Lost in Space – Sandra 24

 

[For back story go here: Story so far at 17 Sept 2020 and especially this one.]

Frankie's house had been knocked through. In fact everything in the downstairs area had been knocked through. It was as if the family had bought the house, walked in and just taken a massive aversion to the walls. Sandra remembered the trauma this had delivered at the time. Husband Rob had bought in several different architects and ripped through half a dozen builders before he found the unique combination of both who said, yep, we can take out all the walls, and it’ll give you with one space to encompass entry hall, living room, dining room, play room and kitchen to one side. And the house won’t fall down. We think. Although this was really only possible because the house was terraced and so supported on both sides. Try it with a semi-detached, it was argued, and the semi description would soon be invalid.

And so there was a laid back area near the fireplace, an eating area near the a stainless steel kitchen and rugs and toys scattered liberally across the massive floor space. It was a space to be proud of, and a space to treasure, a space to entertain and a space to boost about. The space was so right for the family that Frankie had ended up having her own workspace studio built in a shed at the bottom of the garden.

The space, Frankie never tired of saying, was ideal for everything (apart from her work) and especially for childcare since you could sit in one area – any part of the room you liked – and watch the kids from there. You could even be preparing a meal and still be able to see them. You wouldn't see them if they went up the stairs but since the stairway came down into the middle of the space you'd have a great idea where they'd gone to.

And so this was where Sandra would be looking after the two kids. Except there were one or two catches. Or possibly three. 

First, the room would not just host Sandra and the kids this morning. Jackie, an old age pensioner who lived next door was taking refuge in Frankie's house today. She came round to have a cup of tea and a chat on a regular basis and today was one of those regular times. Frankie had assured Sandra this wouldn't be a problem – Jackie just liked to watch the kids play and so she'd sit in the armchair, mask on, grin behind it, moving occasionally to sip her tea.

Second, Frankie needed Sandra today because she had some clients coming in wanting to view Frankie's initial designs for some interior furnishing covers for their home. This was what the outdoor studio was for, however as Frankie pointed out they would have to come through the house to get to the back garden.

Third, Frankie had become a stickler for following the rules. Having accidentally sat outside with more than the stipulated number of fellow mums, sipping Prosecco, she had narrowly avoided a fine, mainly because she managed to pack away her picnic things faster than anyone else and slope off behind the nearest tree. She wasn't going to risk this again and friendly as Jackie was she didn't trust her not to tell.

And so when Mr and Mrs Holroyd, the next clients that day, knocked at the front door Frankie panicked at the headcount and ordered Sandra to go into the garden while she escorted the couple through the house into the garden and into the studio. Sandra could then return to the space and continue her childminding duties.

So far so bizarre. Things settled down again and the kids played happily with Sandra under Jackie's appreciative gaze until, about half an hour later, there was another knock at the door. Slightly worried, Sandra answered the door to find another couple of Frankie's clients on the doorstep, apologetic for their early arrival.

Explaining the situation to them Sandra ushered them in and stationed them over by the patio doors so they could swap around with the out-going clients as soon as they were finished. Sure enough the other two came out of the studio with Frankie, in animated conversation. There followed a sort of careful game of human abacus shifting, to ensure that at any particular time there was never more than six people together in either the inside space or the garden. 

And so the morning progressed. Each new visitor created a new possibility of combinations with the situation occasionally further complicated by one of both of the kids requiring to stay very close to Sandra while the strange people came though their house. At least once Sandra had to stand on the stairs while every one circulated (better than the broom cupboard she thought).

By one o'clock Sandra was in bits and didn't know if she was coming, going, playing hide and seek or hiding for real. 

"Thanks so much," said Frankie as the last clients left. "Couldn't have done it without you. Are you free next week?"

Sandra's mind went blank.