point but I don't have a car and I imagine a desktop will be bulky and on the heavier side and I don't want to risk dropping it.

[chuffyfan87]

A Welcome Visitor. Part 5a

Cowritten with @fairheads.

-x-

Sunlight filtered through the curtains in Charlie’s bedroom. Somehow in the night the pair of them had ended up snuggled together, but now upon waking, Charlie attempted to move away without waking her up.

She let out a groan at the movement but didn't awaken.

Charlie carefully got up and went to the bathroom. His head hurt but his hand hurt more, why had he been so unable to keep his anger in check? So stupid? He pulled his robe on and, making his way downstairs, set about making some much needed coffee.

It was another half hour before Duffy dragged herself downstairs to join him.

By that time, Charlie was sitting on the back step, on his second cup.

"Remind me to never drink with Chloe ever again." Duffy grumbled.

“I was thinking the same,” He looked up at her. She was wearing one of his t shirts, it made him smile.

"What happened to your hand?" She asked confused that it was bandaged.

“Err,” He wondered if she had forgotten the entire evening. “I was angry, and stupid, it hurts.”

"Did you pick a fight with someone?" She paused. "Was I sick last night?"

“Not someone, a fence, you threw up a couple of times on the way home, don’t you remember?” She seemed to have completely forgotten the entire evening.

"You punched a fence?!"

Charlie looked embarrassed. “Admitted, it wasn’t my best idea, I was just so angry.”

"What got you so angry?" She asked, moving to sit beside him and rest her aching head on his shoulder.

“Duffy, you told me about Paul last night, don’t you remember?” He spoke softly, not moving to put an arm around her as he normally would.

Confusion gave way to shock. "I..."

“It’s okay,” He reassured her.

"I'm sorry."

“You did your best,” He tried to smile at her.

"I meant to tell you in a better way."

“How did you want to tell me?”

"I don't know." She sighed. "When I was sober at the very least."

He finally wrapped his arm around her. “I know it wasn’t how you wanted, but thank you for telling me.”

"You're not angry anymore?"

He shrugged, “I’m not going to lie, I’m angry for the lost time and the fact you lied to me Duffy, but I’ve just been out here thinking. I can’t do anything to bring that time back but I can be there moving forward. If you’ll let me?”

"I don't want to lose you. I want to make this work."

“Shall we start again?” He looked at her and smiled.

"Can we?"

“Only if you make sure I don’t hit any more fences,” He smiled, rolling his eyes, lifting his bandaged hand up.

"So long as you make sure I don't throw up in the street again."

“Deal,” He agreed, going to shake her hand with his bandaged hand. “And no more secrets, I want you to be able to tell me anything. I want to be part of Paul’s life.”

"Does that mean you want me to tell the boys about us?"

“When you’re ready, I’m not pushing you to do anything, we can take it slow.” He reached down and rested his hand on her bare thigh, his t shirt had ridden up when she sat down. It was the most contact they’d had since before Duffy’s revelation.

"Maybe after Christmas."

“See if we can last until then you mean?” He questioned, once again uncertain.

"Well I'm sure everyone at work probably knows by now. I'll talk to mum first before sitting the boys down."

“Yeah, we didn’t do a very good job of hiding it last night,” His thoughts went back to the dance floor. “You do still want us to give this a go..?”

"Yes, more than anything."

Charlie looked relieved, he pulled her into him. “What time is Paul’s appointment?”

"Um... 11.30am."

“So we have a bit of time...” He winked, pulling her onto his lap.

She looked up at the clock. It was just before 9am. "We do..."

“Any ideas?” He whispered, kissing her ear.

"We could have breakfast in bed..."

“I think that sounds like a most excellent idea,” He said whilst kissing her neck. There was an urgent desire to make up with her.

She started to giggle.

Charlie’s hands crept under the t shirt. “I like you wearing my t shirt.”

"My dress smelt a bit funny." She wrinkled her nose.

“Well this looks almost as good on you,” He winked.

"I might just keep it."

“You can wear it and remember me when you’re in that big, lonely bed of yours.”

"It does feel awful empty when you're not there."

“It’s good that you have something to remind you of me then, I wouldn’t want you to forget me...”

"I could hardly do that." She smiled softly.

Charlie kissed her gently, before scooping her up and carrying her inside.

She squealed and giggled. She hadn't expected him to do that!

