Harry's Diary

EXCERPT: Harry wants us to “focus us on a more equitable system of food production. I don’t know if people noticed the fresh fruit supplies in Aldi have been running low for weeks. Food is already starting to go up in price.”

EXCERPT: Two or three weeks ago, I was prepared to roll up my sleeves, clench my teeth and deal with whatever the virus was going to throw at the fire brigade, but that hasn’t transpired into anything like I thought it would. I was ready, but I’m beginning to let myself relax and in doing so I’m getting to know the man in the mirror.

EXCERPT: Had a fire-call last night... Back at the station, the Station Officer gave me a pitiful look as he filled in the paperwork. The two other newbies looked at me and turned away whispering. Someone had tied four feet of warning tape to the back of my tunic!

EXTRACT: Town was so busy it felt like being locked down at Cheltenham… Barely anyone around here believes the official version of events and I’m noticing a cultural divide: You can tell who people identify with by their Covid beliefs.

EXCERPT: I’m delighted I didn’t invest in a pension - kiss goodbye to that x. I didn’t think I had any friends till this all started. Now I can’t get off the phone!

EXCERPT: I might have hit the wall. I see it coming nowadays though. I ought to, I'm old enough. I usually get one day a week when I feel like that:

EXCERPT: I have a son closing in on his teenage years, nothing unusual about that - I’m just another single parent renting in the 2020’s. As thousands could testify, it is not the most comfortable place to be. And then comes the threat of Covid: Am I supposed to quiver? A quick death in a hospital bed is better than a decade on the streets. 

EXCERPT: “Stay back,” I said, feeling uncomfortable that in Covid days kindness includes talking to people like they are a dog. “I haven’t got it, I’ve had the cure.” “Bull - no one has a cure.” “I’m telling you I do.”