Posted by Jenny
A few weekends ago I
managed to take off a few hours of mummy sanity time among the shops. It was
Saturday morning and the whole week I had prepared my husband that I was going
shopping on my own and I meant the kind of shopping that didn’t involve groceries or
children’s clothes.
When the day finally arrived I planned for an
early morning start and was all packed and ready at 8.30am. Now, the best way
in our house, for me specifically, to make an escape is by telling the kids
that mummy has to go to work. Anywhere else usually means that they can come
too. So that Saturday morning, mummy had to go to work for a few hours….. after
planting a kiss on three little heads and a jolly wave at the husband, I
quickly made my gettaway out the front door and although feeling somewhat
guilty, but not for very long, I got into the car and drove off.
At
this point the built up anticipation had me giddy to such a degree that I was
singing makey-uppy songs behind the wheel. For a person who considers shopping
one of the finest past-times available to female kind, I rarely take the time
to go. The recession has little to do with this, as the activity “going shopping”
in my head doesn’t actually mean that I go out and buy stuff. It means that I
go out and pretend that I’m going to buy
stuff. It involves extensive perusal of shop widows before continuing to browse
inside. I might buy something, I might not. Absolutely vital to making the
shopping experience a successful one is taking the time to have a latte and a
scone. Hence the early hour... Of course shops would still be closed, but I
came prepared with my kindle in my handbag.
Once arrived, I savoured the moment of entering
the shopping centre. That gentle blast of warm air when I walk through the
double doors act like a herald welcoming me to the land of milk and honey.
Instantly the scents change from cold air and car fumes to a mixture of warm
air, cleaned floors and coffee. A few other women arrived around the same time
as I did, walking with a similar looking purpose in their stride. I imagined
them also having made a highly anticipated escape that day.
Anyway, after I ordered a medium latte and
picked out a fat scone with raisins sticking out (raspberry jam!) I picked a
seat with a view, so I could keep an eye on the shutters of Debenhams. A coffee
break was important, but I did need to keep my eye on the time.
Then…when I sat down.... that moment had finally arrived…. I eased back into the seat,
stretched out my legs and slowly released a deep breath. Hmmmm. Shopping is
fun, but it’s this moment I enjoyed the most. Sitting down… on my own…. few
people around…. music in the background… enjoying my scone, sipping my latte and reading
a novel. Aaahhhh… Stress is for Monday.
Before hitting the shops, I read the last
few pages of “Angel Interrupted” by Chaz McGee, a pseudo name used by Katy
Munger. It’s the second book in the series: dead detective helps living
detective solve murder cases. The living detective isn’t aware that she’s
receiving help. More accurately, she sort of wonders at some level is she’s
receiving help, but she hasn’t gotten it confirmed. Book three isn’t out yet,
but I probably will read it when it’s published.
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