“Breakfast or bed?” He laughed, Duffy still suspended in his arms.

"Breakfast IN bed." She giggled.

Charlie carried her all the way upstairs, dropping her lightly on the bed.

"So what we going to eat?" She asked, a suggestive look in her eyes.

“I was just going to make us some toast...” Charlie stood up to go.

"I'll make myself comfortable whilst I wait then..." She grinned, stretching out on the bed.

Charlie didn’t want to leave her, he leant down to kiss her. “Back in a minute then...”

"OK. Don't burn the toast." She teased as she stretched her arms above her head.

“I’ll think I can manage,” He laughed. Running downstairs, he prepared the toast as fast as he could, and made two cups of tea.

Even though he was only gone a matter of minutes Duffy had dozed off by the time he arrived back upstairs.

Charlie set the tray on the side and climbed into bed with her, his hand coming to wrap around her tummy.

She mumbled sleepily at the contact.

“Tea and toast?” He whispered, spooning his body behind hers.

"Chuck some aspirin in too and I might feel more human again."

He held her in his arms, “Your wish is my command.” He giggled.

"You're the best." She smiled.

Reaching into his bedside drawer, he passed her the aspirin and then moved the tray so it was next to them. “I like it when you let me look after you.” He smiled.

"I feel too lousy to look after myself." She snorted.

“Well allow me,” He handed her the aspirin and a glass of water.

She knocked back the pills. "I hope this is the good stuff."

“Hopefully you’ll feel better soon,” He smiled. He sat up against the head of the bed with his tea.

"I'm never drinking again!" She grumbled.

“Not quite the night we planned hey, so much for sneaking off early,” He laughed.

"I blame Chloe!"

“Yes, a very bad influence that girl,” He agreed.

"Very bad." She agreed, reaching for her mug of tea.

Charlie sat in silence, watching her.

"Mum thinks I stayed at Colette's last night."

“Okay, so should I drop you back in that direction?”

"I thought you were coming with me?"

“I want to come with you, but how do we explain that to your mum?”

"We could say that you picked me up from Colette's coz she had to go to Josh's?"

“Good plan.” He agreed.

After getting dressed and dropping by her house so she could get changed they then drove onto her mum's house. Once outside Duffy suddenly got an attack of the nerves.

Charlie noticed, Duffy was very quiet and she couldn’t keep her hands still. “You okay?”

"She'll see right through me!"

“What do you mean?”

"She'll know I'm lying about where I was last night and she'll be cross."

“I don’t think she’ll be able to tell Duffy...”

"You sure?"

He reached for her hand. “I’m sure. I really want to kiss you, but I won’t.”

"That really would blow our cover!" She giggled.

Charlie looked frustrated, he squeezed her hand.

She reached out and rang the doorbell.

Kate opened the door, with Paul on her hip and the other two close behind.

"I was starting to wonder how long the two of you were going to lurk on my doorstep for..." Kate remarked.

"Oh... Erm..." Duffy stammered.

“Colette had to go, so she asked me to give Duffy a lift.” Charlie took the lead, as Duffy floundered.

"Is that so..?" Kate replied, moving to let them in.

Charlie looked at Duffy, as if to say I tried.

"I need to get Paul to his appointment. I'll pick the boys up after lunch if that's OK?" Duffy asked.

“Fine, is he going with you?” Kate referred to Charlie pointedly.

"Yeh, my car is still at home so Charlie is going to give us a lift."

“See you later then.” Kate replied.

Duffy couldn't quite meet her mum's eye as she took Paul from her along with his changing bag. Seeing she had her hands full Charlie reached down to pick up the tot's carseat.

Charlie couldn’t take his eyes off Paul, now knowing what he did. He carried the car seat out to the car.

Once Paul was settled in the back of the car Duffy finally spoke again to give Charlie the directions to the health clinic.

Charlie drove without saying much, he hadn’t anticipated such animosity from Duffy’s mum. He parked outside the clinic. “You ready for this?”

"I shouldn't feel so nervous." She sighed. "Its not like I've not done this before."

“Paul’s doing well though right? I mean he looks happy, healthy. So there shouldn’t be any problems?”

"He's a little on the small size for his age but he was slightly early."

“We’ll find out what they say soon enough. Would it be okay if I carried him in..?”

"If you want to..?"

