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Post by sophie on Jun 23, 2010 13:17:58 GMT
“I hope she’s okay now,” said Bridget, looking out of the window. She and Riley were driving to Joanna’s house for the rearranged dinner. They were talking about Josie, but Bridget’s mind was on other things.
“Are you okay?” asked Riley, making Bridget jump. She hadn’t been thinking about anything really – just looking up at the sky and she hadn’t expected a question.
“I’m fine,” she said in surprise. “Why?”
“You’re really quiet, it’s not like you.”
“I’m just tired,” brushed off Bridget, and she smiled reassuringly. She had got up at five again and decided to do it every morning. It gave so much more time to study.
“How does your brain keep up?” exclaimed Declan, coming out that morning to find her surrounded by books and notes and a complicated looking diagram on the computer screen.
“I’m just going over old stuff,” she had said in defence. “I used to know it.”
Her husband had shuddered and said, “I don’t want to know what the new stuff will be. God, I hope Indy gets your brains. I couldn’t do any of it.”
“You just didn’t like school, you weren’t stupid.”
“I wasn’t clever though,” he had argued back and before Bridget could protest that he was he had gone for a shower and she had left the work to get up India, trying to remember all the formulas.
“What time did you get up?” Riley asked.
“Five.”
“Five?!” he exclaimed. “Getting up that early should be illegal!”
“Wait til you have kids, you’ll be getting up at four.”
“Did India get up at four?”
“No,” Bridget admitted.
“You’re crazy then. Why did you get up so early?”
“To study.”
“You’ve always worked too hard, Didge.”
“I’m not working too hard!” she exclaimed angrily. “I’m a mum! I have a new baby coming too! I already have to get up at six to do India’s lunch and then I have work and cleaning and maybe an hour or so free, then I have to get India from school, look after her, help her with her homework, cook dinner if it’s my turn and then get her to bed! That doesn’t leave much time for other stuff!”
“That made me feel dizzy,” said Riley. “And if you have that much on already you don’t need to get up at five. I should stay here and make sure you’re not pushing yourself.”
“I’m not,” said Bridget stubbornly. “When India was a baby I survived on two hours sleep, I get more than that now. I’m just going over my old notes so when she’s a bit older I can try to apply for a course. I’ve got to keep up, Ri.”
He sighed at her.
“Okay, okay. But don’t overdo it, okay? Like with physio, you insisted on going home right away and doing exercise until you nearly dropped.”
“I’m glad I worked so hard. That was the worst time of my life and was amazing to get back to walking without the stick.”
“Yes, but you nearly drowned!”
“I might have overdone it then,” Bridget admitted. “But I’m not now, okay?”
“Okay,” said Riley and he drove on and she stared out of the window sulkily. She hated how she was a grown woman yet whenever she was with her older brother she felt like a ten-year-old again. The same age as Josie. They pulled up to the house and Josie ran up to greet them.
“Hey,” said Bridget, hugging her. “How’s it been going at school?”
“Fine,” said Josie, her eyes sparkling. “Great! They don’t go near me now. They’re scared you’ll come back,” she said to Riley. “I forgot to tell them you were going back to Sydney.”
He laughed and hugged her.
They made their way to the front door and Joanna let them in and she smiled, but looked a little sad.
“Hi Joanna,” said Bridget, still feeling self-conscious from before.
“Hi Bridget,” she said warmly. “Hello Riley. Would you like a cup of tea?”
Before he could answer Josie tugged at his arm.
“Come and see my new picture,” she demanded.
Riley glanced at Joanna and she nodded, so they headed upstairs.
“Would you like one Bridget?” Joanna asked, taking her bag.
“Please,” said Bridget, getting the sense that Joanna wanted to make some and have something to do. “Where’s Clara?”
“She’s up in her room finishing off some homework for one. She got the point that we won’t let her see that boy again if she doesn’t try a bit harder so she’s being good at the moment. I hope it lasts.”
“Me too,” said Bridget, taking the cup Joanna offered. “How have you been?” she asked, as they sat down.
“I’ve been feeling a bit bad,” Joanna said in a rush, as though to stop herself from giving the stock answer of fine. “Because of the bullying.”
“Oh,” said Bridget. “You shouldn't blame yourself,” she said, hoping that it wouldn’t sound condescending.
“I just wish she’d told me,” said Joanna, staring at her cup. “Why didn’t she? You’re a mother, you’ll understand,” she said, looking at Bridget. “You want to always protect your child. I feel awful because I didn’t.”
“But you didn’t know. Josie thought she had it under control.”
“But she didn’t,” said Joanna sadly. “And I went to the teacher and I hoped that was the end of it – she said it was – but it wasn’t. If Riley hadn’t been there it would probably still be going on. I wish Josie had gone to me and I wish Clara would go to me. They always told me things when they were little.”
“When you get older, I guess you don’t want to tell your mum and dad everything,” said Bridget, yet she knew how Joanna felt, or had an idea of it. She couldn’t bear India keeping bullying from her.
“I know,” sighed Joanna. “They’re growing up now, and Clara’s at that age where she wants to have her own life and not tell me things – but I still see them as my babies.”
Bridget felt incredibly sad. Sad because she knew she would always see India that way too and sad because, though she knew Joanna hadn’t intended it that way, she had once been her daughter too and yet Joanna had let her go, and she had become Miranda’s daughter instead, her baby. Childishly she wondered if that made them less important to Joanna, back that, but she knew that wasn’t why. If she was in Joanna’s position back then, she wondered if she could have done it. She shook herself and said,
“I remember just not telling Mum about school things and things I had done when I was Clara’s age. I wanted to stop feeling such a child, it wasn’t because I loved her any less.”
“I know,” said Joanna, wiping her eyes. “I’m being silly.”
“No,” said Bridget comfortingly but then her brother and sisters came downstairs and their attention turned to them.
“Hello,” said Joanna to Clara. “Did you get it all done?”
“All except the last question,” said Clara. “It’s hard. I’ll try it after tea.”
“I can help if you like,” offered Bridget.
“Thanks!” said Clara, thrilled, and she fell onto a sofa.
“Clara, sit on that properly,” said Joanna. “Should we go and eat, anyway? It’s Riley’s last day with us. I did a pizza.”
The girls cheered and they went through.
“How’s it going with Andrew?” asked Bridget, taking a slice of pizza.
“Okay,” she said shortly, which surprised Bridget a little. She normally gushed a lot.
“Have you been up to anything fun?”
“We might go for a milkshake after school,” said Clara. “I’d like to go on Saturday but Dad goes mad about it. Mum, can you pass the pizza?”
Bridget looked at Josie and she shrugged. The talk turned to Riley’s journey back, what he liked to do in Sydney, and perhaps a visit for Clara and Josie.
“I want to go to the harbour!” Josie exclaimed. “And go over the bridge!”
“You’ll definitely get to do that,” promised Riley. “Anything else?”
“Can I see where you and Bridget used to live?”
“Sure,” said Riley. “I don’t live too far away from there now.”
Josie chattered on for a while but Clara stayed quiet and looked at her plate.
“Are you okay?” asked Bridget. “You’re very quiet.”
“I’ve just got stuff on my mind,” she said, sounding like an adult.
“Like?”
“School and stuff,” she said. “My homework.”
“Let’s take a look.”
They did the sum.
“Thanks,” said Clara gratefully. “I should be able to see Andrew soon.”
“Are you both okay?”
“He’s been a bit weird lately,” said Clara. “He’s not as fun. He just said it’s school and said that unless we both got it done he couldn’t meet me ‘cause his mum wouldn’t let him. She’s as bad as mine. I’ve got a heap to do.”
“Well, don’t work too hard,” said Bridget, echoing her brother. “You’ve got a lot done already.”
“It’s the holidays soon,” said Clara happily. “He’ll be more fun then.”
Bridget smiled and wondered and they went back down.
Joanna had a surprise cake for all of them and they ate it outside, sitting on blankets to stay warm and Bridget dared to feel happy. They admired the stars and tried to find constellations but everyone was hopeless and in the end they just tried to find shapes.
“I used to do this with Didge, when she was a kid," Riley told them. “With clouds as well.”
“We do that with Dad,” said Josie.
“And Mum,” reminded Clara. “Remember, Mum? Family picnics?”
“Yes darling, I remember,” said Joanna, and she smiled sadly as she saw the hope in her daughter’s eyes. The happiness diminished slightly as Riley said his goodbyes. Josie cried a little and Clara looked as though she would and to Bridget’s horror she found a lump in her throat too.
“I’m back in a few weeks,” he reminded, sounding tearful as well. “That’s no time.”
“It’s still ages,” sniffled Josie and he hugged her and Clara, smiled at Joanna and they drove away, all of them waving.
“Josie seems a lot happier,” Riley said, sounding pleased.
“She does. Clara though..."
“What’s wrong with her? She seemed to be doing heaps better.”
“With school, yeah. But her boyfriend seems bored. I think the spark’s gone out.”
