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Post by sophie on Apr 7, 2010 20:31:19 GMT
Thanks!
Bridget, wishing she didn't have to work, drove India to her mother's.
"You be a good girl," she called over her shoulder to where India was sitting, "and I'll pick you up in a few hours."
"Yes Mummy," said India patiently and she read her book but she quickly got bored with it and started tossing it up and down.
"Don't do that."
"Why?"
"It's distracting. And you should read your book, not play with it."
"Daddy never reads his books."
"When have you seen Daddy with a book?"
"He didn't read at the play centre," India said smugly.
"Because he was keeping an eye on you."
"But Mummy, Daddy said he didn't like his book anyway."
"Then he shouldn't have brought it."
"Naughty Daddy!" shrieked India and for some reason she found it very funny and laughed for the rest of the journey. Children could be very odd sometimes, Bridget thought.
They pulled up to the house and Bridget got India out of the car and rang on the bell. A little while later Miranda opened it wearing some gardening gloves and looking a little out of breath.
"Sorry," she said. "I was out the back."
"That's okay. Thanks for looking after her Mum!"
"I like looking after her." Miranda gave her and India a hug. "I hope work goes okay."
Bridget pulled a face.
"Thanks. I'm sure it will be fine, just very boring!"
"Mummy, do you have to go to work?" asked India. "Should I go to work?"
"No, you're too little. But I have to go today."
"I'll see you in a few hours darling." Miranda gave her a quick kiss.
"Thanks Mum. Now you behave yourself," Bridget told India, "and be a good girl for your nan."
"I'm always a good girl!" India exclaimed and Bridget raised her eyebrows.
"I hope you are today. I'll see you this afternoon, okay? Have a nice day with Nan."
"Bye Mummy!" India waved goodbye and Bridget drove to work, wishing she could spend the day with them. She was driving in the bigger car and was glad they were keeping it but felt sad that the smaller one had to go, necessary as it was. Still, Bridget told herself, it didn't have to be sold quite yet and she decided not think about it that day.
"Now, what would you like to do?" asked Miranda brightly. "I was working out the back before, shall we finish up that?"
"Okay."
Miranda and India went outside where Miranda had been planting some seeds.
"Do you want to help me dig?"
"Okay."
So Miranda gave her a trowel and India happily dug for a while and they finished the planting.
"There's a worm!" India exclaimed happily and Miranda shrieked,
"Don't touch it!" but India had already picked it up and was looking at it curiously.
"Is it going to make me sick? Am I going to die?" India cried. She dropped the worm and looked ready to bawl and Miranda felt guilty for shouting.
"No, of course not. It's just a bit dirty but it can't hurt you. No, don't pick it up again," as India bent down to retrieve it.
"Can't I keep him for a pet? I want a pet. I'd call him Squirmy."
"You can't have worms for pets."
"Why not?"
"You just can't. They live outside. Come on, let's wash your hands. It's time for lunch anyway."
"Bye-bye Squirmy," said India mournfully as Miranda got the gardening tools and hurried her inside. She remembered the time Riley had cruelly shoved three worms down his sister's neck and instead of crying Bridget had grabbed five worms and done it back. Riley had shouted and Miranda was horrified with both of them and made them shower and change their clothes.
"Is it true that if you cut a worm in half it will make two worms?"
"I don't know."
"Can we try and find out?" asked India eagerly.
"No. And you wouldn't want to do that to Squirmy anyway, it might hurt him."
"I wouldn't hurt Squirmy," agreed India and to Miranda's immense relief worms seem to go off her mind. She shuddered a little – Miranda hated bugs and garden creatures.
After washing her granddaughter's hands several times Miranda made some lunch.
"Now then," she said to India, "your mummy told me you weren't very happy the other night."
India shrugged and looked down at her plate.
"What was that about?"
"The baby," India mumbled.
"Why were you upset about that? Don't you think it's exciting?"
"No."
"But you'll have a little brother or sister!"
"I don't want one."
"But it's nice."
"What about your sister?" India pointed out. She didn't know very much about Nicola except that she was Miranda's sister after seeing her in a photo once. "You don't talk about her much."
"Well..." Miranda was caught off guard. "I love my sister," she said eventually. "She's ill and doesn't want to see me much but I still love her. We had fun when we were kids. We could share things and play games together."
"Mummy and Daddy won't play games with me. Lydia has a baby brother and her mummy and daddy are always playing with him, she says. Lydia knows."
