So we tested positive by Jules Doyle

 
 
 

This morning my 74-year-old Mum drove to London at 6 am to take Oreo my beloved poodle (he needs walking three times a day) she stood in the pouring rain as he ran to her. It's an image I'll never forget. We need him here. He calms us, heals us and makes us laugh. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I'd fall in love with a poodle. 

Wednesday Louis sixth form closed, Thursday Louis got tested, Friday Woody got tested and Saturday I got tested. We have very mild symptoms and we are not nearly as poorly as if we had the flu but the whole process has been terrifying. I'm in shock. I never thought it would strike our household and god knows how it feels if you are short of breath with underlying health issues. 

They say London is a hard city. This whole COVID mess has made me realise I have been looking for love in all the wrong places all my life. Friends and neighbours, I can't thank you enough. They are love. Something else I have learned is if you do need a neighbour to drop off food the French and gay community are amazing. My coffee now comes from the roasters rather than the Coop, we have Oysters for tea. Thank you, Laure, I do love you. 

See Athena's work here.

I guess you are wondering how I'm feeling now. Well, I have FOMO! I have never had FOMO in my whole life. I had the opposite. FOJI. I have tickets booked to Houghton Hall and also the Summer Exhibition at the Royal Academy my all-time favourite exhibition of the year. I was so looking forward to seeing one of our artists Athena Anastasiou “Bringing the past to new Horizons” work at the RA. I know that it might sound like a luxury but art is my therapy it heals me. It's my sanity when life gets turbulent. 

I'm trying desperately to hold on to the positives in all of this. I can honestly say the bond between my boys has never been stronger. When I worked as a Creative Director in Advertising, I used to walk through the door or should I say screech through the door at around 8 pm. I'd shout at the nanny, chuck some sushi at my darlings and then carry on working. In COVID time's I mindfully cook every meal from scratch and listen to my boy's hearts. I am sending love to every single nanny that has ever worked for us. I also want to apologise to the hamsters that are no longer with us. I should have fed you more often. (Let's hope David Attenborough's not reading this, he's new to Insta. I would love him to follow me, but not this week).

Candy Darling (Red Neon) - Sara Pope

My big career has gone I have my boys, my friends, my neighbours, my poodle, art and you, my followers. I'm financially broken and emotionally enriched like never before. I'd love you to take another look at our COVID Collection there are beautiful new pieces by Sara Pope and Athena Anastasiou, it feels timely. £10 on every piece sold still goes to COVID and NHS charities. 

Sending love to anyone affected by this dreadful virus and love in general. Even to the hamsters but not Trump, I can't bring myself to do that. 

Jules and the BWS team

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