I wake up to an assault on the senses. Cat’s raspy tongue grazing my cheek and ‘kitten breath’ almost making me gag. He’s already headed off to work. Vague memories of a goodbye kiss as I click the kettle on.

Brew Irish Breakfast. Drink Irish Breakfast. Skip actual breakfast. Downstairs in the gym I go through the motions. Next time I’ll run for twenty minutes more. It’s always next time.

Back home, I wash off the remnants of fatigue. Waking up always seems to take forever. Smoke two cigarettes. I’ll quit tomorrow.

I head out the door for work, walk once around the block and re-enter my apartment. Boot up computer, check email, delete spam, look at the word puzzle, write down the letters. Try not to think about it. Work out the answer.

I disconnect from the web and start writing.

One simple rule: one sentence at a time; no going back. I’m not ready to edit this document yet. I smoke two more cigarettes. The cat jumps on my lap and insists on sitting on one hand. Stare at the screen. The phone rings – saved by the phone! It’s 11:30, not lunch time yet. “I’m busy,” I tell the phone.

Crisis averted.

Typing continues. 12:42 arrives. Sigh. Re-connect to the web. Remind myself about lunch. Read and reply to emails. Chat online. Check favourite websites. Time check: 1:09. Do online crossword. Prepare lunch and place it next to the keyboard where I won’t forget it. Mental note: don’t forget to take your meds. Back to work, it’s 1:15. Cat sleeping on my lap, both hands on the keyboard, I finally hit my rhythm.

Time check: 3:40. “Fuck!” Eat lunch, take meds, call Him at work. Complain, whine, inquire, explain, wash, rinse, repeat. Back to the keyboard.

Time check: 4:48. Finish work for the day. I have written 1556 words – a modest effort.

I dial the phone. “Beer?” “Yes.” “Big night?” “No.” It’s never a big night.

At 5:51, the pub nicely busy, I grab a beer. Friend is greeted at 6:07 by mock-serious complaints about his tardiness. More friends arrive seemingly by accident. “Can’t stay.” Don’t want to.

Time check: 8.00. Ish.

At home, He kisses me and complains about the cat. Cook. Eat. Clean. Settle in front of television with a book. Absently engage in discussion. “Goodnight.” He goes to bed. Adjust volume on television accordingly.

Time check: 11:30. Yawn. Strip off and to bed. Set alarm. Wait for sleep.

Jason Appleby is writing his first book.