"A new baby needs lots of attention but Lydia's mummy and daddy still love her. I'm sure they still play with her, just not all the time. They will more when her little brother's older."
"Maybe." India didn't sound certain.
"Oh, they will," said Miranda assuredly and she gave India a chuck under the chin. "We had to pay you a lot of attention when you were a baby. You shouted a lot."
"Why was I shouting?"
"Well, you were crying very loudly. Babies can't talk so they have to cry to let you know they want something and you seemed to have a lot to say."
That made India giggle and she seemed to cheer up a little.
"They'll still play with you and love you just as much," Miranda promised. "Now, what do you want to do this afternoon?"
"I don't know."
"Well, there's lots of things to do," said Miranda thoughtfully. "We could do some reading."
"I left my book in Mummy's car."
"Oh. Well I have some books here."
"I don't really feel like reading," India admitted.
"Oh."
"Can we make something?"
"I don't really have much making stuff." Miranda thought. "I know!" she said, the answer coming to her, "we can cook something! Why don't we make some biscuits as a present for your mummy?"
"Yeah!" India jumped up looking eager and Miranda was pleased to have come up with something good to do. She double-checked that she had all the ingredients and then tied a big apron around India.
"You look like a chef," she told her.
"What's a chef?"
"An important cook."
They made the mixture and stirred it, with occasional help from India's fingers and then put the biscuits in the oven. India was impatient and danced around the kitchen.
"They're not going to be ready for a while and then they have to cool down," Miranda told her. "Let's go and do something else for a bit."
So Miranda got India some pictures to colour and then, as the biscuits cooled, they cleared up the cooking things and India got to 'clean' the bowl with a spoon.
"Look!" she shouted and Miranda turned to see that she had smeared the cooking mixture in patterns across her face and she laughed and wiped it off.
Bridget pulled up and Miranda put the biscuits in a plastic box.
"Was she good?" Bridget asked.
"Very good, weren't you?" Miranda said to India and she nodded. "How was work?"
"Fine. Boring!"
"We made some biscuits!" said India and she showed her the box and Bridget exclaimed,
"You and Nan did a very good job. Now say goodbye and thank you."
"Bye-bye Nan." India hugged her. "Thanks."
"You're welcome darling!"
"Mummy, can we get a worm?"
"No. Why do you want a worm?"
"For a pet. I couldn't have Squirmy," said India sadly and Bridget felt very confused.
"They're lovely biscuits," said Bridget, hoping to sound convincing. Maybe Miranda had mixed up the recipe as they tasted very odd. India looked mischievous.
"I put salt in them!" she announced, "when Nan wasn't looking! It's a surprise!"
"Well, I certainly am surprised!" Bridget said truthfully. "You didn't put anything else in there did you?" she asked, worried, the thought occurring to her.
"No."
"Good. Declan, I think you need to try one," said Bridget to her husband when she saw him laughing at her.
"No I don't," Declan said quickly. "I think you should enjoy them all."
"But I've had so many," said Bridget sweetly, "and India made them!"
"Please Daddy?" asked India. "I was a chef!"
Declan guiltily took one. Bridget laughed at his face after he tasted it.
"Doesn't it taste nice?" asked India.
"Well, salt doesn't really go in biscuits," Bridget told her, "So you mustn't do that again. But you cooked them very well all the same. I think the baby is pleased as well."
India looked confused.
"Well, the baby's in my tummy so he or she eats what I eat too."
India looked at her mother's stomach.
"You are a very, very naughty baby," she said sternly, "for eating all of Mummy's biscuits!"
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Post by Bee on Apr 8, 2010 12:03:07 GMT
haha squirmy the worm...that got a few laughs out of me!!
love love love it Sophie
cannot wait for more!!
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Post by sophie on Apr 10, 2010 19:24:19 GMT
Thanks Lia!
Rachel was going home on Saturday but that day she was looking after India.
“So,” she said to India when Bridget had left for work, “what do you want to do?”
“I don’t know.”
“Painting?”
“I don’t want to paint.”
“Drawing?”
“No.”
“Reading?”
“I don’t want to do that either.”
Rachel was running out of ideas. It was raining that day so she couldn’t do anything outside with her.
“Can I watch television?”
“You know you’re not allowed to watch TV before your show’s on.”
India stuck out her bottom lip and looked fed up.
“Auntie Rachel, I’m bored.”
“Well, you haven’t wanted to do anything I’ve thought of so far.”
India looked down and sat thoughtfully for a moment.
“Do you have to go back to England?”