“They’re just kids. She’ll be over it in no time.”
“She’ll be so sad.”
“You’ll look after her though. We’ve sorted out one sister and we can sort out her.”
“When did I get sorted out?” asked Bridget, laughing.
“Oh, you were a lost cause,” teased Riley and she gave him a small push, and then went back to looking out of the window, trying to find more patterns in the stars.
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Post by Bee on Jun 23, 2010 13:36:47 GMT
that was great Sophie (:
cant wait for more!
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Post by sophie on Jun 24, 2010 23:33:47 GMT
Thanks!
The next morning Bridget woke at five again. Declan was still fast asleep and she got up as quietly as she could not to wake him and hurried down to the kitchen, where she quickly made India’s lunch and got some breakfast for herself. The sun rose as she ate her cereal and she smiled at the new, beautiful morning for a moment, but then quickly turned to the table where she had all her books and notes ready, which she had set up before. Bridget did some quick calculations in her head; an hour of study now, an hour before school, work, another hour of study, maybe two, get India and then go to Miranda and Steve’s to see Riley off. Bridget remembered that she was staying over again so she couldn’t do any more work after that, so she stared at her book, urging herself to wake up a bit, and to get her brain working. She was sleepy but said the information out loud and wrote them down, trying to learn them. She had used to know them, she thought irritably, but then that had been a long time ago. Motherhood and family life had got in the way and she decided that she would have to keep it up even after the baby was born. July was approaching at a frightening pace, and the summer afternoon where Theo had been born and she had thought about how far away it all was seemed like a million years ago. Where had the time gone? They would have to start shopping for the baby soon and Bridget’s mind flipped to their budget and she started jotting down numbers on a page until she realised what she was doing and went back to the books, telling herself to worry about it later. The hour went by quickly and then Bridget went to India’s room, to find her daughter lying on her back and giggling about something in her sleep.
“Wake up Indy. Was that a nice dream?”
“Yes,” said India, sitting up. “I dreamt Daddy had a secret petshop. It was so cool. He doesn’t have one really, does he?” she asked, sounding hopeful.
Bridget shook her head.
“Sorry Indy. Daddy doesn’t know anything about pets.”
“Maybe he should get a petshop to learn. Or even just a pet...?”
Bridget laughed.
“Nice try. You know we can’t afford animals.”
“If we got a dog and trained it to do tricks people would come and see it and then we’d get rich!”
“You have a very big imagination!” said Bridget, wondering where she got her ideas from. “Come on, get your dress on.”
“Yuck,” groaned India. “And I have school for another billion years!”
“Don’t be silly, of course not. You won’t go to school when you’re a grown-up.”
“A billion years!”
“Don’t be silly.”
India sighed and pulled the dress on.
The morning rushed by; Declan ran to catch the bus, giving his wife and daughter a quick kiss on the top of their heads and then India spilt her cereal over her dress, so she had to change meaning they were running late too, and in the hurry to get her there on time Bridget was completely out of breath by the time she was home and getting ready for work and the baby kicked harder than ever.
“Of all mornings!” she said to it. “Calm down a bit, please.”
But the baby kicked more and for once Bridget looked forward to next month where she would finish work for a while and wouldn’t have that on her schedule as well, but she knew, as she filed reports and checked some forms, that she would miss it all the same.
“Are you excited?” the boss asked her and Bridget smiled.
“I guess. I’m quite overwhelmed really. It was a bit of a surprise.”
Her boss smiled wonderingly and Bridget added quickly,
“A wonderful one though, of course. It’s just trying to get everything done before it comes. Her, I mean. Or him.”
“I only had one child and she’s fourteen now but I remember the feeling. I thought I would never be ready but it came together somehow.”
“I know it will,” said Bridget, trying to sound confident, and she turned back to her work and then, out of nowhere it seemed, the shift ended and she was going home. She was about to go straight into her study when she noticed her daughter’s soiled dress and she groaned and soaked it. Nothing much seemed to help and, aware of time, she threw it into the washing machine, hoping the stain would come out, and wishing that her daughter had chosen a better time to spill cereal all over it – but then when was there good time for that? There wasn't. She studied again and felt a lot better than in the morning, and then picked up India. As she turned to leave she saw Mrs Smithson with her husband and they were laughing, which Bridget had never heard her do before, but she was happy that the argument from before appeared solved. Their children ran up shrieking, happy to see their father, and Bridget was happy for them. She looked at them and smiled and then India tugged at her hand, which made Bridget aware that she was staring, so they left the Smithsons and hurried home.
“Why doesn’t Uncle Riley move here?” India asked from the backseat as they drove to Miranda and Steve’s.
“Because he lives in Sydney and that’s a very long way away.”
“He should move.” Inspiration struck India and she exclaimed, “He could run the petshop Mummy, if Daddy can’t! That would be like having a pet!”
Declan, nonplussed, stared at his wife and she explained. Declan laughed at India which annoyed her and she sulked for the rest of the journey.
“Unce Riley, you could have a petshop, couldn’t you?” she asked as soon as she saw him.
“I guess,” he said in confusion.
“It wasn’t dumb then!” she said in satisfaction to her father. “Uncle Riley can move here and get a petshop and give me a rabbit! If I can’t have a dog or a cat, I want a rabbit!”
“Leave it India,” said Bridget in a warning voice and Riley, still very confused, said,
“I don’t have a petshop Indy but Marie has a rabbit. Maybe one day you can see it.”
This thrilled India and she spent the next hour asking questions all about Button, the rabbit, which made Riley wish he could go back in time and not tell her that Marie had one.
“I’m going to try and leave early,” he told them over dinner. “It’s such a long drive.”
“Yeah, and no girlfriend for company on the way,” teased Bridet.
“Shut up Didge.”
“Don’t tell your sister to shut up!” scolded Miranda and they glared at each other as though they were children again.
All too soon the evening was over and Declan was taking India home.
“And you’ll definitely show Button to me?” she asked Riley, hugging him.
“Yes,” he sighed. “I absolutely promise. I’ll tell him you’re coming.”
“Thanks Uncle Riley!” she shrieked and progressed to talk about him to Declan the whole way home, reinforcing his decision to never buy a pet.
After they had gone Miranda, Steve and Bridget played some silly board games and looked at some old pictures.
“I’m surprised you don’t have a pet, Didge,” commented Riley. “You love animals.”
“I know, but we can’t afford one,” sighed Bridget. “Not with the baby coming, but we couldn’t afford one anyway. Maybe when the kids are older.” It felt strange to be talking about having more than one child and she had thought when she was younger that of course she would have animals when she was a grown-up. She was a vet's daughter after all.
“I reckon Indy will have a ton when she’s older,” remarked Steve.
“Probably, she’s your granddaughter!”
“And your daughter,” reminded Miranda. “You’re such a natural with animals.”
Bridget couldn’t help but hope for a pet too, but she knew it could never happen, for now at least. She thought fondly of Pouch and wondered where she was in the world, hoping she was still living. She still missed her. The next morning came too quickly and Riley was going.
“Goodbye!” said Bridget, ignoring the lump in her throat again. “Drive safely. Wear your seatbelt.”
“Ah, I’ve got all that from Mum just now!”
“It’s good advice!” argued Bridget, with her arms folded across her chest.
“And I’ve got good advice. Don’t work too hard and don’t stress. Didge, don’t look at me like that. Don’t push yourself, okay?”
“Okay,” sighed Bridget and then he was getting in the van and driving away.
“Why are older brothers like that?” Bridget asked that night, lying in bed with Declan.
“Like what?”
“So overprotective. I’m an adult.”
“He’s your big brother. Oliver’s overprotective of me and we didn’t even know each other as kids.”
“I like that he is like that,” admitted Bridget. “Riley, I mean, though I'm glad Olly is too. It’s just a bit much sometimes. I miss him already though.”
“At least he’s in the country.”
“Yeah,” said Bridget sadly. “When’s Olly coming?”
“Not till October.”
“That sucks,” said Bridget, wrinkling her nose. “I bet Chloe and Indy will be causing some mayhem.”
“They always do.”
“Do you think she’ll be an overprotective sister?”
“I know she will.”
“Having a sister is different to having a brother,” said Bridget thoughtfully, lying in Declan’s arm. “But it’s just as good.”
“I wonder what it’s like having a big sister,” said Declan.
“Me too,” said Bridget, staring at the ceiling. “I like being one. When I was younger I didn’t think that I would, but now I do. I hope India does.”
“She’ll be a great sister."
"I know. He or she will be lucky, having a big sister," said Bridget fondly.
"I know." Declan smiled. "Anyway, it’s not too long now.”
“No,” said Bridget. “It’s not.”
When Bridget glanced over she saw that he looked nervous too, which made her feel relieved, and they silently reassured each other with a kiss.
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Post by Bee on Jun 25, 2010 4:01:39 GMT
that was great Sophie (:
can't wait for more!!
