‘Ooh I’d love a week off’ thought Katie as she hung her wet
coat on the back of her chair. It was months till she was due any leave. Not
having kids she always got last dibs at the holiday rota.
Fancy Spring Bank in the Lake District? 'Sorry Katie that’s half term and Gemma’s
off'. August in Brid? – not a chance, all the mums are away in August and as
for Christmas... Katie hadn’t had Christmas off in years. She got Christmas Day
of course but that was all. She was there till after six on Christmas Eve and in at
eight on Boxing Day because ‘Christmas is all about the kiddies so Katie won’t
mind.’ And she didn’t. Not really. She liked to keep busy.
Katie worked in the office of a large supermarket. She’d
been there since she left school. Perched high above the shop floor she was the
person that everyone went to when things went wrong. Her official title was
Communications Assistant but everyone called her the Bing Bong Girl. Managers
would rush by hissing instructions as they went ‘Quick Katie, call the cleaning
team. There’s a family sized Wash n’ Go spilt on aisle 5.’ ‘A freezer’s down
again’ Katie. ‘Tell customers the dessert section is closed.’ ‘Push the
specials Katie, they’re on BOGOFF’ and
Katie would sit in her glass fronted eyrie looking down at the customers and
colleagues – they didn’t call them staff any more - and press her communicator.
Bing Bong Bing Bong.
Katie calling. We have a special offer today on our own brand wholemeal pizza
bites. Mmmm, all that delicious pizza topping on a base that’s actually good
for you. Sandra is waiting in aisle 9 with samples to tickle your taste buds.
Katie was good at her job.
The run up to Christmas was always mayhem. And it got
earlier every year. Bottles of Baileys slipping from arthritic fingers and smashing
on the floor, small children lost and hysterical. Katie could never understand
why people brought their entire family. It was a supermarket not an attraction.
If she had kids she’d take them for a run round the park while Paul did the
shopping. But Katie wasn’t one to moan. Even when the hormone injections had made her feel like
murdering someone she’d kept on smiling. That was Katie. Always cheerful.
But by the end of the first Saturday in December even she
was exhausted. All she could think of on the way home was a hot bath and an
early night. She hoped Paul had got chips on his way back from the match but if
he hadn’t there was a tikka masala at the end of its sell by in her bag. He
could have that. All Katie wanted was hot bath and a mini magnum. And maybe a
foot rub if Paul's team had won.
She could smell cooking as soon as she opened the door.
‘Paul,’ she called. ‘Is that you?’
‘In here’ he shouted. ‘I’m in the kitchen.’
And there he was, stood at the counter wearing a paper hat
and adding chicken legs to plates piled high with sprouts and roasties and pigs
in blankets.
‘Merry Christmas Katie’ he grinned.
Her quiet, smiley
husband who lived for his rugby. Who’d held her head as she vomited every day
of the pregnancy that only lasted six weeks and her hand the day they were told
she was too old for another round of ivf.
‘It’s not Christmas for 3 weeks’ said Katie.
‘I know’ he said ‘It’s come early this year. Get your coat
off. I’ve something to tell you.’
The next morning Katie was first in. She wanted to catch her
manager before anyone else arrived. Jason would understand. He’d worked there
nearly as long as she had.
‘The thing is’ she told him. ‘It’s a week in Lanzarote
flying out on Christmas Eve, 5 star, all inclusive. That’s the prize and my
Paul won it. In the rugby club draw.’
‘I’m sorry Katie’ he said. ‘You know how I’m fixed. All the
mums have got that week off. The kids are off school and Christmas is all about
....’
‘....the kiddies. Yes, I know’ said Katie. ‘But is there
nothing you can do? I’ve been here over 20 years and I’ve never once asked for
time off in the holidays. Not once. Please Jason.’
‘No chance Katie. Head office agreed the rotas months ago.
You’d better get back to work. There’s 4x4 blocking the delivery bay needs a Bing
Bong.’
As she turned to
leave his office Jason called her back.
‘Oh, and don’t think of calling in sick Katie. You’ll be out
of a job if you do.’
‘And that was it.’ she told Paul that night. ‘Off you go
Katie. Just like that. As if all I was asking for was an early lunch.’
And this time it was
Katie who held Paul while he cried.
The next few weeks were as busy as ever. Katie and Paul
didn’t mention the holiday again. They were used to dealing with
disappointment. It was better to just get on with things. On Christmas Eve Katie was up before Paul was awake.
‘I’m off Paul’ she called out as she left the house. ‘Don’t
forget you’re picking me up. I’ll text when I’m ready to leave.’
By 2 ‘o’clock the store was heaving.
‘Just how many cans of lager did people think they’d drink
between now and Boxing Day morning’ wondered Katie as she straightened her
reindeer ears and switched on her microphone.
Bing Bong Bing Bong.
Katie calling. On behalf of the management I’d like to wish you all a very
merry Christmas. And to thank you all for being such wonderful customers we’d
like to offer you a FREE 10 minute trolley dash. Just fill ‘em up ladies and
gentlemen and head for the doors.
And with that Katie grabbed her coat and ran down the stairs
to find Paul waiting in the car with the suitcases she’d hidden in the boot
that morning.
‘Quick Paul’ she said. ‘Drive. Our plane leaves at 4.’
