The Undomestic Goddess

by Sophie Kinsella

On average, how many hours do you spend in the office every day? 14

hahaha

“Your job is obviously very pressured.” “I thrive under pressure,” I explain. Which is true. I’ve known that about myself ever since … Well. Ever since my mother told me, when I was about eight. You thrive under pressure, Samantha. Our whole family thrives under pressure. It’s like our family motto or something.

What if I do nothing for six minutes? What am I supposed to write down then?

hahaha.....

11:06–11:12 daydreamed about bumping into George Clooney in street 11:12–11:18 attempted to touch nose with tongue

In fact, I do everything faster. I walk faster, talk faster, eat faster … have sex faster …

“A mistake isn’t a mistake.” Guy pauses. “Unless it can’t be put right.” As he says the words, his eyes seem to hold an extra significance.

DEAR SAMANTHA 1. ALL YOUR FOOD IS PAST ITS SELL-BY DATES. SHOULD I THROW AWAY? 2. DO YOU HAVE ANY CLEANING MATERIALS, E.G. BLEACH? COULD NOT FIND ANY. 3. ARE YOU COLLECTING CHINESE FOOD CARTONS FOR ANY REASON? DID NOT THROW THEM AWAY, JUST IN CASE. YOUR CLEANER JOANNE

love letter

Flowers in earthenware jugs are everywhere. There’s an old-fashioned range and a scrubbed wooden table and a stable door open to the outside. As I’m wondering whether I should be making conversation, a chicken wanders in and starts scratching at the ground.

sense this is a woman who doesn’t waste words.

👌

“Samantha, cooking isn’t about writing down. It’s about tasting. Feeling. Touching. Smelling.”

We spend all weekend cooking.

“Not so fast. Take your time! Taste the food!”

😋

Oh, God. Full crush alert. Full, one hundred percent, old-fashioned adolescent crush.

She’s gazing up at Eddie as though no one else exists, and I suddenly feel a little pang. They really are in love. I can see the antagonism slowly melting away in their eyes. It’s like witnessing a chemical reaction in a test tube.

The great thing about legal training is it really teaches you to lie.

👌

“Don’t beat yourself up for not knowing all the answers. You don’t always have to know who you are. You don’t have to have the big picture, or know where you’re heading. Sometimes it’s enough just to know what you’re going to do next.”

🗝️

“You never know how things are going to turn out, however much you plan. But you already know that.” “I always thought my life would be a certain way,” I say, gazing down at my plate.

The sky is an endless, evening blue and there’s the smell of honeysuckle in the air. Music is burbling away gently in the background and Nathaniel’s hand is resting casually on my thigh. I have never felt so content in my life.

I’ve been thinking about it all day, over and over. Being a partner at Carter Spink is the dream I’ve had all my adult life. The glittering prize. It’s everything I ever wanted … Except all the things I never knew I wanted. Things I had no idea about until a few weeks ago. Like fresh air. Like evenings off. Unburdened weekends. Making plans with friends. Sitting in the pub after my work is done, drinking cider, with nothing to do, nothing hanging over me.

If I’ve learned one lesson from all that’s happened to me, it’s that there is no such thing as the biggest mistake of your existence. There’s no such thing as ruining your life. Life’s a pretty resilient thing, it turns out.

“Nathaniel told me all about it. I’m sure you’ve made the right decision.” She pauses. “Well … good-bye, chicken. And good luck. We’ll miss you.”

“Samantha, before you go …” Iris takes hold of both my hands, her face filled with concern. “Sweetie … I’m sure you’re doing what’s best for you. But just remember, you only get your youth once.” She looks at my hand, smooth against hers. “You only get these precious years once.” “I’ll remember.” I bite my lip. “I promise.” “Good.” She pats my hand. “Off you go.”

🥹🥹🥹