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Post by sophie on Jun 28, 2010 11:04:22 GMT
Thanks!
Bridget felt sad as she sat at her books the next morning. They only had Rachel for another two days and then she would be going home again and she wasn’t sure when her next visit would be. It wasn’t as if she’d never see her again, she said to herself firmly, but it didn’t make her feel much better. She missed the days where Rachel lived next door and was always there for a talk about boys, or school or anything really. Unless they were fighting over something stupid. Bridget wished she could go back in time and tell her younger self to let it go and make up so they could have enjoyed more time as friends before she had left. Bridget glanced at the clock and her mouth fell open as she saw that fifteen minutes had gone by.
“Stop moping!” she said out loud to herself. “It’s not as if she’s dead!”
She would be spending the whole day with her as well, and the night, having a girly night in with Rachel and Donna. Then the next night they would see Rachel off at the airport again and then she would be gone, Bridget concluded glumly. So much for cheering herself up. But Rachel would come back soon, she thought firmly. She might even have had the baby. That was a daunting thought and Bridget stared at the page in an attempt to calm herself down. It was two months away, not now. So Bridget threw herself into the study, banishing thoughts of sadness and panic and then it was six o’clock and time to wake up India and say goodbye to Declan.
“Do you want to go baby shopping on Saturday?” Bridget asked as he rushed around the kitchen.
“Mm,” he said distractedly, not really listening.
“Because we should get a start. Do you think we should buy some dresses in case?”
“Mm.”
“Declan!”
“What?” he exclaimed and Bridget glared.
“You weren’t listening!”
“Yeah, well, I have to make sure I don’t miss the bus! I have to leave earlier now and what if it comes early and I miss it? I’d be stuffed!”
“Fine, sorry! I was just wondering if you wanted to go baby shopping on Saturday.”
“Yeah, sure.”
“What time?”
“Can we talk about this later?” asked Declan, wolfing down his cereal. “I can’t be late.”
"Okay," said Bridget irritably.
“Daddy, you’re naughty!” came a voice from the doorway. “You shouldn’t be eating standing up!”
“Indy, if I don’t finish breakfast right now I’d miss the bus which would be a lot more naughty.”
“But –“
“I have to run!” said Declan, dumping his bowl by the sink and making milk spill everywhere, to Bridget’s annoyance.
“Love you Didge,” he said and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. “You too Indy,” and he kissed his daughter as well and practically ran out of the door.
“Daddy spilt milk too!” said India. “He’s very naughty.”
“Yes, he is,” said Bridget irritably, who could feel herself getting into a bad mood. “Go and eat your cereal, we don’t want you to be late either.”
After Bridget dropped India off she headed home and started clearing the kitchen. Everything had seemed to have got a lot busier lately and it felt like she and Declan were only having rushed conversations right before work or right before bed. Bridget cursed her hormones as she started getting upset and as she wiped some tears from her eyes the doorbell rang.
“Didge!” exclaimed Rachel in concern as Bridget opened the door. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” sniffled Bridget. “it’s just...Declan got milk all by the sink!”
“Oh,” said Rachel. “Well, there’s no need to cry over spilt milk!” she joked feebly but it had the opposite effect as, instead of laughing or smiling, or even rolling her eyes, Bridget burst into tears, as the joke said not to.
“Didge!” Rachel felt awful and sat her down on the sofa. “What is it? I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to upset you. It wasn’t that bad a joke, was it?”
“No,” sniffled Bridget. “I’m sorry. It’s just my lousy hormones.”
“Are you sure?”
“It’s just...” Bridget hiccupped, “we’re so busy right now. And now you’re going and Riley’s gone and the next thing I know is that it will be July and the baby will come!”
“Oh, Didge. That’s not for another two months. You can get everything done before then and I’m only a phone call away.”
“You’re on the other side of the world!” exclaimed Bridget snottily and Rachel handed her a tissue. “You’re not next door anymore! It would cost me...I don’t know how much, but probably more than what I have, to come and see you! And everything felt like it was getting a bit easier before this happened,” she said looking down. “India’s a bit older now. And now we’re starting all over again. I’m not sorry I chose to keep it. I’m just worried.”
“Why?”
“Because it’s a new baby! I’ve got to keep the study up but it was hard enough even not doing any when India was a baby. I did keep it up, but I didn’t do any for the first few days and it felt like my head would explode!”
“You shouldn’t have done any.”
“No, but I’m worried I won’t find it easy to go back to. I was in school when I had India so I knew what I was doing.”
“But you’re clever Didge.”
“I was.”
“You are!”
Bridget managed a smile. “Thanks Rach. I just feel like we’re on a rollercoaster right now. I’m worried about the birth as well.”
“You’ve done it before.”
“A long time ago and Rach, it hurts like hell. I’ve forgotten but I know it did and Declan will be happy to tell you how I nearly broke his hand. I’m scared.”
“You’ll be fine,” said Rachel, squeezing her hand. “You will. I know it’s scary but you’re Didge, you’ll come through it.”
This made Bridget cry again.
“I’m sorry!” she sniffled. “If you get pregnant you’ll know what I mean about hormones.”
“No thanks,” commented Rachel. “That childbirth tape haunted me. I’d rather watch –“
“The Chainsaw Massacre over and over,” finished Bridget. “Yes, I remember you saying. You’re right though, I guess. I got through it and Jess did too. I’m pretty nervous though.”
“You’ll be fine,” Rachel said again. “What were you saying about Declan and milk anyway?”
“Oh, he spilt his cereal bowl,” said Bridget, feeling embarrassed. “I feel stupid for crying now. I was so moody this morning and I kept nagging him about shopping and he had to go to work.”
“We could do some today, if you wanted.” Rachel went through to the kitchen and picked up a cloth.
“No, it’s okay. It’s your last day!”
“Tomorrow is.”
“It’s your last day with us. You don’t want to spend it baby shopping.”
“I like shopping.” Rachel came back through. “The milk’s gone now and I’ve put on the kettle.”
“Thanks Rach!” said Bridget and to her horror she felt teary again. “Declan wasn’t listening but I was wondering if we should buy dresses. We don’t know if it’s a boy or a girl but it would be nice to have some in case. Do you think it’s a waste of money?”
“You could buy one or two. Maybe you could return them if it was a boy?”
“Not two months later I suppose.” Bridget sighed. “I guess we should wait. What time are we meeting Donna, anyway?”
“Half an hour,” said Rachel and the kettle boiled. She made some tea and came back with two cups.
“Thanks,” said Bridget, taking the cup from her. “What have you been up to anyway? Sorry to offload onto you.”
“No, that’s what I’m here for! I went out with Libby and Ben yesterday.”
“How are they?”
“Fine. Ben’s gone all dreamy over some girl in his class and Libby’s teasing him about it.”
“That sounds like Clara,” said Bridget. “Though I don’t know how much longer she’ll be with that boy.”
“How come?”
“He sounds bored. Clara said he didn’t want to meet up with her because he had too much to do.”
Rachel winced.
“Well, maybe he does!” said Bridget brightly. “I guess I shouldn’t be judging. I’ve never even met him.”
“It doesn’t sound good though,” said Rachel, drinking some tea. “Saying he has too much to do to see her at all.”
“Poor Clara. She's only twelve too. I never really liked anyone before Declan. I just had silly crushes.”
“Like...?” said Rachel slyly and Bridget went red.
“No one. No one that would have liked me back anyway. I didn’t really want a boyfriend then anyway.”
“Who?”
“Some boy on Riley’s football team. No one anything could have happened with.”
“Remember when you went out with Ringo?”
“God, that seems strange. He’s like my brother now.”
“I went out with him too, remember? It feels just as weird.”
“It’s insane,” said Bridget and they finished their tea and headed to town.
They found Donna staring at a dress in a shop window beside the cafe.
“Donna!”
No response.
“Earth to Donna,” said Bridget, poking her and she started.
“Oh. Sorry guys. I was just wishing for this,” she said sadly, staring at the dress.
“How much is it?”
“Five hundred dollars.”
“Donna!” exclaimed Bridget. “That’s insane!”
“I know. I want it.”
“That much for a dress?!”
“It’s an amazing make.”
“It’s a dress!”
“Okay,” said Rachel, before they could start arguing about fashion. “Let’s go in the cafe!”
“I know I can’t buy it,” sighed Donna. “But it’s so beautiful!”
Bridget didn’t think it was that special but decided to leave it.
“I can’t believe you’re going again,” said Donna grumpily. “It’s not fair. You should move back.”
“I can’t move back, not now anyway! But I’ll try and come back soon.”
“Theo would miss you,” added Bridget. “You’re an auntie now Kinski, you have responsibilities!”
“And I have to meet your new baby too! Theo can be friends with her or him.”
“Yeah,” said Bridget fondly. “They’ll be best mates.”
“It’s too cute!” said Donna. “If Didge has a girl, maybe they’ll fall in love one day!”
Rachel and Bridget snorted at her.