Charlie nodded. “Hello little man, daddy’s here, let’s go see how you’re doing.” He removed Paul from his car seat and shut the car door.

Duffy's heart skipped at Charlie's words.

Charlie smiled at Duffy. “Let’s do this!” Paul in his arms, he touched Duffy’s back both to tell her he was there for her but also guiding them all into the clinic.

This time she felt a little more confident and able to meet the gaze of the various other parents in the room, all of whom were waiting for the same clinic.

Before long, Paul’s name was called and Duffy stood up. Charlie suddenly became a little nervous, he remained seated.

[lapeaudelamemoire]

Sleepily, making my way to a shop some four suburbs over, waiting for the bus. I haven't once yet been to a cafe since being back.

No, now I'm on the bus taking the long way round to the last shop I went to, where I left my card too tired last night.

This life with you a long time away now; but the reverberations sound beneath my feet, soles painted up, like the name on the bottom of Woody’s shoe in the original Toy Story. You still take me places, even in prolonged, growing, indefinite absence - I go where you would, new north graven in the interior compass.

I’m writing because this track is on, and it makes me want to, and it’s 3.26am in my old bedroom and everyone is asleep in the house, and God knows how many nights there are left like this; for sure this moment is only one, now, only this moment, existing once.

Today bruised knees on linoleum floors, carpeted shophouse floor, tiled and cold floors. Today walking through places I would never usually venture; taking buses to the city, the long way, the winding, the highway trips, walks in this heat that even for 10 minutes seems long, finding my way places you’d go, not me-at-21/22/23.

Noise at the front door gate, suddenly reminded that here, the newspapers are delivered between the hours of 3 and 5am, Indian men walking quickly through the night hard, working, floor by floor methodical, dropping the heavy folds of news on ink and dust-smelling paper, silent, while everyone else sleeps in bed with the night.

What I’m trying to say is looking up at the skyscrapes against that sky sharp as outline ceiling of day peeking through the glass and metal and names in large block fonts the city is a new one to me because it’s not my city; it’d be yours, if you were here, or the one who lived here, or if you were visiting [again]; I map a city that you’d make yours or would be yours by those pathways; if the city were a brain the roads my feet trace would be the neural pathways and the shops I linger in the lit-up places where activity congregates, concentrates. I am, everywhere, now, mapping a list of places you should go, if you were to come [there]. Here is a cafe you’d enjoy, laugh at the neon lines of; this building which houses the record shop you liked most when you were here that it’s since moved to a new hub of creative crafts, including a shop for coding lessons, a shop space an empty room with a single neon-built house with a sign for Design Week, and most importantly, a graff art place upstairs from the record shop; this is where your boss would like to set up office if one transplanted the studio from London to Singapore; the list goes on, and on, and on...

I am mentally curating an exhaustive, ever-expanding list of cool places you should check out, a personalised experience of recommendations around the cities I inhabit or spend time in tailored to what I recall as your tastes. There’s this one mural in Brunswick in Melbourne that’s Tribe stretched across it, a whole tribute homage on a wall that you should really see. There’s this one alley in Singapore now right by the back of the mosque in Kampong Glam that’s a pretty sick art-ed up little lane all paint. This is the list of record shops you’d really like in Sg, as of 13/07/2019: Choice Cuts (451 Joo Chiat Rd, Singapore 427664, 11am to 9pm every day but open till 11pm weekends, closed on Mondays; by the way, Dre remembers you/me); White Label Records (28 Ann Siang Rd, #01-01, Singapore 069708, 11am to 12am every day save Sundays, when it shuts at 5pm instead, closed Mondays); The Analog Vault, which you might remember (8 Raffles Ave, #02 - 10, Singapore 039802, 1pm to 9pm every day); and for sure, The Barbershop Music (311A Geylang Rd, Singapore 389350, 11.30am to 8.30pm all weekdays save Tuesdays, when they’re closed, and 9.30am to 7pm weekends); Vinyl Kakis, for Japanese stuff (5 Coleman St, #B1-28 Excelsior Shopping Centre, Singapore 179805, weekdays 12.30pm to 7pm, Saturdays 12pm to 8pm, closed Sundays); and lastly, for jazz - a whole loft, RetroCrates (448a Joo Chiat Rd, Singapore 427661, 12pm to 7pm Tuesdays to Thursdays, 12pm to 8pm Fridays and Saturdays, 12pm to 5pm Sundays, and shut Mondays).

