“Oh no!” cried Sally as she stared at her television. The “Breaking News” bulletin from the Prime Minister was severe.
“STAY INDOORS.”
She had been following the progress of the invisible enemy, a previously unknown virus that was currently sweeping the country, but she had not expected to be in lockdown. She could feel the panic starting to rise in her chest.
“YOU MUST STAY INDOORS FOR AT LEAST THREE WEEKS, EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY, THIS WILL BE REVIEWED AT THE END OF THAT PERIOD.”
Sally went to check her food stocks. At least her freezer was full and she had quite a few canned goods. She would be able to survive.
She returned to the sofa and hugged a cushion to her chest to try to calm her nerves. Sally was no stranger to staying at home. She had taken six months off work after Mike left. Then her tiny house was her fortress, keeping her safe from everyone. It had taken her three months of counselling to be able to set foot outside her own front door. She had left her previous job where they all knew her circumstances, as she could not cope with all their commiserations. It didn’t help that Mike was going out with someone from the Finance Department on the next floor.
She had moved on, or so she thought, but now this! All her fears came flooding back, She was finding it hard to be positive. Her home that had once felt so safe was already starting to feel like a jail. Sally knew that she needed a lifeline to the outside world, but who could she contact?
She had made so few new friends in her current job, most of her old acquaintances had all sided with Mike, so contacting them was out of the question. The only other e-mail address she had was for Karen, who she shared a lift with to and from work, she felt that she could trust her. She opened her computer up and stated typing furiously. All her fears were exposed to Karen, she just needed to get them out and share her thoughts. She felt relieved just typing them out. Karen replied back almost immediately.
I was just about to e-mail you. I’m setting up a zoom account so we can all still keep in touch. Do you want to be included in a daily coffee morning online, it sounds crazy but at least we can all still have a chat? Also, Peter from Accounts was asking if I had your telephone number or e-mail address, so is it okay for me to pass them over?
Sally felt overwhelmed. Just when she thought she wouldn’t be able to cope, this lifeline was being thrown to her. She began typing once more.
Please include me in everything, especially talking to Peter.
She hit the send button before she could change her mind.
Karen replied. I thought that might cheer you up.
