Gifts

I've finished completing 130 exam practice questions. My head is spinning and my lips are dry. An empty glass sits at my elbow, and I realise that I've only had one glass of water since breakfast.

Checking the clock, I realise it is close to lunch time now, so I fling some stuff in a pot and turn on the stove. I also fling some laundry into the machine.

The house feels bigger than usual - MDH is on night duty at Faraway County Hospital so he is staying there for the week. It is a good plan, because it means that we will both spend our free time studying instead of snuggling. But I am missing him. It has been three days since I've heard his voice.

My eyes hurt from reading too much small print. As I wait for my food to cook, I lay back on the sofa and shut my eyes, listening to the slosh and hum of the washing machine.

Then suddenly, MDH is here. He comes home bearing gifts - a bag of Basset's jelly babies in an assortment of sugary flavours, a dozen blueberry muffins, a box of Lindt chocolate truffles and a warm hug.

He's asleep now and I'm in the living room, getting ready to tackle another set of exam revision questions.

I may return the last gift he gave me, later.