Whoever loves me loves your hands all over me; you understand.

What I wanted to say was, now, it seems, stripping back, lost the rings, dressing in a single layer sundress slip, slippers, bare face, unglamorous - nearly entirely unadorned. Now I’m in flat - or nearly flat - shoes; it’s been months since I’ve worn heels of 5 inches (although I’m most often in platform boots measuring 4 inches in height); now I’m going record shopping without a camera, without dressing up, without so much as even selfies or pictures of a haul.

What I wanted to say which I nearly forgot is how much desire stopped. Gone are the laces against skin, stockings and suspender belts, strappy bras and cut-out bralettes, high-waisted knickers black and bodysuits sleek. No seeking out rooftops, no hip bars or fancy hotels sought. Not this time, anyway. I’m learning to vinyl-dig without you; now I’m frequently going to that site you look up for record information. I take less pictures; rarely use my camera any more. It’s as if there’s nothing worth taking pictures of, or dressing up for, or maybe I’m just too tired or too lazy to bother. When I go back to Melbourne I’ll be scouring for a record player. Weird things, weird things. I think I saw your turntables behind the counter of Analog, was it a/were they Technics?

There’s this one track that set me off, again, you see. I heard it and it was one of those tracks that just - hit a spot inside you that feels like the centre of that feeling, and the track’s an outpouring that’s the stuff of you would sound like, near exactly, ya dig? A little like hearing World’s End Rhapsody at 5 that morning, or Flume’s Warm Thoughts for the first time like a revelation in a different room in a small town in Norway at 19. The sound of a - that euphoria of meeting someone and falling in love, you get me. Zakochanie/forelsket. You’re the type of girl that I was dying to meet. God, does he sound impassioned about it. In the background, triumphant and joyous music. It’s an announcement, a herald. He says it again. That’s the hook - the thing that keeps you. Yeah, you’re the type of girl I was dying to meet, he reasserts.

Anyway, yeah, now I’m the one about to go giving out love songs in hip-hop form playing this for my girl with a giant geeky grin or something. This’ll be me dedicating music or sending it over to someone to say how I feel about them. You did that, moved my hand. I look like you. You said that thing about hip-hop and culture connecting people. I walked into your room and now I’ve taken you home with me, into me. Funny thing. Like you’re the needle and I’m the wax. And every revolution you dig deeper in.

That DJ in the shop from 2 years ago, Dre? I asked if it was the cap that he recognised me by; he said maybe, or maybe it was the way it was worn, backwards. You know, (since I’m here, and while I’m talking, guess what) I got over at Analog - that Tribe/Pharcyde mash-up, Bizarre Tribe, that you got two years ago, the exact one that’s in the picture of us that’s up on Choice’s Insta. I guess I got it for sentimental reasons - well, and also the fact that it’s kinda rare now, I think.

I’m beginning to wonder how much - how much you in me I can give. You score me so it’s only natural, but I look at a picture of myself, and my hands say you to whoever looks. Still, showing up in ink, in expression - feels natural. What I do, what I keep, what I wear, what I etch. A close friend of the time said then you were a passing ship, but everything passes; and what passes still makes impressions.

So I’m there, or there I am, kneeling, again, on my knees on the floor, again. (I’m often offered a stool or seat while sifting, but I don’t tend to use them.) Funny how you get me in that sit of my body, so easily, I don’t even notice - an automatic, even an act of joy. You know what I remember most about Kentish Town with you? Curled up by your feet under the table, or tableside, on a cushion, or perhaps it under my knees.

Hey, fam. You musta pressed real hard, all those times up on top of me.

[notyoursterotypicalnerd]

Happy Birthday

Masterlist

This jumps between reader and Chris Evans’ point of view.

Summary:  After not seeing each other due to Chris promoting his latest film, he had come home early but you had to work. After coming home from work, you gave him the best birthday present that a girlfriend could give. Word Count: 1216 Warning: Kissing! And a somewhat detailed sex scene!

Hearing your alarm going off, startled you awake, swiping the alarm off on your phone squinting your eyes as you look at the screen.

5am,

You felt his arm around your body and smiled. You weren’t sure what time Chris had come home, you were a horrible girlfriend and went to bed early instead of waiting up for him. You carefully pulled his arm away before getting out of bed and heading to the bathroom for a shower.

