Homesick

Hey Honey.

Hi Mum.

Just wanted to let you know I am on my way home.

I’m in the taxi now so shouldn't be much longer.

Have you left the spare key for me?

Yes. under the far right flower pot.

Ok thank you. How are you and Dad doing?

Have you sorted flights back yet?

Not yet. The Hotel is closing tomorrow so we're going

to the embassy today to see what they can do about it.

The airlines have been bloody useless.

But I'll text you. Should only be a matter of time.

Ok.

Are you all sorted though?

Yeah Absolutely.

University have set some online lectures

and I've got some dissertation stuff to get on with so

I'll just be studying from home this week.

But they don't know how long this will go on for.

They've said three weeks but could be longer.

It'll all blow over eventually. Just keep yourself inside until

we get back. Save yourself collecting a fine or anything.

Yeah. Yeah will do.

Are you and Dad alright though?

I mean you haven't got any symptoms or anything?

No no. We've just been tested and we're fine.

It's why the consulate are in a rush to get people like us home.

Well, at least those safe enough to travel.

Right. No, that makes sense.

I just feel bad for the airline staff.

I mean, what a time to be in that industry.

It could be worse. I've been put under this furlough scheme.

Lucky me, but anyway.

If you need anything just let us know. Ok?

No that's fine. Um right. I'll talk to you later then.

Alright Honey. Stay safe. I love you. Take care.

Yeah alright. Love you. Bye.

Bye. Bye.

Cheers.

No signal. Yep. Haven't missed that.

Hello room.

Many people living in isolated areas will have to request

a visit from social workers who will provide remote testing

for those in the at risk category and are unable to visit a testing centre.

However, the home office warns that these won't be available for some time.

With the toll of the disease rapidly increasing to the level of

the influenza virus, the World Health Organisation is demanding world leaders

to take the threat more seriously and say more decisive action is needed.

Latest figures show that over three thousand new cases are being

reported daily with more than 700 deaths worldwide.

... and C major and G major.

...to illustrate the narrator's insanity.

Good morning. I'm here from the local authorities about the current situation.

I’ve got a Mr and Mrs Brookes registered here.

Um. No sorry. They're abroad at the moment.

I'm their son.

Oh I see travel issues.

Yeah. Something like that.

Well because they're in the most at risk group it's my job to come

to check on certain residents in isolated areas.

Okay.

So we're just making inquiries.

Yeah yeah.

Are you living here on your own?

Yeah yeah just me at the moment.

Ok well can I come inside? I've got a few bits here to help you with self isolating.

Sure of course. Come on in.

Can I get you a cup of tea or something?

I don't think that's the best thing to do given the current situation.

But don't worry won't be long.

Yeah yeah.

So how long have you been self isolating for?

About two weeks.

Ok and it's just you living here?

Just me.

Are you fully stocked for food?

Yeah. Yeah yeah. Should be- (coughs)

Sorry.

I've got a few delivery slots. Do you have any idea how long this will go for?

Your guess is as good as ours.

Look, are you suffering from any symptoms?

No no I don't think so.

Okay. Well I've got a test kit here actually so if you like we

can do a sample and just text you when the results are in.

Sure yeah.

I didn't notice a car in your driveway, so I take it you don't drive?

No.

Alright. Well if there is an emergency, foodwise or healthwise or anything

you can consult that leaflet for government support.

Oh great.

And I better take that swab.

Yes.

So we'll call round again when your parents are home.

If you can pass the information on to them.

And if you've got any concerns you can check the pamphlet

and there's a help number on there.

Brilliant. Okay.

Yeah? Alright okay. Bye.

Bye. Thanks. See you later.

RINGTONE - Beethoven's 5th Symphony.

Hello.

Hey. That was quick.

Yeah. Yeah I wasn't doing much.

How have you been?

How is lockdown treating you?

Yeah not bad. Um.

Parents still aren't home. Flight got cancelled so, held up

at the consulate with a bunch of other people trying to get home.

I'm sorry.

It could be worse. I mean.

They'll get home eventually. Apparently, the number of cases are lower down there.

Oh that's good. Bit of hope there.

Yeah. Bit of hope.

And how are you doing?

Fine.

Yeah fine. Um. Keeping busy.

Got plenty of work to do so uh...

What about you?

Um just back in Maida Vale again.

Oh. My sister, you know I said she was studying sports medicine.

Yeah.

She's been pulled into the NHS so none of us are allowed out really. High risk. You know.

Bless her though. I mean, the real heroes.

Yeah. She's the best.

I miss you.

I know.

I wasn't planning on calling but, given the time right now.

Shame we couldn't have figured this out before lockdown.

Yeah. Yeah.

No. It's fine though. I just want to make this work.

I mean when this is all over. Once we're back in uni

we can continue what we were doing and focus on us.

Yeah. Yeah that'd be great.

You don't sound so thrilled. What's up?

Nothing.

Nothing. I just um-

I don't wanna talk about it.

You worried that much?

I didn't say that.

Say something at least? You know we shouldn't stop having these-

CALL DROPS

I don't know what she expects me to say to her.

I don't think she even understands that I'm upset.

You just- you don't care. You don't care what happened.

You don't care about how it affected me.

I do. You never wanted to talk about it.

Can you blame me?

Why him?

Of all the people why him? he's such a-

Fucking dickhead. I hate that guy.

I know. It was just one time.

I know. It was just one time. I don't want to dwell on the past. It's done now.

I don't want to dwell on the past. It's done now.

I just want to think of us.

You shouldn't have fucking slept with him then.

That's not fair.

That's not fair.

Soup soup soup soup.

Soup soup soup soup.

Soup soup soup soup soup soup...

Soup! Hm.

The Government in association with the World Health Organisation

has advised European nations to close borders immediately. In an attempt

to limit international travel. The Prime Minister in his most recent conference

has enforced a longer quarantine period for the UK. Closing all of its borders for

the remainder of this month. The Chief of Staff at No.10 has outlined weekly

assessments to determine the end of these protocols but has warned that

the protocols in question will not ease for some time. We have been hearing

reports of thousands of UK citizens who are currently stuck abroad

with no knowledge of when they'll be able to return home.

Over two thousand flights have already been cancelled. With a further

five thousand more flights expected, following the collapse of

travel company Thomas Cook.

The current advice for anyone stuck abroad is to visit their

nation's local embassy and request emergency accommodation.

Perfect.

TV SOUNDS

TV SOUNDS

RINGTONE Beethoven's 5th Symphony.

Hello?

Hey. Just wanted to check up on you.

You sound a bit grim.

Uh yeah. Yeah yeah. I think I caught it.

You holding up alright?

Uh. no.

Well, my brother had it too. He's on the mend now too. So yeah.

Just means me and my family can't leave for a few more weeks.

Well whatever it is, it is rough.

Yeah.

Haven't felt this bad for a while.

Yeah.

The treatment they sent us has done wonders for Will. He's past the worst of it now.

Yeah.

Well beer doesn't go with it. I can tell you that much.

Oh please take care of yourself.

Yeah yeah. I will. I will.

I won't be making that mistake for a while.

And what about your parents?

Parents? Oh, they're still out there. No idea when they'll be back.

Feels like it's getting worse and worse.