Distracting

Linda pushed her fingers against her closed eye lids. Coffee was usually a great 'pick-me-up' but today it seemed to thicken the haze she was in, rather than dispel it.

Linda let her eyes drift around her office, flitting from the impressive desk, to the dark leather chairs opposite, to the private washroom's tastefully closed door. She even had a little spin in her chair, taking a moment to read the text on her framed MBA and Bachelors and the little array of work awards. Anything to escape her computer really. The flashing, and she was nearly, almost, sort-of certain it was flashing, screen was getting worse. The normally fierce manager just couldn't face another patronising dressing down from IT, however.

But it wasn't just the computer. Her suit trousers had been feeling a little tight recently, despite all the work at the gym. And she was wearing her favourite white bra today, yet even that felt wrong. It was too hot in here too! Definitely!

Linda was twirling a strand of hair again. She snapped her hand down. She was a serious professional! She didn't need any girlish habits seeping into her mannerisms! She instead focused on downing the last of her cooling coffee. It just wasn't helping, however.

Then her eyes moved from her mug to the salon magazine. Linda had not realised, but her new reading materials had been slowly altered. All of her glossy gossip and fashion rags had slowly started to feature almost exclusively blondes. The average bust size had been trending upwards too...

A tendril of hair was wound around her finger again. The dark brunette colour was striking. She bit her lip.

The salon was only a short walk away. She wasn't getting much done this morning anyway.

"Patricia!" she snapped at her secretary as she walked from her office, electing to leave her suit jacket and seizing her sensible shoulder bag. "I am heading out for a moment, take any calls. Oh, and call IT. My computer is playing up."

Delegation! That was the answer to woes! And even Patricia, 'Call-me-Trixie', the college drop out could manage this.

As she reached the elevator, Linda realised she was playing with her hair again. Maybe some blonde highlights? she thought as she pulled her hand away once more.