Chris warned you that he wouldn’t be home until the weekend, but it was Wednesday which meant he had arrived home a few days early. It was a nice surprise but not when you weren’t prepared for it; he had sent you a message just as he boarded his plane home saying that he would see you tonight, but you thought the message was for someone else.

You came back in the bedroom, standing in your lingerie. How you would kill to just curl up with him. He had been away for a few weeks promoting his latest movie; you had gotten used to him being away from you and was just glad that you hadn’t quit your job because it was the only thing that kept you distracted from boredom when he wasn’t around.

“Keep the shirt off”

You looked up at the shirtless male in your bed as you finished adjusting your belt on your pants “oh how I wish, honey but I don’t think my manager will like me rocking up half dressed.”

“Can’t you just ring up sick.” Chris looked at you with puppy dog eyes.

You shook your head “sorry babe” you grabbed your work shirt and pulled it on, Chris watched as you began to button it up. He would rather watch you undress than dress.

“What time will you be home?”

You shrugged “It’s Wednesday. Wednesdays are ticket days, so I could be home at 11.30am or I could be home after 4pm”

Chris leaned his head back in the pillow “Tell your manager, I hate them.”

“I know you do” You leaned down and kissed his lips; he wrapped his arms around you trying to keep you from pulling away “Chris” you half-heartedly complained.

“Fine but this bed won’t be the same without you” He sighed as he let you go.

“Love you” you said before pushing yourself up and heading out of the room; you grabbed your bag and some snacks to eat on the way to work.

= = =

Chris looked at the calendar that stuck to the fridge; looking at the work hours you had written on the calendar. He had learnt that it was a thing you did otherwise you’d forget what hours you were going to work for the week, he looked at the writing that was on the weekend

Baby’s home!  ❤❤

Was written across Saturday and Sunday’s date in somewhat huge letters fitting across the two square boxes.

He looked at the time written on Wednesday, 6am – 11am.

Worth a shot He thought.

= =

Chris looked at his watch it was 10.35am, he pulled his cap on over his head; grabbing his set of the house keys before heading out. He looked at your car in the carport, you had explained to him when Chris first started staying over during days that you had to work that you never drove your car to work because work was just at the end of the street, so you just walked to and from home; plus, it didn’t waste fuel for when you really needed it. He wasn’t a fan of you walking to work early in the mornings or late at night, it scared him thinking that something could happen to you.

He began to make his way down to your work; keeping his head low trying not keep his identity hidden from those who passed by him.

--

Chris looked down at his watch just as he stepped inside the store, he walked over to the cashier “Is y/n still here?”

The cashier nodded before his jaw dropped stopping who the actor was under the cap.

Chris moved out of the way leaning against the wall waiting for you; he kept his head down.

“Cya” you yelled out to some of your co-workers as you headed towards the entrance doors “Chris?” you asked as you spent the muscular actor waiting for you.

“y/n” He kissed your lips.

“Cya, Josh” you waved bye to the cashier who was still in shock that you knew Chris Evans the actor!

Chris wrapped his arm around your waist as the two of you began to walk home “You know you didn’t have to come pick me up. I told you, Wednesdays are a hassle”

“I had to, y/n” Chris smiled. He had enough of being without you and thought picking you up was the lest he could do.

= = The two of you stepped inside; you dumped your handbag on the table and Chris chucked his keys on the table. He sat back on the lounge to relax for the day as you disappeared into the bedroom to change out of your uniform.

You came back wearing nothing but your lingerie. Chris lost his attention in the tv screen and looked up at you “Ooh...Mama”

You sat on his lap “Happy birthday, baby” you wrapped your arms around his neck as he wrapped his arms around your waist; you pressed your lips against his letting your tongues wrestle among your mouths.

Chris let his hands roam around your body; he had missed every inch of you and didn’t want to miss a detail of your body that he had grown to know so well after the past year of dating.

You could feel his stiffness trying to push past his jeans “How about we do more than just kissing” you purred.

Chris liked what you had on your mind; you climbed off his lap before seductively walking out of the lounge room; he rushed to get his clothes and shoes off as he followed you throwing whatever he took off throughout the lounge room and hallway.

You sat on the bed as he entered the bedroom; he was now just in his briefs.

