Page 25 of The Bad Mother's Diary

I’ll do this marathon. I will. I WILL!

Monday February 23rd

5pm

Back in Great Oakley after a HUGE row with Nick.

I am SO angry!

Asked him to look after Daisy while Iwent to the supermarket. (When I take her along, I get too distracted. I forget essentials like milk and wet wipes, and buy random things like mint-flavour Magnums.)

When I got home, Nick had drunk eight bottles of original Guinness.

EIGHT BOTTLES!

I went mental.

He said he had a high tolerance for alcohol. Then he said, ‘Look. I’ll walk in a straight line and prove it to you.’

He walked in a line and fell over.

As I was screaming at him, Helen walked in.

She saw Nick on the floor and said, ‘Do sit up straight, darling.’

I shouted at Nick for being drunk in charge of a baby.

Helen said, ‘All men drink, Juliette. It’s part of the male condition.’

I said, ‘When I need relationship advice from a divorcee, I’ll let you know.’

Helen muttered about Nick needing to relax from time to time.

I screamed at her. Then I screamed at Nick. Then I said I was leaving to think about my options.

I packed a bag, grabbed Daisy and stormed off to Mum and Dad’s.

9pm

Nick just phoned in drunken tearsbegging for forgiveness.

‘I need you, Julesy, I need my little girl. I’m lost without you.’

But I’m not going to start feeling sorry for him. He needs to shape up. It’s bad enough all these hangovers. But to be drinking when he’s actually looking after her …

Tuesday February 24th

Felt so upset today that I nearly didn’t run. But Laura got all strict and took the evening train to Great Oakley so we could exercise together.

Great Oakleyisa nice place to run. Lots of trees and stuff. But it’s also very dark at night and full of unexpected puddles.

Laura and I went jogging in the woods by the train track.

It was pitch black.

I felt like a big, lumbering cow puffing behind a lovely, shiny-haired racing horse.

Last night, I completely lost Laura in the dark.

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