Chapter 145 · Month 55 · Starting a Family

The Bad Day

The question of who takes the leave

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            Algy
            designer
            14:31
          
The leave question's sat on the table between the teabags and your list — twelve weeks, September, both our names. I signed it weeks ago and never once asked who actually takes it. Do you want it to be you?

            Penny
            teacher
            14:32
          
Honestly? I want it to be you, and saying that out loud feels like admitting something. If I'm home, I'm the one on the form and the one off work, and the childminder line was mostly mine to fix anyway.

            Algy
            designer
            14:33
          
That's not a confession, that's just the truth at eight in the evening. Today was worse than my text said — I got the difference wrong on a quote at half ten and sat in the car park for twenty minutes after. The test's still behind the toothpaste and I bought bin bags to hide it.

            Penny
            teacher
            14:34
          
Leave's yours then, twelve weeks from September, and I'll write it on the form Saturday. Bin bags and a test in one basket — you were showing off, and I'd like some of that tea.

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The next chapter opens with these numbers on the table. The character with fewer votes is expected to demand a recount.

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