1: New Arrival (A Letter to Dad)

Dad

I hope this finds you well.  It's been three and a half months since the move and I can now, finally, say that I am truly settled.  Sorry about not writing more often but I've been kept so busy that I'm almost falling asleep before my head hits the pillow at night.  My supervisor at the Times, Hannah Jones, is nice enough and we might even become friends.  I have reason to hope that soon they will trust me with more responsibility.  As expected I'm little more than a dogsbody; fetch, deliver and file, that's me.
I practice writing so that when the chance comes I'll be ready.  I even took a short course in case there was something four years of extra schooling didn't manage to teach me.

The uniform for deliveries outside the office is an awful yellow complete with cap.  Ugh.  The reporters wear business clothes, so hopefully I wont have to wear it too long.  I'm getting to know some of them, although there's not really a lot of time for chit chat.

You'll be happy to know that I'm learning how to cook!!  I know right, me in the kitchen.  Fending for yourself is a crash course in basic cookery.  I'm still mastering a decent salad, frozen waffles and good old mac'n'cheese; but I'm not starving and I haven't burnt down the house, yet.  LoL.

I'm spending a lot of time at the local library which, given the nature of small-town life, is actually a popular hangout.  They have free Internet access, which helps keep the bills down and you know how I am around books.  The library is this grand old building, I wish you could see it.  At night they run heaters inside because there's no central heating.

The other day I met a guy called Hal.  I could hardly believe it when he started flirting with me!  I know that it's not the sort of thing a Dad wants to hear, but I'm not exactly a little girl anymore.  He's all muscly with gorgeous eyes.  I'll spare you any more details, not that there's much more to tell.


Basically I'm happy, although I still miss you when I get the chance to stop and think.  Moving so far away was my choice though and I don't regret it.  We all have to make our own mark.  You'll be proud of me, I promise.  Take care of yourself.


Love
Andrea



P.S.  Just before I'm sending this, I've been called into a meeting with the head; appointment is tomorrow morning.  Hopefully this is it!!  Promotion here I come.  Wish me luck.