“Well, that’s what it feels like.”
“All we’re saying is for you to use up a couple of weeks of your holidays… to relax. That’s all. You haven’t used a single day since you started. It’s too much. It’s not good for you. Everyone needs a break once in a while. Recharge the batteries. Maybe take Nicky somewhere. You’re no good to me all worked up and stressed. I need you to be on top of your game. And after two weeks, you’ll feel like a new man. I’m sure of it. And then you can put all this behind you.”
Richard sighed. “I’d be less stressed if I could finish the website.”
“Look, I appreciate your concern, but David’s more than capable of finishing the website. So there’s no need to fret.”
“Jesus Christ, David? How is he meant to finish up? He doesn’t know what he’s doing. At least let me come down so I can bring him up to speed.”
“Absolutely out of the question. You need to calm down. And stop working yourself up so much. This is exactly why you need to take some time off. You’re gonna give yourself a heart attack if you’re not careful.”
“I am calm, Leah. I just need to—”
“Goodbye, Richard. I’ll speak to you in a fortnight.”
“What if I just talk to David over the phone?”
“Goodbye, Richard.”
The phone went dead. “Leah?” Richard threw the phone down on the couch in anger. “Bitch.”
He stormed into the kitchen, opened the fridge, and stared at its contents. Food, he thought. Need something to eat. Anything. He grabbed a packet of bacon and a pot of margarine, and placed them on the counter. Opening the small cupboard behind him, he reached in and pulled out two slices of white bread. Can’t beat a bacon sandwich. He popped the bread into the toaster, put the bacon into the microwave, and waited. David. What the hell does he know? Jack-shit, that’s what. I bet he’s gunning for my job. I bet he’s been having cozy little meetings with Leah. Behind my back. Jesus Christ—I bet he’s been sleeping with her. Richard chuckled as the microwave pinged. Well, who the hell cares! Not me. Let him try to take my job. See how he copes with the pressure. Doesn’t bother me one bit. I’m the one at home, chilling for two weeks, while they’re stuck in work all day, slaving in front of a computer screen.
Who’s laughing now?
He returned to the living room couch with his toasted sandwich and a cup of coffee. The news had finished, and in its place was a cookery show. He despised cooking, especially cookery shows, which was why he lived on microwave dinners, takeaways, and Nicky’s amazing home cooking. Despite his poor diet and lack of exercise due to his workload, Richard was a slim man. He had been as a child. No matter how much he ate, he maintained a lean physique—much to his wife’s annoyance. Although slender herself, Nicky always stressed about her weight, signing up for expensive weight-loss plans and purchasing countless workout DVDs. She even joined a gym when they first moved back to Bristol—which she failed to actually use. He wanted to be supportive by going with her, but finding the time was always one task too many.
He checked his phone: 9:01 a.m. The office’ll be about full now, he thought. Probably all running ’round like headless chickens trying to get the new website up and running. Probably all in a panic.