Out of Office

Kate Turton lives in Bristol with her husband, two daughters and an old ginger cat. She once dreamed of being a poet, became a scientist instead and now works for the public sector. She spends as much time as possible singing, baking and walking, and tries to write creatively at least once a week.

Orla looked at her face in the mirror and gently teased the comb through her hair. After years of keeping it short and neat, she had finally found the courage to let it grow. Yesterday, she had been to the salon to have it professionally styled and conditioned, and the light feeling of it skimming her shoulders was a titillating novelty. She placed the comb down on the dressing table, picked up her favourite blush-pink gloss and applied a slick coating to her pursed lips. She pouted ‘selfie-style’ at her reflection then smiled back at herself. She was all made up and ready to go. She slipped her feet into a pair of low-heeled shoes, grabbed her tote bag