“You guys are mean,” said Donna crossly. “And you have no sense of romance. You two should be grateful I have any sense of romance left after that awful date with Josh!”
“Have you spoken to him since?”
“No. We’re both too embarrassed.”
“I’m sorry Donna,” said Bridget guiltily. “He seemed genuinely interested.”
“It’s fine,” said Donna, trying to sound cheerful. “I’ll meet someone else. It’s not your fault anyway.”
Sensing that the mood was dampening, Rachel said hastily,
“Well, what do you guys want to do anyway? We’ve got four hours before Didge has to pick up Indy.”
“What do we want to do?” echoed Bridget. “What do you want to do? “
“Yeah, it’s your last day,” agreed Donna.
“I don’t know,” said Rachel. “Let’s just hang out. It’s nice just hanging out.”
“Okay,” said Donna. “I think I need another milkshake.”
“Me too,” said Bridget. “I’m going to get chocolate.”
“I’ll get them,” said Donna and she hurried to the counter.
“I remember spending half our lives in the cafe,” said Bridget as they waited for her. “Half our school lives anyway.”
“Hey, that’s half the reason I went to school!”
Bridget laughed.
“What?” asked Donna, coming back with the drinks.
“We were just remembering school days.”
“Oh,” said Donna, wrinkling her nose. “Why?”
“School wasn’t that bad!”
“Yeah it was, and not just because of that awful dress.”
“Well, you definitely brightened yours up,” reminded Rachel. “Remember that bright red scarf?”
“The meanies wouldn’t let me wear it,” sulked Donna. “I was only trying to stand out.”
“You didn’t need a scarf for that!”
“Do you ever wish you could go back?” asked Bridget, twirling her straw round.
“No!” said Donna. “I hated school. Sitting inside all day learning about things I didn’t care about. Mainly, anyway.”
“I’m with Donna,” said Rachel. “The only thing I really miss is not having to worry about work, and I don’t even miss that that much.”
“Oh come on, it wasn’t that bad,” said Bridget earnestly. “It was fun coming here on our breaks. It was fun learning the dance for the formal – before the formal, I mean. It was fun just seeing everyone every day and hanging out at recess.”
“Yeah, okay,” conceded Rachel. “But what about sitting inside all day whilst that witch Ms Carr kept handing out detention?”
“I liked learning!”
“Geek,” teased Rachel.
“I didn’t like Ms Car though,” Bridget admitted.
“Well, no wonder,” grinned Donna. “PDA, PDA!”
“Yes, okay,” mumbled Bridget, going red. “But she was a cow.”
“You’re biased because she stopped you and Dec pashing.”
“I didn’t like her anyway!” protested Bridget. “I didn’t!”
“PDA!” chanted Rachel and Donna. “PDA, PDA!”
“Shut up!” mumbled Bridget but she was laughing as well.
“I guess some of it was okay,” admitted Rachel. “I liked being able to see everyone every day and mucking about. I liked English.”
“It was never really for me,” said Donna. “But I liked seeing everyone too. It helped me get used to everything when I first came.”
“Good old Erinsborough High, huh?” sighed Bridget. “I wonder if Indy will go there one day.”
“And Theo.”
“And the new one. God, that’s a crazy thought."
"At least Ms Carr's left. They'll be spared her."
“We probably gave her a bit of a hard time,” said Bridget.
“No, she was a cow,” contradicted Donna.
“What would you do if you could go back for a day?” asked Bridget.
“I’d wear another red scarf,” Donna said instantly. “I’d annoy Ms Carr. I’d wag a lesson. What would you guys do?”
“I don’t know,” said Rachel. “I’d just enjoy not having to do anything, I guess. And I’d wind up Zeke.”
“You still do that now!”
“Yeah, but I’d hide his pens or something.”
“Very mature,” commented Bridget.
“Okay, Miss Grown-up, what would you do?”
“I don’t know,” said Bridget thoughtfully. “I’d enjoy just being with everyone and not having to do anything or be anywhere.”
“I know what you could do,” said Donna wickedly. “You could break the PDA rule again!”
“That would be too embarrassing!”
“Oh, like you cared about that! You were always pashing! I remember setting off the siren to stop you!”
“It was a long time ago.”
“Yeah, but you haven’t changed. I can see you doing it now, pashing in the corridor and annoying Ms Carr. PDA! PDA!” she said again, and she and Donna started chanting it again until the waitress glared and they left, still giggling, and Bridget felt sixteen again.
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Post by Bee on Jun 28, 2010 11:17:56 GMT
that was great Sophie, i love the memories in your stories (:
cant wait for more
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Post by sophie on Jun 30, 2010 10:55:36 GMT
Thanks!
They wandered around the town for a while then Donna left to go and work on a design and Rachel and Bridget went to pick up India.
"How is she old enough to be in school?" said Rachel as they walked along.
"I don't know," said Bridget. "I ask that every day."
"It seems like yesterday she was born."
"I know. I still think of her as my baby."
They reached the school and Mrs Smithson was waiting for her children. Bridget saw her dab at her eye with a tissue and Jane asked, when she came out of the school with her brother,
"What's wrong Mum?"
"Nothing!" she sniffled, and she hurried the children back to their fancy car.
Rachel looked askingly at Bridget but Bridget could only shrug her shoulders. Then India came running out, her schoolbag flying out behind her, and she flew into Rachel's arms.
"Auntie Rachel!" she squealed. "You've come to pick me up!"
"Of course I did! I'm going to miss you Indy!"
"I don't want you to go," she said sadly.
"I don't either. But hey," she said brightly, "We're going to go to the park and have heaps of fun!"
"Now?"
"Now!"
India cheered and ran ahead of them, her curls bouncing, and her mother and Rachel hung back.
"Who was that woman?" asked Rachel, stepping over a crack in the pavement.
"That was Mrs Smithson."
"She didn't seem that happy."
"No," said Bridget awkwardly. "You know, I really can't stand her – she's really snobby and looks down on me and Dec, but I hope she's okay. She seemed upset the other day as well."
"I remember her," said Rachel. "You ranted about her in an e-mail once. How she brought in a hundred pink cupcakes for the school fair and all of yours had burnt, and she laughed at you."
"Yeah, that's her alright. I hope she's okay though," and Bridget added, in a lowered tone, "even if she is a total cow."
They reached the playground and India raced towards the swings.
"Wait for me!" called Rachel and she leapt onto a swing as well, and she and India tried to see who could swing highest and Bridget laughed at them.
They swung back and forth for a while and Bridget went to sit on a bench. India seemed to have endless bounds of energy but Rachel's legs began to tire and she decided to talk to Bridget.
"Okay Indy, you win!" said Rachel, slowing down. "You're a much better swinger than me!"
"Yay!" shouted India. "Do you want another go?" she asked eagerly but Rachel shook her head.
"I'm going to go and talk to your mummy for a bit. See how high you can swing."
"Okay," said India cheerfully and she resumed her swinging, kicking her legs back and forth as hard as she could.
"Are you okay?" asked Rachel, sitting down next to her.
"Yes, of course," said Bridget in surprise. "My back's just sore."
"Do you want to go back?"
"No, I'm fine. I just needed to sit down."
"Alright," said Rachel and they watched India swing as high as she could and shout happily.
"Declan would be having a heart attack," said Bridget, as they watched her. "He freaks out when she swings so high."
"That's sweet," said Rachel. "He's such a dad, isn't he? You know what I mean."
"Very protective," agreed Bridget.
"You wouldn't have thought it when we first met, would you?"
"No. He was so...." Bridget searched for the word, "not dangerous. Edgy. You felt shook up when you were with him, if that doesn't sound too cheesy. I did, anyway."
"You dragraced together. You wouldn't have done that with anyone else."
"No," agreed Bridget. "It was so stupid of us. I just felt so tired of being told what to do and what to be. I wanted to do something that wasn't me. And I suppose I wanted Declan to see that I wasn't like other girls; you know, all soppy and batting their eyelids and being all impressed that he was different."
"Didge, you didn't need to dragrace for that!"
"I know, it was stupid. But it was all of it combined. Riley had laughed at me for looking girly and Mum treated me like a six-year-old and none of the football team thought I was good enough. So I thought: I'll show them. I'm not a silly girl who can't do anything for herself."
Rachel looked thoughtful.
"I guess you're more sensitive back then," she said. "Not in a soppy way, but just that you feel more affected by what people say. If you hadn't dragraced, you know Dec wouldn't have thought any different of you."
"It was dumb," said Bridget, resting her head on her chin, "but it felt like it changed us – how we had seen each other. I don't know. It felt different after that."
"You were fearless from the start though," said Rachel.
"I guess."
They looked back at India.
"She's so fearless," said Rachel.
"I know," said Bridget. "I'm happy she is that way but I don't think I'll ever let her in a car – Declan definitely won't, anyway!"
Rachel laughed.
"We thought we were so invincible," said Bridget, but she was saying to herself really.