He inched closer to you as you leaned back on the bed; his lips pressed against your stomach as he kissed his way up to your chest before kissing up your neck. His lips now pressed against yours as the two of you began to remove yours and his underwear.

Feeling him push inside of you; the two of you moved together as you moaned his name; moving faster, moaning louder.

His hands placed next to you keeping his balance as he pushed faster inside of you; your hands wondering over his body, the body that you had missed touching.

“Don’t…Stop!” you screamed out in pleasure.

Chris didn’t want to stop; he wanted you, you wanted him.

= =

He laid down next to you; your head on his chest. His arms around your waist, your hands-on top of his.

Birthday sex was always the best.

“Did you like your present” you looked up at him and smirked.

“Any present from you is the best” He leaned down and kissed your lips.

[survey--s]

216.

survey by brelee

What was the last thing you had to eat and drink?   Prawn cocktail crisps and some Pepsi max.

Do you take any prescription medications?   Yes - tranexamic acid for my periods, but I only take them 2-3 days per month.

Do you enjoy lore?   No, not especially.

Are you afraid of what's in the ocean?   I’m fascinated by the oceans and what’s in them, but I totally understand why the darkness and depth of them really freaks some people out.

Do you think there are people who are capable of doing magic?   Not genuine magic, but obviously there are some amazing tricksters and illusionists out there.

Do you ever like to take a drive late at night?   I love being a passenger at night but not a driver.

When was the last time you visited a museum, if ever?   Uhh years ago. I don’t really like museums - my parents dragged me to so many when I was younger that i really put me off.

Would you ever own a horse, or have you?   I’d love to own one but financially it’s way out of my reach. Just the cost of livery, food, tack etc. is extortionate - let alone the cost of the horse itself.

What is your favorite memory related to rain?   There isn’t anything specific that comes to mind right now.

Does small talk bother you?   It doesn’t bother me as such, but I’m not very good at it and always end up feeling painfully awkward and like I’ve made a fool out of myself.

Do you ever experience sensory overload?   Definitely. I really, really struggle with it actually - loud noises, crowds, smells - I just find it really overwhelming and have to go and be alone.

Do you have a hard time admitting you're wrong?   Yeah, I hate admitting I’m wrong - that doesn’t mean I won’t do it, though.

What do you think you'll be doing 5 years from now? What do you want to do?   I don’t really plan that far ahead as things are always changing and I wouldn’t want to end up being disappointed in myself.

Have you ever written a love letter?   Yeah.

Do you have a hard time making up your mind?   I’m really indecisive when it comes to minor things like choosing where to go for lunch, but I find it really easy to make major life decisions like quitting a job lol.

What's your favorite charity that you support?   Beagle Welfare.

What color are the shoes you wear the most?   They’re black.

Do you consider violet to be purple or blue?   Purple.

If anything was an Olympic sport, what could you win gold for?   Taking surveys.

Have you ever experienced bad karma?   I don’t believe in karma.

Would you rather have whiskers or claws like a cat?   Claws - they’d be great for fighting off attackers and you can always retract them and use your hands normally.

What's something you have a strong opinion on?   Religion.

Do you prefer driving, riding shotgun, or being in the backseat while on the road?   Driving - sitting in the back is a guaranteed way to give me motion sickness and even riding shotgun can cause me issues, lol.

If you ever played Mario Kart, what character did you always choose to play as?   Mario or Peach.

Do you believe that big foot is real? No.

Do you like to learn about different cultures?   Yes.

Do you stay awake til 3am often?   No, I did it all the time as a student/teenager and when I worked the late shift at work, but nowadays I’m normally asleep by 11.30am - maybe a bit later during the holidays.

Do you know anyone or have you ever been bitten by a wild animal?   Nope, just dog/cat bites.

What's the closest object to you that is blue?   The light on the internet router.

When did you last feel full of life?   Yesterday when I did a new move riding and the wind was in my hair and it all felt like it finally came together and I just felt free.

What do you normally daydream about?   Life in general, lol.

Have you ever seen a tornado?   Nope, thankfully we live somewhere with very few natural disasters.

What was the last thing you apologized for?   Treading on the cat, lol.

Do you ever do anything specific for the full moon?   No - is that even a thing?

Do you know anyone or do you practice witchcraft?   My cousin claims to but TBH I think it’s all a load of bollocks, lol.

