Sounds of a Day Off

Life is filled with noises and chaos - what do you hear when it all slows down?

Silence.

Then, birds. A crow, a robin, a wood pigeon.

The unhurried breath of someone still deep in sleep.

The swish of the duvet cover being folded, hugged or pushed aside.

A husky whisper, ‘good morning’.

The shuffle of slippers on uncarpeted floorboards, like tip-toeing on bubble-wrap.

The sudden gush of the tap; water slapping the base of the sink.

The kettle rapidly crackling with limescale, steam hissing out and filling the room.

Water lapping into mugs, the slow rise of a long pour as eyes adjust.

Book pages turning over like waves.

Sinking deeper into Sunday.

The boiler humming between the walls as the shower rains into the bathtub.

Drip. Drip. Clean, dry hair whispering behind ears.

The whirring of the washing machine, repetitive and dull. A zip clanging occasionally.

The vacuum screaming at the dirt.

Coffee machines.

Plates rapping against one another.

Conversations blurring into background hubbub.

Dogs barking, bringing attention back into the room.

The sound of a clear sky. Or of rain.

Kids laughing on creaking metal swings.

Piano keys ringing throughout the house, vibrating every wall and picture frame.

A familiar voice, comforting and soft.

The sound of ‘I love you’. 

The whip of a lighter and occasional pop of a candle wick.

A glug of oil coating a pan; increased hissing as onion thuds onto the surface.

The drag of a chair on the wooden floor.

The uncomfortable screech of a plate scratched with an over-eager fork.

The click-clack of Scrabble tiles.

Nostalgic drums of the Eastenders theme beating through the TV speakers.

A sharp breath to stifle a groaning yawn.

The knock of the kitchen door pulled shut, muting the grind of the refrigerator.

A switch turned off with a snap, the lamplight simultaneously disappearing.

The padded thud of feet up carpeted stairs.

A long exhale.