371. Long distance calls (2)

'Well, you did learn La Cigale and la Fourmi ... did that not teach you anything after all?'

'What are you going on about?'

'Poems. But it's early for you, you must have just woken up so never mind.'

'No, it's night time here, mum. So I'm definitely awake.'

I cannot get my head round this time difference. I know there is a logic to this because my husband keeps explaining it to me. All I know is that when we're sleeping she's active and when we're active she's sleeping. Breakfast and dinner time are our slots for communication.

'Shouldn't you be actively looking for a job?'

My husband frowns at me. I shrug my shoulders. 

'You did say that you were getting a little bored of travelling and partying and were looking forward to full-time employment, didn't you?'

As I say this I move away from the phone camera angle and look at me husband with the see-I-told-you-so-look. My husband thinks I should just let things happen in their own time. Yet I am beside myself with worry in case she doesn't get a job quick, runs out of money and wants to come home. I did tell her to ask if she needed to come home and I would just get her a ticket. But a) the ticket is extremely expensive and b) I'm not ready to have her back home yet. I've started to steal comfy pyjamas and ankle socks from her. And the house is peaceful and quiet right now and I like it this way. I can think straight. I can cook in my own kitchen, food that I like and that doesn't get eaten by anyone else. When I want to use the washing machine or the drier it is not swirling madly. I have plenty of socks. 

'I had to get a second letter to them with the barcodes and stuff. But I got a voucher for a free pack of ice-cream! And you're not having any!'

Baby is happy to share the result of her letter of complaint. Then she goes on about the horrible teachers she has this year and how school is really boring and her philosophy teacher is a nutcase because he keeps going on about squirrels and their hazelnuts. I have heard the story so I move away from the conversation, so does my husband.

'I'll call her in tomorrow morning. See how she deals with that job offer.'

'Oh!' I say, trying to sound not totally thrilled and at the same time thinking I should be ashamed of myself for having such thoughts.

'She's got a job offer?'

'Not exactly. But she's been contacted by one of these headhunters agencies about a senior position ...'

'Sounds BRILLIANT!'

I try the bad-mum feeling and the keeping my excitement in check but fail.

'It's not an offer. It's something she's got to apply for. I've explained. But she's not so keen because it is in a remote area.'

'But she is in a remote area already!'

'That's what I said. And do not fret, I'll speak to her in the morning.'

I do not ask if it is our morning or her morning. I am just happy he is taking full responsibility or this. And asking me to just relax. That I can do. It is still warm to light a fire but warm enough to refresh myself with a drink. As Baby is still banging on about the education system I go and fix some drinks for us deserving parents who cannot even enjoy peace now that the kids are big! Maybe we should be the ones in the remote area?