Week 2 – My appearance

A girl comes to the table with my order.
Hamburger, large fries and a coke.
Thank God.
It’s 1.30pm.
It’s Tuesday.
I have been waiting for this moment since I got up.
The last thing I ate was chips and cheese the night before when I staggered up the road.

I had woken up late.
Only fifteen minutes to get ready.

I got dressed.
Splashed face with water.
Put on lipstick.
Left flat.

As soon as I had left I realised I had not brushed my teeth.
Checked watch.
8:45am.
No time to go back as would miss bus.
I needed to run.

By the time I got to the bus stop I was hot.
The muscles in my legs hurt.
Sweat trickled down my forehead.
I was desperate for a drink of water.

Bus arrived.
Paid fare.
Sat down.
Thank God.

I got my breath back.
I wiped my forehead with a tissue I found in the bottom of my bag then rested my head against the bus window.
Checked time.
8:55am
I knew I was definitely going to be late.

The bus was really hot.
I started to feel dizzy and flushed.
I really needed a drink of water.

At my stop I was relieved when the cool Scottish air hit my face.
9:15am.
No point running now.
Already late.

Needed to think of a good excuse for being late.
Migraine?
Upset stomach?
Period pains?
Always good to use period pains especially as I have a male boss.
He will look awkward.
Tell me not worry.
I sit down and get on with my day.

However I needed to remember the last time I used that excuse.
Not that he would be counting my monthly cycle.
But using that excuse twice in two weeks would be too obvious.
Even he would start to question it.

No I’m safe not used that reason for a couple of months.

I caught my reflection in a shop window.
Was not looking too good.
I started to sort myself out using the window as a mirror.
Two shop assistants inside clocked this.
The two girls looked fabulous with their perfect make-up and well groomed hair.
They were laughing at me.
I was not in the mood for being part of their joke so I moved on.

9:25am.
Arrived at work.
Got in lift.
Pressed button.
Looked in mirror.
Not good.
My face was pale.
I had bags under my eyes.
I stuck out my tongue.
It was yellow and furry.
I needed to find chewing gum ASAP.
Didn’t want to be breathing my stale alcohol breath all over people.

I arrived at my desk.
Everyone was busy.
Made excuses – no questions asked.
Must remember not to use period pain story for a while. – that even means when I DO have my period!
I then got a can of Irn-bru from the machine and sat down at my computer.

I gave it fifteen minutes before I went to the toilet to sort myself out.
Well I couldn’t just go straight away since I had just arrived.

Mark from accounts passed.
“You look tired Scarlet. Are you ok?”
“I’m fine” I replied.

Susan from marketing passed.
“Are you ok? You look really pale.”
“I’m fine” I replied.

Sean from my team passed.
“Rough night Scarlet” and he winked.

Drastic action needed to be taken.

I went to the toilet.
They were right I did look rough.

I took out my make-up bag and applied foundation, mascara, eyeliner and lipstick.
I could smell smoke in my hair.
I sprayed perfume.

I could taste a horrible taste in my mouth from not having brushed my teeth.
I will need to buy a toothbrush at lunchtime – have important meeting this afternoon.
Lunch…
Realised had not eaten.
Could really go a Big Mac Meal.

Three slow hours passed.
During that time I dealt with phone calls, complaints and updated my Facebook account.
1.30pm.
At last I could eat.
I run to McDonalds…

The girl leaves my food on the table.
I eat the hamburger and chips quickly.
I am still hungry.
I order another hamburger and another coke.
I feel much better.
Return to work.

I go to my meeting.
I’m tired.
My mind wanders.
Am hungry again.
I do however manage to come up with some genius solutions to our current marketing problems.
No idea how I managed to do it – maybe because everyone else’s ideas were so crap.
My meeting finishes.
I can’t wait to get home.
It’s 6pm.

I walk to the bus stop.
I’m meant to be going to cinema with friends tonight.
Don’t have the energy.
So text friends to cancel.

I get off the bus a stop early.
The reason for this is I want to go to the chip shop.
I order a smoked sausage supper and a can of coke.

Back in flat.
I change into pyjamas.
Is a relief to get trousers off as the waist band has been digging into me.
They’re a size 10.
Think I’m probably actually a size 12.
I’m just in denial.

I feel comfy and relaxed in my pyjamas.
I grab my red blanket.
Curl up on the sofa.
Switch on the telly and eat my sausage and chips.

9pm.
I at last am able to brush my teeth.

9.30pm.
Sound asleep in bed.