A little while later they took India home from the park, after some begging to stay on the swings. Declan was already there when they got back.
"Hey Dec," said Rachel.
"Heya."
"Daddy, I swung super-high!" cried India, interrupting them. "I swung so high that my feet nearly touched a cloud and I nearly went over the top!"
"What?" exclaimed Declan, looking at his wife and friend. "You let her swing that high?"
"Oh chill out, Dec!" sighed Rachel. "She was fine! Of course she wouldn't have gone over the top!"
"How was work?" asked Bridget, before an argument could break out.
"Work was work," he shrugged. "Boring!"
"Do you want a drink?"
"I'm okay, I'm going to get changed."
"I guess I should get back," said Rachel. "Susan's doing some fancy meal and she might want some help in the kitchen. Thank God her cooking is better than Karl's singing!"
"Do you have time to stay for a drink?"
"Okay," agreed Rachel and Bridget got out some cordial.
"Sorry it's a bit boring," she said bashfully. "I just feel so hot all the time and I crave cordial. I can make you something else if you like?"
"No, I'm fine. I like cordial."
"India!" called Bridget. "Come and get your cordial please!"
India raced in.
"Why are you in such a hurry, Miss?" laughed Rachel.
"Teddy's exploring a dangerous cave!"
"Really?" asked Bridget, and she Rachel tried not to laugh at her.
"Yes – it's really under my bed," she whispered, as though she was letting them in on a dark secret.
"Okay then," said Bridget and she ran back to her room.
"I would describe under her bed as a dangerous cave," remarked Bridget, as they walked into the sitting room. "The amount of stuff under it. I'm going to make her tidy it this weekend."
"I bet under your bed was just the same when you were her age."
"Mum was pretty vigilant about me tidying it, but once she said that I couldn't play footy unless it was tidy, so I chucked everything under the bed and ran out to play. Mum was so angry when I got in."
Suddenly India ran back in.
"I missed Auntie Rachel," she said. "The cave can be in here," and she started playing all round the sofa.
They finished their drinks and Rachel stood up.
"I guess I should head back now. I'll see you later Didge."
"Bye!" called India, and she hugged her, and then Bridget walked her to the door.
"Bye Dec!" Rachel called up the stairs and then she headed off.
"You're seeing Auntie Rachel later?" asked India in surprise, as Bridget came back in.
"You remember," said Bridget to her. "I'm going there this evening. To see her and Auntie Donna."
"You won't say goodnight to me again!" said India, sounding upset, and guilt swept over Bridget.
"I'll go when you're getting ready for bed, so I will really. I'll be back in the morning."
"Okay," said India in a small voice and though Bridget was there to tuck her in and put Teddy and London next to her in the bed, she still felt guilty as she left the house. Still, as she walked towards Rachel's house her spirits picked up and she felt happy as she went through the door.
"We were going to save some," said Donna guiltily when Bridget saw a nearly-empty bowls of nachos. "But we got hungry..."
"Don't worry about it. They're spicy anyway and I'm a bit off that kind of stuff."
"We can make some more," offered Donna but Rachel shook her head.
"I can do better. Susan still has her secret chocolate stash!" and she ran to fetch a bar and Bridget and Donna cheered.
"Where are they this evening anyway?" asked Bridget, breaking off a piece.
"They won free theatre tickets so they've gone to see some weird play. You know what Karl's like, he loves anything free."
"I remember very well," said Bridget. "You weren't tempted to go?"
"They only won two," said Rachel. "But no, I wasn't very disappointed!"
"Speaking of things that are free," said Donna with a rather wicked smile, "look what I got free in a chemist! They're trial packs!" and she held out three face masks.
"No way," exclaimed Bridget. "Never again!"
"Don't be such a wet blanket," scolded Donna, and she and Rachel started rubbing it over their faces. "You enjoyed it last time."
"I remember it tingling my skin."
"Which meant it was working. Your skin looked good afterwards!"
"Well anyway," said Bridget defensively, "it might not be safe for the baby."
"That's a lousy excuse." Rachel picked up the packet. "Only natural ingredients," she read out and chucked the packet at Bridget. "There. Put it on right now Parker."
"Fine," grumbled Bridget. "But I still think it's stupid."
She ate her chocolate sulkily and Donna put some music on.
"It's crazy," said Rachel. "When I come back again you might have had the baby!"
"Don't!" grimaced Bridget.
"Aren't you excited?" asked Donna in surprise.
"I am and I'm not at the same time," said Bridget. "I'm looking forward to meeting her or him and I can't wait to stop being pregnant, but I feel like I need more time. And I'm scared that I won't be any good at it again – looking after a baby."
"Of course you will!"
"I want to keep up study as well," said Bridget. "I'm going to do my best though."
"You're the most determined person I know," said Donna comfortingly.
"Well, speaking of after the baby being born, and when you stop being pregnant, I have a surprise for you!" said Rachel with a glint in her eyes.
"What?" exclaimed Bridget. "It's you who's leaving, so I should give you a present!"
"It's from me and Donna," said Rachel, giving her a colourfully wrapped package. "Go on. Open it!"
Bridget smiled nervously and ripped open the wrapping. She gasped. It was a black, sleek, dress.
"But when..?" she said softly, holding it out.
"It was the day we went shopping for outfits," burst out Donna. "When Rach had just arrived, and you couldn't find anything that fitted. And you saw that dress but you said you couldn't have it because you were pregnant."
"And we thought you could look forward to it," added Rachel. "After the baby's born and you go to a party or something you'll have a beautiful dress ready and won't have to worry about going shopping, as you hate it so much."
"I remember you chucking a sad about it," said Donna. "So now you won't have to!"
"Oh, guys!" sniffled Bridget. "It's wonderful of you!"
"It will look gorgeous on you," said Rachel firmly. "I know it will, and I want a photo!"
"You might have to wait a while!"
"You looked great right after you had Indy," contradicted Donna. "I hope I look as good if I have a baby."
"Thank you," said Bridget and she hugged them hard and put the dress carefully back in its wrapping. She had never in her life imagined getting a dress for a present.
"I don't want to get all emotional," said Rachel, and she wiped her eyes. "Let's talk about something else. Something funny."
"Like what?"
"I don't know."
"Simon told me he had a cooking disaster the other day," said Rachel. "And he set off all the smoke alarms in the entire building."
"Sounds like a normal day of cooking to me," remarked Donna.
"You and Si, eh?" said Bridget, poking her. "You can't deny it now. You're definitely together."
"I guess," said Rachel, grinning. "I don't know. It's fun not knowing."
"I wonder if I'll have romance in my life again," said Donna gloomily and Bridget threw her chocolate wrapper at her.
"Don't be dumb, of course you will. You just had one bad date."
"Josh is great, isn't he?" asked Rachel. "First he mucks round Didge and now he mucks round you."
"It wasn't like that, exactly," said Donna fairly. "I think he thought he was ready and wasn't."
Rachel and Bridget looked at each other and at Donna in surprise.
"When did you get so cool and rational?"
"I'm not!" she protested.
"Jeez, Donna, it was a compliment!"
"Well, anyway, you're lucky Didge. You're married to Declan and don't have to worry. It's very romantic."
"It can be tiring being married," argued Bridget. "And I'm happy and it was right for us but it isn't always that exciting."
"I don't even know why I'm saying it," said Donna. "I don't want to be married now – not for me, anyway. I'd like to someday."
Bridget remembered telling Rebecca that she wouldn't start a family until she was thirty. Marriage hadn't even been on the horizon.
"Shall we watch a movie anyway?" asked Rachel. "I'm sick of talking about boys."
They put on a silly comedy and then, just before she left, Bridget held out something for Rachel.
"What's this?" she said in surprise.
"From me," said Bridget.
"And this is from me," said Donna, holding out a present too.
"Guys, you didn't have to –"
"I wanted to!" said Bridget firmly and Donna agreed.
Rachel ripped open Donna's present to find a scarf.
"Designed especially for you!" Donna said and Rachel grinned and put it on. Then she opened Bridget's present and gasped happily.
"It's all of us," she exclaimed. The picture was framed and showed them the first time they had mucked about and put on face masks, back when they were teenagers.
"It's not much," said Bridget. "But I love that photo."
"It's amazing," said Rachel, and they all got teary again.
They laughed and hugged and cried a little and, to cheer themselves up, watched another comedy and it was late when Bridget went home and she carried the dress feeling sad. She tiptoed upstairs so as not to wake Declan and hung it up and then lay beside him. She woke up automatically at five and got up anyway, if anything to take her mind off things. She looked at the book but the information refused to go in and all Bridget could think about was how she was losing her friend again. She felt tired and laid her head down.
"Didge. Didge!"
"Mm," she mumbled.
"Didge, wake up!"
It was Declan.
"What time is it?" she asked in a panic.
"Six. Didge, go back to bed. I'll take Indy to school."
"The bus..."
"If I have the car I won't need the bus. You don't have work today."
