Switch off Switch on – Daniel 45

 

For back story go here: Story so far, and definitely this one.]

[Relevant back story links also within text.] 

Daniel didn’t like making enemies. He realised that life wasn’t always straight-forward enough that he could just set that as his goal and stick to it – there were undoubtedly times when it wasn’t possible to be loved by everyone all the time, but nevertheless as a general life experience it was better and less tiring to be nice rather than trying to keep track of who had said what about whom and why.

Which was why Gordon’s interactions were becoming so annoying. The man wouldn’t let up, and most irritatingly he would deliver what appeared to be a friendly enough text and then suddenly twist the knife with what Daniel assumed he thought was a pithy follow up but was actually just nasty.

– Getting an order from the shops today. One text began. – Do you want anything?

And then before Daniel could even engage he’d already added: – Actually forget it you’ve got everything already, right?

Daniel wasn’t certain how to respond to this. Indeed, should even try responding? Could he just block Gordon and leave it at that? On the one hand his life might be considerably more laid back and predictable, on the other hand what if there were a real emergency and he was the only point of contact? He couldn’t imagine Gordon having another more capable or willing person on hand who he hadn’t already annoyed the hell out of. But then even if it were an emergency what did Daniel think he could do to help?

He sent back a witty reply, trying to diffuse any animosity. His text was along the lines of having binge-watched Supermarket Sweep with Daisy he really didn’t want to set foot in a supermarket ever again. Having sent the text he reflected that he didn’t think he’d be able to walk into any shop now without expecting someone to challenge him with a load of general knowledge/trivia questions before urging him to run around and find a particular sign on a particular item. The world had changed for sure, but for Daniel it was all getting a bit too weird.

It was also half-term holiday, which meant there was no home-schooling at the moment and while that was good in some ways, it also meant there was even less structure to the days. That plus some atrocious weather added to house-bound feelings and Daniel was at least feeling positive that maybe, maybe, the schools would go back in early March and he’d get some time alone with his own head.

But for now, he didn't even have that.

– What you doing now? Texted Gordon. – Something fulfilling I bet.

Daniel scowled. He wouldn't even let on that he received it. Even if Gordon's damned phone undermined him and told him he had.

Yes, fulfilling, thought Daniel, diverting Daisy from the next episode of Sweep and instead showing her how her sleep friend toys could also go supermarket shopping in a made up supermarket in the kitchen.

"Utensils! Five pounds ninety-nine pence!' He called, playing shopkeeper. 

“You-whats?" Asked Daisy, giggling.

"Utensils. These things," he explained waving a few around.

"That's a spoon. A big spoon," said Daisy. "And a bunch of other stuff."

'Well, they can also be called utensils," said Daniel, wondering why the hell he'd introduced something that felt like home-schooling on a holiday.

Daisy looked suspicious. "I don't believe you and I don't believe anyone would pay that for them. I think they'd be worth thirty-four pee."

"They're worth more than that," asserted Daniel, "and you cook with them."

"I need Rylan to show me," said Daisy and went back to the TV.

Yes, thought Daniel. This is fulfilling.

That evening, with Daisy asleep and ignoring the latest update from Gordon which suggested he would now be dining on the finest take-out food and wine on offer through Deliveroo - "Except you'll have the posh version" – he stumbled across a text from Sandra.

– You busy? It read.

It had turned up sometime during the day but he hadn’t seen it come in. Realising he hadn’t heard from her for a while he texted back his apologies and told her the saga of Daisy, Supermarket Sweep and Gordon.

She didn’t immediately reply and he guessed she’d gone to bed. But then, just when he thought he’d call it a day she texted him back. She told him she was back at home, eating back into work and currently watching a certain programme on Netflix.

– I think I might join you, Texted Daniel.

A few texts and TV searches later and the two watched the same programme, texting comments to each other on what they were watching and on life in general. They enjoyed each other’s company together… apart.