Too LIDL (not) too late

When I gazed at my work laptop screen on a hot Wednesday afternoon, my mind was blank. I looked at unfamiliar objects in my bedroom: withered flowers, a new desk fan that was not there yesterday morning and antihistamine tablets. The heat made me doubt whether they are real or they are just figments of my imagination. Despite I promised myself not to do that, I peeked at my phone and my eye caught a distress signal from Mrs U.

For months I wondered what happened to her. I haven't seen any shopping missions from the familiar South Ealing location and I was starting to worry. Of all my mission commanders, she made me carry the heaviest groceries and was strict about budgeting and branding. With that said, I loved the challenges she gave me in the past.

I don't usually do good on weekdays, and I was supposed to do overtime, and it might have been too hot for running. The world tried to tell me not to pick the Thursday 6 pm mission slot. So I tapped "Make it happen". Boom. The brilliant Mission Control team didn't give me the time to have second thoughts and back off.

The next day I pulled out my large rucksack for serious shopping missions from the dusty cupboard. I opened my drawer and found a reusable facemask that looked fresh and the last pair of bottoms suitable for running that didn't need laundry yet - the lightweight grey Primani shorts that resembled skimpy pyjama bottoms. They looked ok with my red shirt.

It was 5:31 pm when I sneakily abandoned my work desk and went AWOL. The moment I stepped outside, my legs and lungs melted. I encouraged myself to keep going with my go-to running track until my right earphone's battery died after 10 minutes. It astonished me that my fluttering grey shorts managed to get me to Mrs U's several minutes ahead of schedule.

I still remembered the flat number, so I took a deep breath and dialled it on the intercom. When I waved at the camera, the door opened. A chair with tiny wheels was blocking the door of Mrs U's flat from closing. She later explained it was to keep the draught going. Mrs U looked different today and I tried to figure out why. It was because that was the first time I saw her without her face mask. I kept mine on as usual and she recognised me. Mrs U still remembered I went home for the Easter break. And she still remembered that I am from the Netherlands - except that I am not. But I like to think I am not so short, so I'll take it. I tried to stay professional but I couldn't deny I missed Mrs U and was worried about her. She said she struggled without me, and her current referer couldn't get her any GoodGymer, so she took matters into her own hands and called GoodGym on her own. And that's why I was here.

Mrs U presented me with the shortest list ever: only nine items from Lidl and no marble cake (apparently, her doctor does not recommend it). I would lie if I said I was disappointed. The shopping was a breeze. I got Mrs U the most greenish bananas I could possibly find and other classics from her list. I couldn't find the 30% less fat cheese, so after liaising with her on the phone, I chose grated mozzarella instead. Taking my rucksack along with extra bags seemed superfluous - until I realised one of Mrs U's bags had ripped off handles. I decided to pack everything into the rucksack.

Upon my successful arrival with the goods, I was greeted by the sight of the familiar black and white cat resident - except that there were two of them! My brain got a little bit shaky again. I chose to believe there were always two cats but I have never seen them together.

Mrs U was very grateful for the help, and it was a pleasure for me to see her being well and to return to doing her groceries. When I arrived back home I sensed that my absence might have disappointed a few people from my private and professional life - but not Mrs U! So I felt darn good about it.