Chapter Three
School, Work, Home

The house is in chaos. I think we are more in danger inside than out! Dad’s office has moved to the study room which means that I can’t work there because he needs quiet to have phone meetings and write reports. It’s not like the sound of my pencil on paper is going to be much of a racket, but everyone is a little on edge. My schoolroom has been moved to the kitchen table. The teachers are emailing us work every day, but we still can’t see our friends. It’s like the worst of both worlds.

As I am on the kitchen table, Mum has had to move to the dressing table upstairs to do her work! Yesterday we had to clear all the perfumes, creams, jewellery and hair stuff into the bathroom cupboard to make space. Mum has also covered up the mirror because she says she finds it weird to look up between writing to see herself staring back.

Everyone says that children are the least at risk but I believe this whole thing has turned them into the biggest hazard. My brothers are no longer going to nursery where they usually spend the bulk of their energy, which means they are bouncing off the walls. I wouldn’t mind them dragging me out of my maths book to play, but I’m not sure the teacher will be happy if my homework isn’t in. My friend tried the same sort of excuse but the teacher replied, “I also have to manage a chaotic household, cook, clean and look after my children. If I can do all that as well as set and mark your work, you should have no problem submitting it.” It was the first time I really realised that teachers didn’t actually live at school.

I just found out yesterday that my dad’s colleague’s mum has caught the virus. The colleague is really worried because his mum has diabetes. She’s been taken to the hospital, which must mean it’s quite bad, because the doctors are mostly telling us not to come in except in emergencies. I know a couple of other people who have it but, for them, it’s just like a flu but a bit more miserable. They should be fine. I’m not sure about dad’s colleague’s mum though.