“Yes, sweetheart. That’s where I live now.”
“But you used to live here.”
“You can live in more in one place. I have two homes. But it makes it more special when I can back.”
“I guess,” said India in a small voice and Rachel felt a lump come into her throat.
“I’ll try and come back more. I miss you and your mummy and daddy a lot.”
“We miss you too,” said India. “Will the baby be born when you next come back?”
“No, I’ll come back before then,” Rachel promised. “You know the baby won’t be born until July.”
“Everything’s about the baby,” India sighed. She seemed to be in a rather bad mood.
“No it’s not.”
“Yes it is!”
“Everyone is excited about the baby because we’re looking forward to meeting him or her. And then it will need a lot of attention.”
“I know,” India sulked.
“You’re not jealous are you? You’ll be a big sister!”
“Big deal!”
“India Napier!” said Rachel, shocked. “Don’t you dare be so rude!”
India couldn’t bear having Rachel angry with her and she burst into tears.
“All right,” soothed Rachel.
“I’m sorry,” sobbed India.
“I know. I know you are. It’s okay.”
“But everyone says I should be excited,” India managed to sob out, “and it doesn’t sound special. You just get to help with the baby and babies are ugly and they cry and everyone talks about how cute they are!”
“But Indy, you’ll be very important to the baby and not because you’ll be helping out. They’ll look up to you and think you’re very important.”
“Ally says her big sister smells.”
“Well, I’m sure Ally still looks up to her,” said Rachel doubtfully. “You know India, I’m a big sister. Zeke is my little brother.”
“Were you happy when he was born?”
“I can’t remember it. I was too little. I have a big sister though and she was a lot older than us and Zeke and I thought she was very important. She taught us a lot of things. How about that India? You can join the big sister club.”
“I don’t know,” said India but she had stopped crying.
“It makes you very important,” Rachel told her and that made India smile.
“Can you tell me a story?”
“What kind of story?”
“One about you and Mummy when you were kids.”
“All right.” Rachel thought for a moment and finally told her about how she had helped Bridget get ready to go out with Declan for the first time.
“She didn’t like anything, but she wore a pretty dress in the end.”
“She wore a dress?”
“Eventually. And she was nervous.”
“Nervous of Daddy?”
“Not frightened of him. Just nervous of liking him.”
“Well, that’s silly!”
“You’ll understand when you’re older.”
India hated it when adults said that.
“Why?”
“Well, she was worried he didn’t like her back.”
“Mummy was silly! She had a nice time, didn’t she?”
“In the end.” Rachel decided to save the rest of that story for another time.
Bridget came back from work at four o’clock.
“Hello you two!” she said as India hugged around the waist. “Not so hard, sweetie.”
“Mummy, you were silly.”
“When?”
“When you went out with Daddy and got nervous.”
“How do you know about that?”
“We took a trip down memory lane,” Rachel admitted, coming out of the sitting room.
“Oh really? Well I’ll tell you something Indy, your daddy was very nervous too.”
“Why?”
“For the same reason I was.”
“You’re both very silly!” India said to her mother, sounding very sure of herself.
“Speaking of memory lane, do you remember when there was that PDA ban at school? Because of me and Dec?” asked Bridget and Rachel laughed. They talked about that and then went into other stories and India, feeling left out, agreed and said,
“Oh yes, I remember that too.”
Rachel and Bridget stopped talking and laughed at her.
“You can’t remember that sweetheart,” said Bridget. “You weren’t born then.”
India felt annoyed and ran into her bedroom.
"I do remember it!" she shouted.
“She was a bit upset about the baby earlier,” said Rachel.
“Still,” sighed Bridget. “I’m trying to get her to come round.”
“Well, I told her she’d like being a big sister. Don’t feel so bad Bridget – it can take kids years to like their siblings! Oh – not that I think it will take India years...”
“Great,” grimaced Bridget. “With our luck we’ll have two children who hate each other’s guts!”
“No, you won’t! Anyway, Zeke and I used to say we hated each other but we didn’t mean it. And don’t they say children with bigger age gaps get along better? Less competition or something?”
“I hope so! I hope they get along. Though Riley’s quite a bit older than me and we had some real fights and they happened very often.”
“But you still loved each other, didn’t you?”
“Yeah, not that we’d ever have admitted it. We always looked after each other though.”
“Well then. India and the new one will love each other too.”
Bridget smiled and felt slightly more hopeful.
“Declan gets on with Oliver, but then he didn’t know him growing up.”
