Tentative Steps With The Lockdown
So there I am in my old pyjama leg ‘mask’. I look like a fucking Ninja Turtle. She opens the door and I take my first tentative step outside. But that graphic showed that the virus hangs in the air. I want to turn back but she won’t let me.
The road is long (to the garage) and so is the list.
‘I must have Worcester Sauce: ‘ ‘I must have Baby Wipes non fragranced’.
I tentatively tiptoe out the backyard, tentatively opening the gate, tentatively turning left, peering round onto the street. Is there anyone around? No, oh off I go.
I suppose the ‘hunter gatherers’ would stride out manfully to go and get food. I am like a squirrel crossing the main road.
Then the country path. I cannot even stop and give Willow a pat so desperate I am to get thing done.
The lights of the garage. Do I check the balance? No. Don’t take the risk.
There’s a security woman on the door. We have to queue two metres. But some don’t respect it and I’m so far back others jump in.
I tentatively enter. Where is the basket? Down at the counter. But the arrows point I should go the other way. I follow the arrows all the way round to get the basket. Then I start again. By this time I feel so nervous I abandon the list and just start throwing items from the shelves in as I pass.
Did that woman just cough? He looks as though he could have it.
Must get the milk and bread. But the aisle is narrow. Am I two metres away from him? No way. I must just rush in.
Terror no chicken steaks. Will she eat tinned fish? She hates fish.
Oh thank God there are some Chocolate Buttons.
The counter. They put a barrier up so you only put through one item at time. So slow.
Now the dreaded paying with the card. No one has cleaned it since the last time. Remember not to touch your face on the way back. OK.
Forgetting not to touch my face under the pressure of it all I rush home as fast as I can.
‘Where is the…?’ You didn’t get the….?
They are taking tentative steps in Italy, Spain to ease the lockdown. I do so want to walk with ease again.
Nominated by Miles Plastic




