Survival of the Ginnest

First Published in the UK
in 2013

SMASHWORDS EDITION

Copyright © 2013 Aimee Horton

Whilst this novella is fictional, some of the
content has been based on real life events.

This book remains the copyrighted property of
the author and may not be reproduced, scanned, or distributed for
any commercial or non-commercial use without permission from the
author. Quotes used in reviews are the exception. No alteration of
content is allowed. If you enjoyed this book, then encourage your
friends to download their own free copy.

Your support and respect for the property of
this author is appreciated.

To the three men in my life - the reasons I love gin quite so
much.

x

Introduction

Meet Dottie Harris. Dottie
spent her late twenties working her way up the career ladder as a
Project Manager. As “one of the boys” Dottie worked hard at the
office, and played hard out of it.

Whether it was in the pub
after work, sun drenched holidays, high heels, or even just movie
days with her husband in their immaculately clean house, she lived
the self-indulgent life of every childless couple.

Then, when she hit thirty
her clock ticked and she and her husband decided it was time to
start a family.

In this modern day diary,
Dottie discovers that as soon as she announces her pregnancy her
life as she knows it instantly changes. No more drinking games with
the boys, no more energy for the gym and no attention span for the
television. She struggles through the issues of pregnancy,
initially turning to social networking to build a new social life,
then after giving birth she quickly begins to rely on it - along
with Gin - as a way to reach out and remind herself of the funny
side of the frustrations of motherhood, along with a way of
realising that she’s not the only person who now considers anything
after 7am to be a lie in.

Follow her journey as her
children grow older, and she gets less enthusiastic.

2007

November 11, 2007 at
21:15

67 PEOPLE HAVE ADDED
Dottie TO THEIR FRIENDS LIST

November 11, 2007 at
21:27

2 people like
this

November 12, 2007 at
7:58

2 people like
this

November 12, 2007 at
16:09

2 people like
this

November 16, 2007 at
17:25

12 people like
this

November 17, 2007 at
2:59

19 people like
this

November 17, 2007 at
11:23

13 people like
this

16 people like
this

November 23, 2007 at
16:46

1 person likes
this

November 23, 2007 at
23:46

1 person likes
this

Dottie
Harris
- LOST-athon with nachos and Malteasers and
wine.

November 25, 2007 at
14:33

1 person likes
this

Dottie
Harris
is sneaking in a naughty two weeks in Mexico before
Christmas - see you on the other side!

December 3, 2007 at
3:27

1 person likes
this

Dottie
Harris
is driving back from the airport (as a passenger)
feeling full and fat and is now checking her e-mail after not
moving from her sun lounger for two weeks.

December 18, 2007 at
23:48

7 people like
this

Dottie
Harris
is back in the office with mince pies and her to-do
list.

December 19, 2007 at
8:39

1 person likes
this

Dottie
Harris
is six mince pies down and they haven’t even touched
the side - post holiday blues?!

December 19, 2007 at
11:57

3 people like
this

Dottie
Harris
totally hasn’t just been out in her lunch hour and
bought her Christmas Party dress!

December 20, 2007 at
13:50

9 people like
this

Dottie
Harris
is in the taxi heading home - light weight
:(

December 21, 2007 at
23:55

2 people like
this

Dottie
Harris
does NOT feel good.

December 22, 2007 at
11:37

6 people like
this

Dottie
Harris
can’t make tonight - sorry guys - stomach
bug!

1 person likes
this

12 people like
this

3 people like
this

December 27, 2007 at
9:23

13 people like
this

4 people like
this

1 person likes
this

1 person likes
this

2008

January 2, 2008 at
8:31

1 person likes
this

January 4, 2008 at
8:31

1 person likes
this

January 11, 2008 at
11:51

18 people like
this

Dottie
Harris
thinks that whoever called it MORNING sickness is a
BIG FAT LIAR.

January 11, 2008 at
16:34

1 person likes
this

Dottie
Harris
is brr!

January 20, 2008 at
10:06

5 people like
this

Dottie
Harris
heading home from the pub to her bed leaving everyone
at the pub - banging head :(

January 20, 2008 at
21:13

1 person likes
this

Dottie
Harris
is in denial.

January 21, 2008 at
11:34

3 people like
this

Dottie
Harris
is really not up for a night out tonight guys - sorry
next time I PROMISE x

January 25, 2008 at
15:12

2 people like
this

Dottie
Harris
is always hungry!

February 12, 2008 at
11:54

3 people like
this

Dottie
Harris
is already unable to do up her work
trousers.

February 15, 2008 at
7:23

6 people like
this

Dottie
Harris
wonders if 2 bumps are normal?!

February 16, 2008 at
9:16

4 people like
this

Dottie
Harris
hearts Yorkshire Puddings

February 17, 2008 at
17:37

1 person likes
this

Dottie
Harris
would really like to get a proper bump already,
rather then just looking like she’s eaten all the pie.

February 19, 2008 at
19:31

1 person likes
this

Dottie
Harris
is willing her belly button to pop!

February 23, 2008 at
12:20

1 person likes
this

Dottie
Harris
thinks her shoes may hate her feet.

February 27, 2008 at
18:47

3 people like
this

Dottie
Harris
is watching three men try to put together a sofa.
It’s not going well.

March 1, 2008 at
17:19

1 person likes
this

Dottie
Harris
wonders how she will manage in the summer if she's
this tired now!

March 6, 2008 at
18:45

1 person likes
this

Dottie
Harris
wants brownies.

March 7, 2008 at
21:06

1 person likes
this

Dottie
Harris
thinks that brownies weren’t really all that after
all.

March 8, 2008 at
9:01

1 person likes
this

Dottie
Harris
is trawling through over THREE THOUSAND* e-mails. All
from the weekend!

*This may be an
exaggeration

March 10, 2008 at
7:36

2 people like
this

Dottie
Harris
wants her birthday present now!!

March 11, 2008 at
9:32

3 people like
this

Dottie
Harris
loves her birthday present!

March 11, 2008 at
22:21

5 people like
this

Dottie
Harris
is grateful for the slow sips of Orange Tango which
allowed her not to throw up on her boss during the longest 30
minute meeting in the WORLD.