anneiskeepingbusy

December 24th

“2022 – a back-breaking year,” says Mary.

“Yeh, except for Boris tanking, the Women’s Euros and personalised cancer drugs,” says Joe.

“So, roll on 2023.”

December 23rd

Rosie is fuming. Mock exams start on January 3^rd.

“That’s Christmas ruined.”

But she reads about girls in Afghanistan. Mocks are not so bad.

December 22nd

Poppy is confident of getting her Christmas list. Mum is less sure. What with the bills and no post, Santa is looking decidedly dicey.

December 21st

“Don’t take risks,” the Minister says. Terry, now into hour ten waiting for an ambulance, thinks, but I was only coming down the stairs.

December 20th

Monika jams onto the train. After four cancellations, she opens a miniature gin, plugs in her headphones, and prepares to stand for two hours.  

December 19th

Molly is quite pleased with her sign for the picket. “National Hell Service.” It’s her first strike but she thinks she has a knack.

December 18th

Geena and Miles put up the Christmas tree watching the World Cup final. They hope neither team win. It’s been a strange old year.

December 17th

Carol has never cared for ballet, preferring words and eating, but she takes the little girls to The Nutcracker. They pirouette their way home.

December 16th

Amir watches the news. From Kharkiv to Hackney, everyone is freezing. It’s 2022, ffs. We were promised jet packs; now there’s not even heating.

December 15th

In this weather, they stay at home, eating M&S stollen. Later, they ask “Alexa” to play Al Bowlly and sing along to Goodnight, Sweetheart.