Chapter 46 · Month 30 · Starting a Family

Telling Them

The question of who takes the leave

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            Algy
            designer
            15:18
          
The leave form's actually on the table, half filled — and my answer's already written in the box marked "who's off, September," because I billed it in pencil and expected you to argue. Two weeks unpaid, mates' rates at the print shop; tell me if that's the wrong call before I ink it.

            Penny
            teacher
            15:20
          
No. You don't gift me unpaid September off the back of a print shop, that's not a plan, that's a shrug. Phone your mum at eight and ask her straight: does she want us telling her in person, or will she take it over the phone without four moves and a sofa in between.

            Algy
            designer
            15:21
          
It's ringing. Mum — it's me, and Penny's here, so nothing dramatic. If we told you something in person — a good thing — would you want the train fare spent, or would the phone do?

            Penny
            teacher
            15:23
          
Susan's answer comes out in a rush — "the phone'll do if there's a good thing in it, but I'm not being told a good thing at eight and then sitting on it alone." So: Sunday, her kitchen, train booked, and you phrase it before you book anything.

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What the audience made of it

Algy 0 Penelope 0 Both 0 0 votes

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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