It is just another day, one of the many that ultimately join together to form an existence. Rays of dappled sunlight filter through the weathered boughs of the large elm trees. Well-kept house are neatly enclosed by tiny picket fences painted white or forest green. In Caroline’s house an overpowering smell of a baking cake floods the kitchen, masking the intermingling scents of dishwashing detergent and stale bread. Caroline wearily clears the kitchen table and wipers her chapped hands firmly on her faded floral apron. Drained of energy, she collapses in a nearby chair. Her eyelids droop. From the adjourning lounge the television blares loudly. The noise is soon overridden by the screeching voices of her two eldest children. They viciously claw at each other, both demanding control of the remote control. Their shrill voices awaken Caroline’s two month old daughter from her peaceful slumber. Resentfully, her bottom lip quivers uncontrollably and she begins to wail in loud and unceasing sobs. The noise level escalates and pandemonium reigns. Feebly, Caroline sighs and rises slowly from her chair.

Clare’s new office looks much like her old one. The room is filled with sophisticated gadgets, which do not seem to serve any real purpose other than to be seen. Everything is constructed of steel, aluminium or glass. The furniture is supposedly sleek and modern although to Clare it simply seems hard, cold and uncomfortable. Inwardly, she dreads the thought of yet another day. As she begins concentrating on her tasks, her face acquires a passive and mechanised expression. Her highly polished fingers tap loudly on the keyboard Seconds become minutes, minutes become hours. Clare continues to work although it is never long before she restlessly diverts her eyes to the time displayed on the oddly shaped digital clock. Reluctantly she looks to her computer screen Ever since she was young she had been taught to understand the world through numbers and words. She understands them and they make sense to her, She likes their simplicity, for they are neither as complicated nor as fickle as human nature. Despite this, she finds them unchallenging. She is tired and bored she feels likes screaming.

Caroline carefully comforts her baby before turning to chastise her older children; they glare bitterly at her and mutter rudely once her back is turned. Caroline returns weakly to her spot at the kitchen table and sits limply with her head in her hands. Before her is a tick wad of writing paper and a newly sharpened pencil. Caroline attempts to jot down some ideas for a short story. It seems as though her thoughts are trapped somewhere in the deep recesses of her mind and refuse to surface. Caroline groans in exasperation She never used to have such problems, ideas would simply flow effortlessly through her and fill page after page. The pristine white page remains stationary on the table, mocking her. Caroline vaguely recalls her days at university. She had been a passionate young woman with great ambitions of being a writer. She often shunned other women for not pursuing their careers in favour of getting married and having a family. She had so many dreams. Where had they gone?

Clare wanders down the street after work. The dark sky is illuminated with brightly coloured lights. Wonderful smells permeate from the restaurants on the sidewalk. A sense of excitement lingers in the air. Cars zoom quickly down the road, their horns honking impatiently. Clare thinks about the people who drive in those cars. They are all anxious to return to their families and friends. They are all eager to go home Home. The very thought of the word cause Clare to feel pain, all she has is a large dark and lonely apartment. Clare glances at the brilliantly lit shops and arcades she walks past. The soft lights twinkle merrily at her beckoning her. The temptation is too much. Clare succumbs and enters the shop. She relishes the sensation of reckless abandonment that comes with buying things. She returns home laden with purchases. Upon entering her apartment, the momentary happiness she felt fades away, leaving a gnawing emptiness within her, Her numerous bags and packages fall to the floor, forgotten Her life is filled with things that are useless and inanimate She realises that his is not what she wants.

A shrill ringing interrupts Caroline’s thoughts. The cake is ready. Resignedly she places her oversized over mitts over her hands and removes the cake and the tray from the oven. As the cake cools, Caroline sits agonized staring at the window. It offers a view to so much hope and opportunity, but at the same imprisons her. She feels trapped in a never-ending cycle of cleaning, cooking and fretting. She is tired of constantly feeling as though she is dangerously close to crossing the line that separates sanity and madness. She is fed up with her dreary existence, and thinks only of escaping from it. Unable to contain her angst any longer, she seizes her car keys and hurriedly sprints to the door.

It is the next day and Clare sits outside on a bench eating her lunch. Men dressed in black and grey suits stride past purposefully wearing identical stony expressions on their faces. Clare sometimes wonders whether they ever stop to think. She almost envies those that have the ability to lead their lives without ever questioning anything. She watches the cars that drive past. One in particular catches her attention. It is a white station wagon that pulls up to the sidewalk. The woman inside looks strained and burdened. Clare spies the plush toys and the baby carrier that the woman has in her backseat. In spite of all her wealth and position, she feels a strong sense of jealousy towards the woman in the car. She envies her because she has children and a family. Unlike Clare she is loved and is surrounded by people whom she loves. It suddenly occurs to Clare that this is what is missing her life. This is why she is unfulfilled.

Caroline drives around aimlessly not knowing where she will go or what she will do. Thoughts race through her mind, making her feel dizzy and light-headed. She stops her car and tries desperately to compose herself. Through the windscreen she sees a stylishly dressed woman sitting on the corner bench. She recognises the woman’s face as that of Clare Martin, the wealthy and successful general manger of Freehills Industries. Clare appears to be mesmerized by the ordinary scene unfolding before her. She is frowning slight and seems troubled. Suddenly, their eyes meet. Caroline turns away quickly, embarrassed. She admires Clare for her courage and her ability to succeed in a field dominated by men. She wishes she could have done half as well.

Clare walks in to the club with clammy hands. She knows she has made a big mistake and feels incredibly nervous. Here she has no control. All around the room, other people her age are all sitting and chatting. She feels out of place and decides to leave. As she heads towards the doors she hears her name being called. She turns around. Seated behind her is a group of people that look oddly familiar. Upon closer inspection she discovers they are the people that she attended university with. They urge her to join them and they spend the rest of the night talking, joking and laughing. By the end of the night they are all good friends. As she leaves Clare can barely contain her excitement, She has rediscovered what it is to feel truly happy and content.

Caroline drives home. Her two eldest children are standing outside on the porch waiting for her, their faces blanched with worry, Wordlessly she puts her arms around her shoulders and lead them inside. She finds the cooled cake has been decorated with chocolate icing and hundreds and thousands. She cuts the cake and summons her children. She watches as they bite in to the deliciously thick slices. Her little boy grins toothily at her after he has taken a large mouthful of cake and offers her his half devoured piece. His eyes reflect his confusion and concern for her. Looking at his innocent, chocolate smeared face Caroline feels her own bitterness ebb away, replaced by a sense of warmth and achievement, Playfully she ruffles his short brown hair and smiles. Encourage, he hands her a writing pad and pencil. Caroline picks up the pencil, takes a deep breath and begins to write.