Page 33 of Game Changer

Buckie sits back on the couch munching on a prawn cracker. “Six am.”

“Ooft. I’ll still be in the land of nod at that time. I love my Sunday lie in. It’s the only day I refuse to go into any of my premises.”

“It’s good that you take time for yourself. Whenever I wrap filming on a project, I take a week to unwind and centre myself again. I love what I do, but man does it take its toll on your mental health. I used to think I was invincible and would flit from one project to the next without ever taking a proper break. You can’t sustain that.”

“Oh believe me I know that. When I opened my fourth place, I realised I couldn’t split myself into any more pieces. I was already working flat out. It was hard at first to allow my managers to do their jobs without feeling the need to be present all the time. I burnt out and it was not a pretty sight. A doctor actually signed me off with exhaustion and told me that I’d end up ill if I didn’t slow down. I took a week away at a spa in the highlands and ever since then I’ve made Sunday my self-care day. I still think I work too much but my business is my life.”

He nods his agreement. “My sentiments exactly.”

I shimmy across the couch and snuggle in beside him. He puts his arm round me and pulls me in close. “I’m going to have to head home soon. I’m exhausted and I really don’t want to crash here. Not if you’re leaving at the crack of dawn.”

“Thanks for helping me out tonight. It’s been nice to have some company. I hate that it’s getting harder and harder to say goodbye to you. Even though I’ll see you in less than two days, I’m going to miss spending time with you.”

“Mhm,” I agree and cuddle into his side knowing full well we’ve gone into this too fast and blinkered. I must stop overthinking this or I’ll waste any precious time we have right now.

---