Seasons of the Heart

Summer

Summer

Rain again. "Where have the long golden days of summer gone?" Sally said to herself. Another damp morning dressing for work, whilst getting ready to go to a job she hated. Indoors from eight until five o'clock, she hardly saw any of the great British summer; all but for the half an hour, it took her to walk to work and then the same home again. It meant she got in about five thirty unless something held her up, like shopping for her single microwavable meals.

Sally hated getting soaked before she had even started her working day. If she was lucky she thought, perhaps the journey home will be different; at least that was a plus, the British changeable weather! Grey days made her feel so low so a bit of sunshine would be welcome to lift her spirits.

Sally hoped there was more of summer to come, as she hadn't had her holiday yet. Not that she was going anywhere. No one to go with and she hated the thought of going to a strange place alone. She'd make do with time to read, relax, and visit the odd place here and there. In her mind she had planned on picnics and walks on the Yorkshire moors with a local ramblers club she was a member of. Her only bit of indulgence was walking and at least that was mostly free. She was as fit as any of the other members whose ages ranged from her twenty-four years to Mr Bloom who was topping eighty this year! Talk about a late flowery, she chuckled to herself at the pun on his name. He was a sweet old guy, ever ready with his hand to help and quick wit. Most of the others in their group were couples in their mid forties to fifties, but Sally didn't mind, she hadn't joined the group to find a husband, and she certainly didn't want anyone else's! She loved the walks and the freedom from her mundane monotony at work.

Work... Her day of work was in a large warehouse, which had no windows, anywhere. The air conditioning left her cold and in the winter, it was worse. The heating was useless, but she needed the work so she had to grin and bear it and get used to being in a cold environment. It made her bones ache but what was she to do in these uncertain times?

The canteen was no better; it was no more than a square box in the car park for the half hour lunch break they were given. To make matters worse no one was allowed to sit outside because of health and safety; even the smokers had their own box so they did not pollute the air of the rest of their colleagues.

In the warehouse it was all artificial lighting that buzzed consistently out of tune with each other and the constant noise from the antiquated tannoy system asking for Mr this and that to something or the other. Everywhere she went whilst working; these flickering, annoying lights, and undecipherable static noise accompanied her.

Sally's job was boring and repetitive and her mind often wandered searching for a reason to pack it all in and do something else. She had debts to pay off from University still and Sally had been bought up to pay her way. Then there was her rent and bills, at the end of it there was only enough left to pay for her poor diet of frozen ready meals. I may as well go and live on the Moon she said to herself with a feeling of resignation. A grey lump of rock with nothing on it, nothing to do, but at least she would get to see the sun. "Stop being so silly!" Sally berated herself, loudly. She had a habit of shouting at herself, aloud. It was a wonder she hadn't been locked away for talking to herself.

Eight hours later, her working day done, Sally clocked off and stepped outside shielding her eyes, it was sunny! The warm air, scented with car exhaust fumes, hit her taking her breath away. It was really quite hot! She couldn't help but smile at everyone as she said goodbye to her fellow workmates. What a nice surprise, glorious sunshine, blue sky, and hardly a breeze to talk of. The sky was so clear, no rain clouds on the horizon to spoil this wonderful moment. Sally stuffed her coat and thick jumper into her backpack. She felt like jumping up and down in joy. Her heart was free and singing loudly.