Why no blog, I hear you all ask (OK, 2 of you asked, and thank you). Because this week, after my wife jetted off to Calgary, I am a single, working mother. Frankly, it's not working for me. Having spent the best part of my adult life secretly believing that I did most of the work around here, I find myself drowning in a fraction of what Hanan manages to do. This includes almost anything to do with interacting with other people. So I have no idea what to do with our office interns. Luckily, Hanan has left them enough work to see them through to retirement, and they are diligent enough to get on with it, so I can go back to the school run - a big highlight for me, which starts with me standing, talking to myself on the street while I try to remember where I parked the car. Then, teeth gritted, I duel with other mothers for a parking spot and then realise I have forgotten to bring the kids their snacks. 'Mama never forgets our snacks,' the little one tells me. I buy him something with chocolate in it so he can't say anything else. Then home and a call from Hanan, up early to tap maple syrup from trees or whatever else she could possibly be doing in Canada at the Banff TV market.
'Good news, the broadcaster loves it. Needs a script'
'OK, I'll work on it this summer.'
'No they need it now. I told her you were putting the finishing touches on it.'
Resistant silence from Shamim.
'What, are you busy this week? Oh, and you need to apply for citizenship.'
So that's why I haven't blogged. I have been writing a TV script and becoming Canadian. I don't think Hanan and Aida are having meetings at all. I think they're out hunting moose. Or eating pancakes.