The counting of the ballots took place on May 5th, a very wet and rather dark day but it was full of hope for all the candidates. I had geared myself up to whatever the outcome knowing that first time candidate usually do not get elected.

To my delight, the outcome of the ballots had proven me wrong, and I was full of excitement to say the least. Equally, I was keeping track of the time as I had to do the school run and while everyone was sheltering from the rain, I run in delight to let the boys know their mum was now a Councillor.

So I celebrated the new at the playground Eddington, speaking to a few parent, attending to my children and thinking of the path ahead. I would do my organising on Tuesday morning, and rest over the weekend (and attend a celebratory party with my whole family at the Labour’s HQ).

On Monday evening, past midnight, my youngest woke up unable to breath properly due to croup/asthma attack. We were fortunate the ambulance came very quickly and off we went to A&E. We got back in the morning. A few hours and the reality of balancing work/lack of sleep due to the previous night did not matter, as I knew I could now make a difference from the inside out.

My life as a councillor had just started.

By the end of the week, seven days after the election results, I signed the official book.