When was the last time you were sick?   Luckily quite a while ago. I barely seem to get sick now I work outdoors and never see other people, hahah.

What was the last thing you purchased?   Candles for my wax burner and some dog treats as it was cheaper to order the treats instead of paying for delivery lol.

Do you ever plant flowers for the bees?   No, I’m really not very green-fingered.

What makes you feel powerful?   My dog coming back when I call him, lol.

What was your last coffee order?   Iced coffee.

If you had to wear a crown, what would you want it to look like?   A silver tiara with diamonds and rubies.

What was the last thing to scare you?   I can’t remember.

Do you have to sleep with a blanket to sleep well?   Yeah, under a blanket is vital to me, but I often have a foot or a leg out.

Watermelon or strawberries?   Watermelon.

Do you own any clothing in the shade of navy blue?   Yeah, jeans and jumpers, plus some vest tops and pajamas.

What was the last thing that caught your eye while shopping?   A cake, lol.

What's your top 3 groceries you buy each time you grocery shop?   Bread, milk, butter.

Do you ever listen to the radio while driving or bluetooth?   I plug my phone in and play music via Spotify - my car doesn’t have Bluetooth.

Have you ever had a peach smoothie?   Nope.

What's the last song you sang out loud?   I honestly don’t remember.

[paharvey99]

No Waitrose October 8 - Days 16-17

Day 16

The person I live with was at a work thing all day - on a Saturday! – so that left me and the five year old I live with free to do as we please for the day.

Somehow, I convinced the five year old I live with that she really wanted to go to see the autumn colour at Sheffield Park, a National Trust property 15 minutes north from us. It’s best in the autumn, the colours are incredible.

As we approached, scraping over the vicious speedbumps on the road in, I spotted a sign saying that we needed to have the booking reference for our timed arrival ready for inspection at the gates. I’d forgotten that the autumn colour at Sheffield Park makes for boring things like pre-booking and timed arrivals. Gah. Oh well, we didn’t have a booking, but I was sure we could get in anyway. It’s only a bunch of trees.

At the entry desk I showed my National Trust card, and confirmed that no, I hadn’t prebooked, and the person at the desk pursed their lips and said that we could go in on this occasion, but if we were to visit again at any point during the autumn colour season, we really ought to prebook, as it really is their busiest time of year. Bunch. Of. Trees.

We wandered around the paths for a bit admiring the autumn colour and so forth, and then the five year old I live with announced she was hungry. It was only 11.20am, but I thought, what the hey, if we go and get lunch out of the way early we can avoid the crowds in the café and have a nice afternoon admiring the autumn colour.

The café at Sheffield Park is out of the main entrance and through the car park, so we had to go back past the officious person at the gate, who pursed their lips at us again, god knows why.

We reached the café at 11.30am and I ordered two jacket potatoes and the girl behind the till said that they weren’t doing jacket potatoes until 12. Gah. I’d forgotten about this farce. They don’t do hot food until 12, so you can’t go and have a cheeky early lunch to avoid the crowds. I couldn’t help but think that given we’re in the middle of a pandemic that is spreading thanks to people gathering in crowds that maybe they’d want to avoid anything that results in people gathering in crowds and might have thought to start doing jacket potatoes a bit earlier, then I realised I was sounding a bit like a Daily Mail reader so I stopped thinking that.

Luckily the café at Sheffield Park has a second hand bookshop attached to it, so we hung out there for half an hour reading a Dorling Kindersley guide to elephants.

At 12 noon we joined the stampede for jacket potatoes, for which the café staff seemed completely unprepared. There’s a complicated ordering system where you order food and you get a spoon with a number on and then you have to wait for your hot drinks, but the hot drinks were backed up due to a confusion over a flat white, and somehow our jacket potatoes ended up being ready before my large Americano, and then my coffee was finally ready, and the man carrying our food asked me where we wanted to sit, at which point the five year old I live with announced she wanted to choose the table, so she led the potato conga through the packed dining room until she spotted a dog lying in her way and stopped short because she’s scared of dogs, causing the potato conga to come grinding to a halt. I wasn’t having fun. I shoved her past the dog, claimed a free table and sat down. The man put our potatoes in front of us and I thanked him for his patience.