“Well, he wasn’t thrilled finding out about him at first was he?” Rachel remembered. “But he ended up happy.”
“Declan wasn’t six years old though.”
“Don’t stress about it Didge, please. She’ll probably be the happiest kid alive when the baby’s born...near that anyway. And speaking of Declan...”
“Yes?”
“Have you talked to him yet?”
Bridget looked down.
“Didge!”
“It’ll sound so bad,” she said. “I know it will. I’ll sound worse than I feel or it’ll come out like I don’t want to be married to him...”
“Oh Bridget, you don’t give Declan enough credit. He loves you more than anything. It didn’t sound like that when you said it to me and it won’t when you say it to him. Declan can be a tool sometimes but he’s very understanding. When it comes to you he is anyway. Please talk to him about it. It’s not good to keep it to yourself.”
“I told you.”
“But Didge, I’m not married to you, tempting though it is,” she said, joking a little and Bridget smiled. “You can tell me anything and I’m so happy you do but I’m in England. And you’re in Australia and you’re married to Declan and living your life with him. Please talk to him about it. Oh, Didge, don’t cry.”
“I feel so bad for it,” Bridget sobbed a little.
“Why? There’s nothing shameful with feeling stressed sometimes.”
“I know,” said Bridget. “Sorry for crying.”
“Stop apologising! Come on Parker, hold your head up! Where’s that Dingo spirit?”
Bridget burst into laughter. “Oh, as if you know anything about the Dingoes! You hate sport!”
“But I do a damn good pep talk, don’t I?” Rachel demanded.
“Yes, you do,” Bridget agreed. “I wish you could stay longer. Stay for dinner!”
“Didge I can’t. I’m going out with Karl, Susan and Zeke. But you’ll see me before I go.”
“Yes, I know. Oh hello,” as India came back from her room. “Cheered up?”
“I s'pose. Mummy, can the baby go to England with Rachel for a holiday? After it’s born?”
“Nice try,” laughed Bridget.
“I think the baby would need your help,” Rachel added.
“Yes,” agreed India proudly. “I’ll have to teach it a lot!”
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Post by Bee on Apr 12, 2010 8:19:57 GMT
thats great sophie..i finally had a chance to read it!!
cant wait for more!!
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Post by sophie on Apr 12, 2010 9:39:01 GMT
After dropping India off at Rebecca's the next morning, Bridget waited for Riley. They were going to Joanna's again that day so that Riley could get to know Josie and Clara a little. Riley tooted his horn, making Bridget jump. She ran out to meet him at the van.
"You can come inside for a cup of tea if you want," she said. "We have a little time."
Riley looked at his watch and agreed.
"I guess it is a little early," he said. "I was so paranoid about being late."
He followed his sister up the path and into the little house and then nearly fell over a rollerskate that was sticking out from a pile of shoes. "Are you okay? Sorry! India should have put those away better. She was skating this morning before she went to Rebecca's."
"It's okay."
"She's pretty good on them now. Doesn't fall over much."
"That's my niece," Riley agreed and Bridget made the tea.
"Do you think they'll like me?" Riley asked nervously. "I didn't traumatise them or anything after I yelled last week, did I?"
"Of course you didn't."
"What are they like?"
"You'll see for yourself. They're just everyday ten and twelve-year-olds. Well – they're very individual as well. They're just nice kids really, even if they squabble a bit."
"Good."
"Stop worrying Riley! It'll be fine!"
"Do you think they'll like having me for a brother?"
"Why wouldn't they? You can be a pain sometimes but on the whole you're a great brother."
"Oh thanks!" laughed Riley and they finished their drinks and went back to the van.
"Whenever we sit in here," said Bridget, staring out of the window, "I feel twelve years old again and I think you're eighteen and have just got your license, and have taken me on a privileged drive."
"Those were fun, weren't they?"
"Fun until you said I was being annoying and would drive me back! But yeah, they were good times."
They reached Joanna's house.
"Hello," she said nervously when she opened the door. "Hello Riley."
"Hello," he said quietly.
"Where are the girls?" asked Bridget, to break the ice.
"They've just gone to the shop to buy some milk but they'll be back any minute. Would you like a drink of anything?"
"We're okay thanks."
"All right." Joanna looked down at her hands. Suddenly she seemed to remember something and she groaned.
"What is it?" asked Bridget.
"I've just remembered I have to go and post some orders from clients before twelve. Oh, how could I forget that?"
"Do you want us to do it?" offered Bridget.
"No, no, I'll go. I'm sorry – I feel really rude."
