Hotting Up

I was up early for the train into the office. The platform was busy, but the trains were bearable. It was already warm and close, and by the time I stepped out at Shepherd’s Bush, the heat was full-on. The forecast had said it would peak around 28 °C, and the humidity made it feel even warmer: definite no-coat day.

I queued for my usual soya latte but questioned the wisdom of ordering a hot drink in that kind of weather. Still, it’s a habit I can’t break. The final stretch on foot to the office was just about manageable. Once inside, I headed straight to the canteen for the usual two slices of toast with marmalade.

My first meeting was in one of those phone-booth pods before I realised a proper room had been booked, and there was already a group inside. Nice to see more people. I didn’t have anything to contribute.

On the way home, the train to Clapham was rammed, and a line fault delayed the connection to Raynes Park. Between the crush of commuters and the sticky heat, my cough flared up again. By the time I got in, I was relieved to change into shorts and rest properly.

For dinner, we reheated the roast chicken, then we settled down to watch the remaining episodes of Murderbot. Alexander Skarsgård’s deadpan voice work brings so much warmth to the robot, and I love how the use of sarcasm. Somewhere there’s heart too.  I found myself completely hooked—something is amusing about a hero who wants to watch cheesy soap operas in peace. I’m already looking forward to the new episodes later this week.