“GET THAT OFF MY PLATE DADDY, I DON’T WANT SALAD AND THAT OTHER STUFF ON MY PLATE, GET RID OF IT, I DON’T LIKE IT.”

Ah, the familiar refrain. I scraped the unwanted salad and coleslaw from a National Trust jacket potato onto my plate for the first time in almost two years. It felt good.

After lunch we went round the gardens some more, the five year old I live with hid in lots of bushes, I found her, we went over the bridge over the waterfall, up to the cricket pitch and back round past the Giant Redwoods. They’re my favourite thing about Sheffield Park, they’re blooming massive, and their huge trunks are covered in soft spongey bark that’s fun to prod. It’s nice to prod a massive tree.

We bought some expensive biscuits from the shop and ate them on the drive back to Lewes, where we stopped off at the big Tesco to get some nice oranges. The five year old I lived with had complained that the oranges I sent in her snack bag to school last week weren’t very nice, so we got some Finest* ones, which I hoped would be up to snuff.

I got some fish for tea as well, some cod fillets that I served up with artichokes and peas and chive mash when the person I live with got back from work that evening. It was an unexpectedly fancy tea, always a nice surprise.

Didn’t go to Waitrose.

Day 17

I’ve been reading a rude book, I forgot to tell you. When we joined the library the other day before the Glow Disco, I went looking at what they had in and discovered a book called Paul takes the form of a mortal girl by Andrea Lawlor, which I had coincidentally been reading about on the internet earlier in the day. I took it as a sign and borrowed it. Its rudeness stems mainly from the large amount of sex that happens, and it is also a very readable and good book. It’s one of those books that you want to start reading again as soon as you wake up, so when the five year old I live with came and woke us up at 7am I got up with her and made us some breakfast and we sat on the sofa together, one of us ensconced in Netflix, and the other ensconced in a rude book.

It’s nice to have a book to devour, I haven’t found much fiction I’ve wanted to read for a while. Over the last year or so I’ve read a lot of Ursula Le Guin, but since finishing the Earthsea novels I’ve been stuck waiting for something to turn up and grab me. Maybe I’ll ask at the library if they have any more rude books I can read. Might have to work on the wording of the question though.

I was very organised this morning actually and decided that it would be good to have pizza for lunch, so I chucked some dough together in the mixer. I got a Kenwood mixer for Christmas, it’s rose gold and makes breadmaking a piece of piss, I love it. I make most of the bread we eat these days. I’ve stopped measuring ingredients, that’s how advanced I’ve got. My white loaf is pretty reliable, still working on my wholemeal, I’ll get there.

While the pizza dough was proving, I stuck a tin of tomatoes in a pan with some sugar and salt to reduce for the pizza sauce. Then I read my book some more.

The person I live with got up and we played a game of Happy Families, except it’s not Happy Families it’s called Sapiens, but it’s basically Happy Families. Whatever it’s called, I’m not great at it. The person I live with is delighted, as she has apparently been searching for years to find a game I am not great at and is very pleased to have found one. She and the five year old I live with beat me comprehensively and taunted me about it.

After that it was lunchtime, so I made pizza. Since moving house my pizza has improved immeasurably, simply because the oven in our new house goes hotter than the one in the old flat. It still doesn’t go hot enough to make amazing pizza, but it gets up to 250C, which makes for a passable pizza. I made two pizzas, both margherita, with some crappy block mozzarella I had stashed in the fridge. It keeps for ages, it’s useful to have in just in case you fancy a pizza on a Sunday lunchtime.

After lunch it became clear it was a nice day, so we wandered out for a walk. I lured the five year old out with the promise of a Freddo at some point. We did the same walk that I detailed on Day 11, over to Kingston and back.

When we got back I used the leftover tomato sauce from the pizza as a pasta sauce for the five year old I live with’s tea. Pizza and pasta on the same day is probably a bit samey, but she didn’t complain. Who would?

Later on I roasted a chicken and some potatoes for the person I live with and I to have for tea. I can’t imagine ever getting bored of roasting chickens, it’s the most rewarding use of an hour and a bit I can think of.

After tea we went to bed and I almost finished my book. I’ve got about 20 pages left, I want to make sure I read them properly, give them the attention they deserve. It’s always strange, that moment when you’re about to finish a book, I often start to worry that something’s going to interrupt me and ruin my enjoyment of the ending. It never does though.

Didn’t go to Waitrose.