"No," she agreed, sitting up and rubbing her eyes.
"Go back to bed. And Didge, please don't do any study tomorrow morning. I miss having you there when I wake up."
"Okay," she mumbled, and went back to bed, falling into a deep, dark sleep, waking up at noon. She woke with a start and the first thing she saw was the dress, which made her feel strange. It had been a beautiful present and though she knew she hadn't compromised herself really, or told herself that, Bridget still felt uncomfortable with it hanging above her, so she put it in the wardrobe.
That evening they saw Rachel off again and everyone cried.
"Please stay," begged Indy.
"You know I can't," said Rachel, and she kissed her on the head. She kissed Theo again, and hugged her brother and family and said her goodbyes to Donna and Bridget.
"I expect a new design when I get back," she said to Donna sternly.
"I'll have two," she promised.
"Bye Dec," she said to her old friend. "Look after Didge, okay?"
"You don't have to tell me that Rach. Safe journey, okay?"
"I've done it a million times."
"Promise me anyway?"
"I promise."
Bridget said goodbye to her and wiped her tears.
"Call the minute anything changes," said Rachel. "Even if it's three AM my time. I don't care."
"I will," sniffled Bridget.
"Don't get teary on me Parker, that's my job!"
They laughed and cried and Rachel boarded the flight. They waved and waved at her and Bridget felt so sad, as they left the airport, and wondered what she would do without her.
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Post by Bee on Jun 30, 2010 11:31:01 GMT
Bridget was pregnant the last time they had a 'girls night in' even if she was only just pregnant haha..
Why would Declan wake Didge up just to tell her to go back to sleep?
I still think i know what the baby is going to be (:
cant wait for more
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Post by sophie on Jun 30, 2010 11:43:19 GMT
Because it's not very comfy to sleep at your desk! haha
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Post by Bee on Jun 30, 2010 12:30:27 GMT
oooh i read that completely wrong.. i assumed she was in bed haha..
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Post by sophie on Jul 3, 2010 19:33:28 GMT
Thanks!
"Do you think it's really such a good idea that India comes shopping with us?" Declan asked the next morning as they made their way to the shops.
"We didn't have a choice, Dec. You know Mum and Dad were going to watch her until they had to do that emergency surgery. Anyway, maybe it will be good for India," continued Bridget, not sounding very sure of it. "Maybe she'll like being part of it all and help pick out things for the baby."
"I hope so," said Declan, but he didn't sound very confident. They watched their daughter race ahead with her arms outstretched. India did not enjoy going shopping and when they did she was always highly energetic, and on more than one occasion, had knocked things off shelves. Bridget still blushed when she thought back to the time India was four and had knocked something on a shelf, and it had thus caused a domino effect leading everything to fall off with a crash. Thankfully, none of it had been breakable, but Bridget had never felt so embarrassed in her life and she always dreaded it happening again and, knowing her daughter, it very well could.
"She's nearly seven," said Bridget, trying to sound more cheerful. "It's not as if she's a toddler."
"Mm," said Declan, sounding gloomy, but he linked his arm through Bridget's and smiled and they walked in silence for the rest of the way.
"Don't forget what we told you," said Bridget to India just before they entered the shop. "Stay close to me and Daddy, don't talk to any strangers and don't touch. And don't you dare run off again."
"No, Mummy," said India, looking as though butter wouldn't melt. "No, Daddy."
"I mean it, India." Bridget tried to look stern.
"I know," sighed India, and she tried to balance on one leg and nearly fell over.
"Don't play in the shop, okay?"
"We're not in the shop."
"We will be in a minute. Don't do that in there. Come on," and Bridget took India's hand too and they walked inside.
The shop was busy, as it was a Saturday, and filled with families and a few crying babies. The air-conditioning blasted out and Bridget felt rather dizzy and, with a glance to her husband, Declan seemed to be feeling the same. They went to get a trolley and India cheered and tried to clamber in.
"Don't do that!" exclaimed Bridget, and Declan lifted her back out.
"But I rode in one when I was little!" protested India.
"Yes, when you were a baby! You're too big for it now!"
"We need to put the shopping in it, and it's filled with India," added Declan, which made her laugh and stop being annoyed.
"Okay," said Bridget, taking out the list. "What should we pick up first?"
"Wow," said Declan, leaning over her shoulder. "I forgot how long that list was."
"I guess we don't need to get all of it now?" said Bridget doubtfully.
"Let's get the boring stuff first," said Declan. "Like the baby-locks and bottles and nappies."
"Okay," said Bridget, and they headed towards the baby section. It was massive and was practically two aisles wide.
"How can a baby need so much stuff?" asked India, hanging onto her mother's arm. "They just lie there and cry!"
"Babies need a lot of things. They need bottles to drink out of and nappies and toys and clothes."
"Why does a baby need a basket?" asked India, looking at the bottom of the shelf. "It doesn't go shopping!"
"That's a Moses basket, silly! It's a bed for new-born babies. I wonder if we should get one?" Bridget asked herself. "Dec!" she called, to where Declan was throwing some things into the trollley further on up the aisle.
"Yeah?" he said, coming back over.
"Should we get a Moses basket?"
"They're a bit expensive," said Declan doubtfully.
"But they're meant to be better for babies, I read that somewhere. I think we should get one," said Bridget decidedly, and as she glanced into the trolley, she exclaimed,
"Five bumper packs of nappies! We won't need that many!"
"Yeah, we will," said Declan, wrinkling his nose. "I remember too well."
"Maybe not that many today. It's taken up half the space in the trolley and how much do they cost?"
"There was a deal, buy one get the second half-price."
"But they must cost so much to start with –"
CRASH! Bridget and Declan whirled round to see India surrounded by Moses baskets.
"I was just trying to see how big it was," she said apologetically. "And if I could sit in it."
"India, what did I say?" groaned Bridget, as she and Declan went to pick them up. "No touching!"
"Sorry, Mummy," said India meekly and she helped her parents put the baskets back, and Bridget's hope that she would quietly help them shop began to vanish.
"We've got all the boring stuff!" said Declan, and he crossed it all off the list.
"Where are the baby locks?" asked Bridget, looking in the trolley and he groaned.
"I forgot. Look, you start getting toys and things and I'll go and get them."
"Okay," said Bridget, and she walked towards the more brightly coloured section of the aisle. The baby locks were in the hardware section, which was the next aisle along, and Declan headed there. She smiled at the big, cuddly looking teddies and a little toy rabbit when India's voice suddenly piped up saying,
"Mummy, can I let go of your hand?"
"I'm not so sure about that," said Bridget, looking at her. "I don't want you knocking anything else off the shelf."
"But I wouldn't!" protested India. "Can't I look for a toy for the baby?"
This pleased Bridget.
"I'll let go of your hand," she agreed, "but you have to stay near me, okay? And don't touch."
"Yes," said India happily, and she went a little further down the aisle to look at more toys.
Bridget smiled at all the sweet little toys, and picked up a spotted rattle and a teddy that shone different colours when you squeezed it. It was too cute not to buy and she held onto it. She started feeling happy, imagining them all playing with the toys as a family and showing them to the baby. India seemed so much better about it too, wanting a toy for her new brother or sister, and Bridget went into a wistful daydream of them all together enjoying a picnic at the park with the new baby – who wasn't crying – and India playing with it, whilst she and Declan relaxed. This was interrupted, however, by the sudden blaring of loud music, and it gave Bridget such a jump that she dropped the rattle and it made the appropriate noise. Embarrassed, she picked it up and replaced it, and then looked to see India staring at the toy making the noise.
"India!" exclaimed Bridget crossly.
"I didn't do it!" she blurted out, and started walking away.
"Yes you did," said Bridget angrily.
"It had a button saying try me," said India in defence. "I was only doing what the toy told me to do!"
"I told you not to touch anything!" snapped Bridget. "And I thought you were looking for a toy for your brother or sister?"
"But it's a really cool toy! It's more fun than the baby toys!" whined India. "Why can't I have a toy? We're buying toys for the baby! Why don't I get one?"
Bridget felt her peaceful fantasy crash around her.
"Don't be selfish," she said, taking her daughter's hand again. "It's your birthday in a month and you'll get lots of presents then. Your poor little brother or sister doesn't have any at all yet."
India sulked and Bridget took them away from the toy section and round to where Declan was, but he came back to the baby aisle.
"Jeez, what's that music?" he asked, wincing, as toy continued to play its tune.
"You can thank India for that," said Bridget crossly. She was about to ask Declan if he had got the locks when she glanced to her side and caught sight of some small dresses.
"It sounds like it's coming straight from hell," remarked Declan, not noticing that Bridget had stopped paying attention. She was staring at a particular dress and let go of India's hand in order to look at it properly.
"Didge?" asked Declan, looking to make sure India didn't try and climb in the trolley again. "Don't you agree? Didge?"
"Huh?" she asked, turning round and clutching the dress.
"It doesn't matter. What's that?"
