Week 1: Budget

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It's Tuesday night and everything should be great.

I can smell lasagne cooking in the kitchen below and can hear Kelly rushing around in the kitchen, sometimes singing, sometimes swearing.

I should be down there. Pouring wine, watching Great British Menu, offering to cut the garlic bread.

Instead I’m in the spare room: The ‘Noffice’. Currently my office but earmarked as a future nursery.

I read the message again.

‘You have overspent on this year’s budget and have not met agreed targets. The board have decided to relieve you of your duties. Thank you for your hard work.’

The message flashes on the screen. I read it again. Once more. I think of the hours wasted and remember the decisions that sent me over budget. Could I have done anything different? My ideas notebook sits redundantly next to the laptop. Full of plans for the rest of the year.

A call from below, ten minutes. Ten minutes to get over the disappointment, plan my next move and go downstairs and pretend like nothing’s wrong.

Another call. The wine needs to be opened and yes, the garlic bread needs to be cut. Time to get over it. It was a shock and a quick decision but I start thinking about bouncing back.

It was fun while it lasted and I’ll never forget that season we got to the playoffs. Goodbye Yeovil Town. I’ll start a new game tomorrow, maybe an Italian club. And I’ll definitely stick to the budget.