I’ve been passing the time writing a coronavirus diary. Here’s some more…

Saturday March21: Last night, haunted by the mantra ‘a year without beer’ following yesterday’s order to close the pubs, I thrashed the plastic buying beverages online.

… Went for a walk, passed three kids dancing along the road, followed by parents shouting out activities, ‘running on the spot!,’ ‘hop!’ Great way to keep them fit now schools are closed.

… For the first time, people veer away if you pass in the street. There were no precautions in Sainsbury’s, no queuing space. I held my breath as I waited for a chitchatting elderly lady to find her money.

… Home to coffee on the forecourt, sitting on a living room chair, mug on the wheelie bin, watching the sun go down. 

Dead to date 233

Monday March23: A pattern is emerging. Wake, look out at blue sky and sunshine. Think, ‘Today I’ll…’ Then the grey blanket of Covid-19 descends and my energy vanishes like a popped balloon. One glimmer of hope, the beers are on their way.

Tuesday March24: Community spirit is starting to rise above the contagion. Neighbour knocked with a bag of shopping dropped off for us by daughter’s friend. Eggs, tuna, sardines, mince, bananas, Famous Grouse. The passing postman called out, ‘He’s already nicked the champagne.’

… Soon after the Walking Man went past. He’s a whippet-thin and whiskery old boy who walks constantly after heart surgery. Don’t know his name but we always nod. He said supermarkets were bare. Gave him a pint of milk, sliced bread, baked beans and a banana. He offered to pay. I declined.

… No long after, a passing stranger hailed me on my doorstep with a hearty ‘good morning’. It’s all changing.

… Then four cases of Long Man Best Bitter arrived. Courier kept his distance, said he had to sign on my behalf.

… Went Boriswalking. Stunning day, warm to hot, clear blue sky. Took pix of ‘We’re closed’ signs.

… in the evening I was drawn outside repeatedly, beautiful evening, dark, and starry, and quiet.

Death toll up 89 to 424.

Wednesday March25: Another glorious spring day in plague town, warm, clear skies. Saw an aeroplane.

… Same driver as yesterday delivered my polypin, 36 living pints of Harvey’s Best Bitter. Set it up to settle for 24 hours. Roll on tomorrow night.

… Went for Boriswalk and shop. Trickle of traffic and a few people about, many of whom are clueless about what a two-metre separation looks like.

… Sat on forecourt with a beer, reading and writing, as the sun set. Neighbour cleaning his car. His wife dashed off to butchers, dog in tow, when word reached her they had eggs.

Fatalities up 43 to 465

  • If you’re self-isolating you can still go outside in the footsteps of wounded soldier turned detective Danny Lancaster. The ebook of my first crime thriller – THE WRECK OF THE MARGHERITA – is free to download. The other six titles in the series are just 99p/99c each – www.billtodd.co.uk

Keep washing those hands, stay safe!