"It's a baby dress!" said Bridget, looking at again. "Oh Dec, we have to get it. Look at how gorgeous it is."
"Yeah, it's cute," said Declan, looking more closely at it. "But it might not be a girl and then it's a waste of money."
"But if it is, she'll have this to wear!"
Declan sighed and his glance wandered past the dresses to some more toys.
"Look at that!" he exclaimed, forgetting the dress, and grabbing something off the shelf.
"It's a mobile," said Bridget, after she took a closer look.
"It lights up!" said Declan excitedly. "It shows different colours all across the room and it plays a tune!"
"It's cool," agreed Bridget. "But we don't need one. We've still got Indy's old one."
"But this one's better," argued Declan. "We can sell the old one and get this one."
"It's expensive," said Bridget doubtfully.
"But it's worth it! It'll calm the baby!"
"But we already have a mobile!" she said in frustration. "We don't need it! We don't have this dress," she said fondly.
"That dress is expensive too," said Declan, looking at the price tag. "All that for a baby dress?"
"But look at how cute it is," said Bridget. It had several pictures of rabbits on it and the pockets were designed like rabbits' ears.
"We could come back and buy it if the baby's a girl."
"They might have sold out," argued Bridget. "Look, there aren't many there."
"But you're assuming it's a girl," said Declan in frustration. "A mobile is unisex. It's a bit more expensive but it's a lot better."
"But India's mobile is just as good," said Bridget, holding the dress protectively. "We can't afford both, but if we bought the dress we'd have more money left over."
"And if it's a boy it's a waste of money!"
"I can give it to Rachel and Donna one day," said Bridget firmly. "If they have a girl. Or if Zeke has a daughter someday."
"Yeah, but that could be ten years from now, if ever!"
"I just really want the dress," said Bridget weakly, even though she knew she was being a little unreasonable. Declan sighed but they were saved from arguing some more by India saying,
"Can I have this?"
She had picked the teddy out from the trolley.
"No!" said Bridget and Declan together and she dropped it back moodily.
"I'm bored," she whined. "I'm bored, I'm bored, I'm boredddddd!"
"India, stop whinging!" snapped Bridget and she groaned and sat down on the floor.
"My feet ache and I'm hungry."
"Look, let's just buy the stuff," said Declan. "It's lunchtime anyway."
"Okay," said Bridget, feeling miserable, and she sadly replaced the dress and he the mobile and they bought their wares and left with several bulging bags.
It was warm and sunny when they left and, though it wasn't too far back, Bridget sat down on a bench by a park.
"Can we sit for a minute?" she asked apologetically. "My back's sore."
"Are you okay?" asked Declan anxiously. "It's not anything happening, is it?"
"Of course not," said Bridget firmly. "It's not even Braxton hicks. It's just tiring being this far along."
"Daddy, can I have a fairy-floss?" exclaimed India, seeing a van that was selling some.
"I don't know, Indy," he said doubtfully.
"Pleasseee?" begged India and she smiled at her father, blinking her eyes and he felt inside his pocket for some change.
"Dec, are you sure we can afford that?" hissed Bridget.
"They're not very expensive," said Declan. "We hardly ever buy them anyway."
"Oh, okay," sighed Bridget and India squeaked happily when her father bought one and gave it to her.
"Thanks Daddy!"
"I left something in the shop," remembered Declan.
"What?"
"Just my jacket."
"Did you have one?" she called but he was already walking back.
"Do you want some?" asked India, offering her fairy-floss.
"No, thank you Indy."
India finished it and hurried into the playground briefly. Bridget felt slightly annoyed. India was such a daddy's girl, always getting Declan to treat her more by being cute. Not that he spoilt her but he was a lot more relaxed about buying her lollies than Bridget was and did she really deserve fairy floss?
"Did she deserve that fairy floss?" asked Bridget irritably when Declan returned, echoing the thoughts in her head. "She was being naughty before."
"I think she was feeling left out."
"Yes, but we can't treat her every time she acts up about it," sighed Bridget, and then her eyes fell onto the bag that she hadn't noticed Declan was carrying.
"What's that?"
Declan silently lifted out the rabbit dress.
"Oh, you didn't have to!" exclaimed Bridget, and she wrapped him into a hug. "You were right, really. It is too much for what it is."
"But you love it," said Declan. "And I like making both my girls happy."
"You're the best husband ever," said Bridget, her heart swelling, and she gave him a kiss.
"I'd never expect you to be so happy about a dress," he laughed and India ran back, and they made their way home.
That night Bridget sat and watched some television whilst Declan cooked and silently India came and snuggled up next to her.
"Hello," said Bridget, and she gave her a cuddle.
"I'm sorry I was naughty before," said India quietly.
"It's okay. You're not feeling left out, are you?" asked Bridget anxiously.
"No. I was just bored of the shop."
"Good. Because I love you just as much," said Bridget, kissing the top of her head. India was very much a daddy's girl but she knew their relationship was equally as special, and just as important.
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Post by Bee on Jul 4, 2010 8:10:17 GMT
that was great Sophie!! cant wait for more!!
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Post by sophie on Jul 7, 2010 11:39:06 GMT
Thanks!
Bridget woke up early on Sunday morning and opened and shut her eyes a few times. She was still sleepy. The light was making patterns across the carpet and she watched them for a while, her mind drifting over things, but she wasn’t thinking too seriously. That was the best part of Sunday morning, Bridget thought. She glanced at the clock and saw that it was six, and wondered briefly about getting up and doing work whilst the house was so quiet, but it seemed to go against the unspoken rule of a Sunday. They always lay in bed. Bridget wondered what everyone else was doing; still in bed she supposed. She wondered how her brother was, and how he always liked to get up early, even if it was Sunday. She wondered if he still did it now. Probably. But there was Marie now. Bridget’s mind wandered to her sisters and she suspected they were both fast asleep still, like most people at this time. She hadnt seen them since Riley had left, and Declan hadn’t seen them in weeks. This felt wrong and she shifted a little, making Declan stir.
“Hey,” he said. “Don’t get up.”
“I wasn’t going to,” assured Bridget.
“Good,” said Declan and his eyes drifted back shut.
“Good morning to you too!” laughed Bridget.
“Huh?” he mumbled sleepily.
“Nothing. Go back to sleep.”
“Mm.” Declan already was, but Bridget wasn’t annoyed. She lay still, thinking about her half-sisters and Joanna and Declan, and whether or not she should suggest them coming round again. They should, she thought, but she wondered if Declan would still find it hard. Well, he didn’t have to be there. She decided to worry about it later in the day – for now, in the half-light, she lay and enjoyed the morning. She let her eyes shut for a moment too and then it was eight o’clock and Declan who woke her and getting out of bed.
“Where are you going?” she asked, pulling him back. “It’s Sunday morning!”
“I was going to make pancakes.”
“But it’s so early. It’s only six o’clock.”
“Didge,” laughed Declan. “It’s eight!”
“But...” she said, confused, and trailed off.
“You were asleep. You’ve been asleep for ages. I didn’t wake you.”
“No, I woke up at six,” she contradicted. “And I woke you up!”
“You were dreaming!” contradicted Declan.
“I was not!” protested Bridget.
“Was too.”
“Was not.”
“Was too.”
“Was – oh, forget it. I know I’m right. Anyway,” said Bridget, with a grin, “India’s still asleep. Don’t get up.”
Declan grinned too and let her pull him back and then a while later he finally said,
“I guess we should have breakfast now.”
“Still pancakes?”
“Yeah!”
“I can’t believe Indy’s still not up,” said Bridget, sitting up and pulling her top back on.
“I know.” Declan got up and pulled her up too. “It’s weird. Maybe she ran out of energy for once.”
“I wouldn’t bet on that,” said Bridget, but it was odd. India was normally such an early riser.
“I’ll get her up now,” she said, as she turned to go to her daughter’s room whilst her husband went to the kitchen.
“Indy?” said Bridget softly. She was curled up under the covers. “It’s time to get up now.”
There was no movement and, worried, she pulled the doonah back to reveal some stuffed toys underneath and before real worry could hit her she heard a yell of,
“INDIA!” and she went down as quickly as she could, to find India standing in the kitchen surrounded by three broken eggs (only one had made it into the bowl) and a mound of flour, including a dusting on her face, which made her look like a ghost.
“What were you doing?” cried Bridget, grabbing a cloth and wiping her daughter’s face clean. “You know you’re not allowed to cook!”
“I wanted pancakes!” said India, squirming away from the wiping. “And you weren’t awake! I was going to make them for everyone for a treat.” Her face fell as she saw her parents’ annoyed expressions.
“I was going to make pancakes,” said Declan. “And you’ve used three eggs...”
“You were asleep!” India looked dangerously close to tears. “It was a surprise!”
“Okay,” said Bridget. “You were just trying to do something kind. But you know you mustn’t try and cook. That’s the rule.”
“Am I in trouble?” India’s chin wobbled.
