Lockdown Week 5 (Wed)

WEDNESDAY

The mood in the house is a bit sombre today. We have good days and bad days, like everyone else. It’s hard staying positive when there’s no end in sight. 

When lockdown started most of us were thinking in weeks. Somewhere along the line this changed to months. Now there’s talk of some level of social distancing for the rest of the year - and beyond. With conflicting information from scientists and politicians, there’s an overwhelming lack of clarity all round. Most of it’s just noise.

The 15-year-old is being a star this week, taking Satchmo out for long walks every afternoon. The eight-year-old keeps trying to tag along, but she refuses, saying he walks too slowly. She’s hardly one to talk.

Today I take her aside and ask if she wouldn’t mind just this once, as he’s feeling a bit left out. It’s hard being the youngest, particularly when he’s the only boy. He still likes running around with sticks and digging up worms. 

She gives me a ‘my problem, how?’ look, but sighs and gives in. He’s thrilled and grabs his scooter covered in Bart Simpson stickers; I hear him chattering away to her non-stop as they head off down the street.