Where There’s a Will, There’s a Way

We shared childcare when our son was small. Once he mastered walking — not to mention grabbing everything within reach — translation work on a table in the corner of the bedroom became impossible.

I moved table, typewriter and dictionaries onto the landing of our small block of flats, warned the neighbours, and worked there undisturbed. Out of sight was out of mind for the little one.

However, as a true Brit, brain work for me involves a constant supply of cups of tea. How to refuel without opening the front door of the flat and giving the game away? Simple. To the bemusement of passers-by, we leaned out and passed mugs back and forth between the kitchen window and the adjacent landing window.

Contentment all round — but with no toilet on the landing I typed with my legs crossed.