“Not this time,” said Bridget, and she gave India a hug, causing her pyjama top to get covered in flour too.
“How about I make us some real pancakes?” asked Declan. “India, help me clear this us and we’ll have some proper breakfast, okay?”
“Okay,” said India, grinning, and she jumped up and helped her father to clean and make pancake mix, and she and Declan cheered when Bridget managed to flip a pancake in the pan.
“Dad taught me to do that,” she said, flushing a little. “When Mum let him near the frying pan!”
“Let me try,” begged India and Bridget helped India hold the pan, and they flipped it together and India squeaked happily when it landed back in the pan.
“You’ve inherited the talent!” Bridget told her.
“I bet I can do it,” said Declan, and he took the pan, but his pancake got stuck to the ceiling and they laughed at him. He poured more mixture in the pan to make another and Bridget watched her husband and daughter happily, and hoped everyone was having so good a morning. She thought back to her sisters and birth-mother again, and it must have shown on her face, because Declan asked,
“What is it?”
“Huh?” said Bridget, blinking. “Oh, nothing. I was just daydreaming.”
“Here’s your pancake, anyway,” said Declan, and he tipped it onto her plate. Bridget continued to think about them but not as seriously as before, as she laughed at India trying to cut her pancake into shapes and then at Declan chasing her round the table.
“You’re got that look again,” Declan told her as she got dressed.
“What look?” she asked as she pulled on her shirt.
“The look you have when you have something on your mind.”
Didge bit her lip.
“I knew it! What is it?”
“We haven’t seen Joanna and the girls for ages.”
“You saw them last week.”
“Yes, I did, but that’s just me, not us. You haven’t.”
“I suppose,” he said gruffly.
“Do you ever want to see them again?” she asked.
“Didge!”
“That came out wrong,” she said, sitting on the bed. “I didn’t mean that you should feel bad about it, or that you should have to see them again if it’s still hard for you. It’s just that they haven’t been here for a while and I thought maybe they could come round for a meal or something. But I won’t invite them if you don’t want them to come over.”
“I’m fine with Josie and Clara,” he said shortly. “And you can invite Joanna if you like.”
“Dec, I won’t invite her if it’s hard for you.”
“It will be a bit,” he said. “But you should still invite her.”
“I don’t want a repeat of last time.”
“There won’t be a repeat of last time,” he said in frustration and Bridget felt guilty.
“I’m sorry,” she said. “I’m not trying to say that you wouldn’t be able to deal with it – I just know that it’s still hard. Will you always find it hard?”
Declan shrugged his shoulders.
“Are you sure?” she said again. “About them coming over again.”
“It’s my problem,” he said shortly. “I don’t want you to stop having them over just because of me. Maybe it’ll help if they do. I don’t know.”
“I know that you’re great,” said Bridget and she hugged him.
So on Wednesday evening Joanna, Josie and Clara came over for dinner.
“Hi guys,” said Bridget, hugging them. “How was your weekend?”
“Dad took us to the cinema!”
“Was it a good movie?”
“Yeah,” said Josie, and she proceeded to tell Bridget all about it, with Clara adding to the conversation if she felt that Josie had left something out. Declan and Joanna looked awkwardly at each other.
“Thank you for having us,” she said, looking down.
“You’re Didge’s guests, really.”
“Yes, but you –“ she caught herself. “Thanks.”
Declan gathered what she meant but didn’t discuss it.
“It’s okay,” he said shortly. “Here, I’ll take your coat.”
“Thank you,” she said, smiled and they all headed to the sitting room.
“It’s rained for ages,” fretted Josie. “And it’s cold.”
“It’s nearly winter,” said Clara in a withering voice.
“Clara, don’t be so rude,” admonished Joanna and she scowled a little. Bridget looked at Joanna when Clara looked away but she only shook her head.
“Aren’t you cold?” Josie asked Bridget, who was sitting with only a loose cardigan over her T-shirt.
“No, not really. You feel hotter when you’re pregnant – I’m glad it’s not summer.”
“I feel cold!” said India, clutching Teddy and London. “Mummy’s silly!”
“India, Mummy’s not silly,” said Declan sternly. “She feels the heat more than you at the moment.”
“Did you know Rachel said it wasn’t that much warmer where she was?” Bridget said to him. “I don’t think I could live there.”
“I wish I did,” said Clara shortly but she didn’t elaborate and Joanna sighed.
“What’s wrong with Clara?” asked Bridget, when she went to get some drinks, and Joanna had insisted on helping.
“I don’t know. She won’t talk to me about it properly. Some sort of row with her boyfriend. Teenage love,” Joanna sighed. “And she’s not even a real teenager yet.”
“Oh,” said Bridget, and they took the drinks through. Declan looked grateful to take his, as Josie had asked him to try and plait her hair, and he was too polite to decline.
“Sorry Josie, it’s too curly,” he said.
“And it’s too short,” added Clara. “Of course it wouldn’t plait.”
“Well, your hair’s long,” shot back Josie. “Why don’t you get him to do yours?”
“Because it’s too curly,” snapped Clara. “And I’m not a baby. Though maybe if Mum and Dad bought me hair straighteners I could actually do something with it!”
“Clara Hale, that’s enough,” said Joanna angrily. “This is not the time for you to be rude.”
“When is a time?” she asked snottily.
“Don’t you dare push it.”
Bridget felt uncomfortable. Josie was looking excitedly at the row and India was looking at them open-mouthed. Joanna caught sight of their faces and looked sheepish.
“Sorry everyone.
“I’m sorry too,” said Clara half-heartedly but Joanna decided to leave it.
“I’m going to go and check on the food,” said Bridget, and Declan helped her up and they went through to the kitchen.
“You could cut the tension between them with a knife,” he remarked.
“God, I know. Poor Joanna.”
“I feel a bit bad for her too,” he admitted.
“Well, the food looks ready now anyway,” said Bridget, and she called to the others that it was time to eat.
“It’s wonderful food, Bridget,” said Joanna.
“Declan cooked it.”
“A man of many talents then!” said Joanna and he looked embarrassed.
“He just doesn’t like to admit it," said Bridget, poking him. "He gets shy.”
“Daddy got a pancake stuck on the ceiling on Sunday,” remarked India, and they all laughed, and everyone seemed much happier.
“Josie tried flipping pancakes once,” said Clara, giggling. “And one got stuck on the ceiling, one went on the floor and one was perfect.”
“And she ate it!” shouted Josie, and they all laughed again.
“Mummy can flip pancakes,” said India admiringly.
“Really?” said Joanna. “Your dad was ace at that too.”
“My dad taught me to do it,” said Bridget shortly. “I couldn’t do it until he showed me.”
“Oh,” said Joanna guiltily and everyone felt uncomfortable again. Bridget stared at her plate, cutting her food into as many chunks as she could, trying to fight back tears, and Declan couldn’t help but glare at Joanna a little.
“I’m sorry,” she said tentatively.
“No,” said Bridget, looking up again. “It’s nothing to be sorry for.”
“Well,” said Joanna, looking down again, feeling Declan’s annoyance still. “How was your weekend? I’m sorry, I forgot to ask.”
“We went shopping for the baby,” said Bridget, and the conversation turned to that, and when her maternity leave would start, and the atmosphere felt bearable again.
“It’s beautiful,” said Joanna, admiringly when they showed the nursery to her. India hung back in the doorway sucking her thumb. The cot was in there now – almost complete except for the sheets – and the mobile hung above. The teddy sat in the corner of the cot and the rocking-chair from India’s nursery sat in the corner.
“It’s a start on it anyway,” said Bridget.
“It’s wonderful,” she said again. She hesitated and then said,
“Well, I guess we should get back. These two need to finish off their homework.”
“Oh, Mum,” groaned Josie.
“Yes, you do. The sooner you do it the sooner it’s done. Thank you for the meal, Bridget – well, I suppose I should be thanking you, Declan, as you cooked it.”
“Didge arranged it all,” he said shortly. “I didn’t mind helping out.”
Bridget sighed a little but then she hugged them all goodbye.
“I wish I was you,” mumbled Clara into Bridget’s front when everyone else was outside.
“Me?” said Bridget in surprise. “Why?”
Clara shrugged.
“Clara, are you okay?”
She shrugged again but before Bridget could get anything more from her Joanna was calling her and Bridget waved them goodbye.
“Thank you,” said Bridget, after they had gone. She hugged Declan hard and gave him a kiss.
"You were wonderful," she told him.
“It was still weird,” he said honestly.
“I know.”
“But it was okay, I guess.”
“I know,” she said. She cuddled India as well when she came in and as she stroked her daughter’s hair she hoped Clara was okay, and she missed Sunday morning.
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Post by smilelino on Jul 7, 2010 14:01:39 GMT
Great update. Good on Declan for working so hard to be ok. Thanks and i can't wait to read more.
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Post by Bee on Jul 8, 2010 2:21:02 GMT
that was great Sophie!! cant wait for more!!
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