"It's fine."
"Well, why don't you go and wait for Josie and Clara? They won't be long."
"Okay."
"See you later then" said Joanna and she headed off.
Bridget and Riley felt a little uneasy and awkward.
"I guess we should go and sit down," Bridget said.
They sat down awkwardly on the sofa and just then a key sounded in the lock and Josie and Clara came back.
"Oh!" said Josie and Bridget and Riley smiled.
"Put the milk in the fridge," Clara ordered. "Stop staring!"
"I'm not staring!" Josie snapped and she went through to the kitchen.
"Hello," said Clara, sounding more awkward than she had before. "Hi Riley."
"Hi," he said, sounding nervous too. "Sorry I shouted last time. Sorry if I frightened you at all."
"You didn't frighten me!" exclaimed Clara, sounding slightly affronted. "Josie was more frightened than me!"
"Okay. Well, I'm sorry anyway. Sorry Josie," as she came back from putting the milk away.
"It's okay," she said shyly and then she remembered something.
"Clara!" she said.
"What?"
"Remember," said Josie, in an agonised tone, "the surprise?"
"It's not a surprise if you talk about it!" Clara snapped and she went off with her sister to the other end of the room where they whispered.
Bridget and Riley looked at them and then each other, amused.
"We have something for you!" Josie announced, "but it's not ready yet! So please go upstairs and make yourselves comfortable."
Bridget and Riley started laughing at this little speech but then stopped as Josie was looking hurt. She had clearly thought it sounded very grown-up and formal.
"Okay," said Bridget and they headed up the stairs.
"Which room did she mean?" asked Riley, looking at both the girl's bedrooms.
"I don't know."
Riley caught sight of the sign on Clara's room and laughed. It read:
CLARA'S ROOM! KEEP OUT ON PAIN OF DEATH! THAT MEANS YOU JOSIE ESPECIALLY YOU!!!
"I remember you having a sign like that," said Bridget, laughing.
"Well, I was sick to death of Mum and Dad and unwanted little sisters barging in," said Riley defensively. "A man needed his privacy."
"I put up the exact same sign a few years later," said Bridget, "telling you to keep out, and what happened? No one took any notice and you just laughed at me when I said I was becoming a woman!"
"Because you all laughed at me and didn't take any notice either!" exclaimed Riley. "You need to know how it felt!"
"We felt so grown-up back then," sighed Bridget. "It feels so dumb now. Anyway, I guess we should wait in Josie's room, she doesn't have any death threats up."
They went into the room which looked a lot more welcoming. Riley awkwardly picked up a doll and teddy bear to make room for them to sit and, uncertain of what to do with them, dropped them on the other side of the bed.
"That's not much of a place to put them!" said Bridget, whose side of telling India to tidy up came out, and she bent over to retrieve them, but then the girls came back in so she sat back up.
Josie and Clara were carrying a very obviously homemade chocolate cake with some sprinkles on top.
"Happy Get to Know Us Day to you!" sang Josie, to the tune of Happy Birthday, "Happy Get to Know Us Day to you! Happy Get to Know Us, Get to Know Us, Get to Know Us Day to you! Whoo!"
She set down the cake and Bridget and Riley clapped.
"I said the lyrics were dumb," criticised Clara. "They sound really snooty, like it's so special for Bridget and Riley to get to know us."
"They're wonderful lyrics!" said Bridget, as Josie looked very let down. "You did a very good job with both the cake and the song."
"And the presentation?" asked Josie.
"And the presentation."
"She did a hostessing session in school," explained Clara. "Now she's obsessed."
"I'm not obsessed!"
"It's wonderful," said Bridget hastily again and Riley agreed. "The cake looks delicious."
"Hold on Josie, I should cut it, you're too young," said Clara, picking up the knife.
"You're not much older!"
"Mum said –"
"Riley can cut it," said Bridget, quickly taking the knife from Clara. "As we're getting to know him."
"Well, you already know me," said Riley and Bridget stuck her tongue out, but he cut the cake anyway and handed round some slices.
Josie giggled.
"What is it?"
"You're a grown-up," she laughed, "and you stuck your tongue out!"
"You can still stick your tongue out when you're grown-up. Though I guess it is a little childish," she admitted.
"You still do it though," said Riley and Bridget stuck her tongue out at him once more.
"You did it again!" laughed Josie.
"You can do it to annoying brothers," said Bridget, glaring at Riley, "and husbands if they're being annoying too!"
"Mum tells me and Clara off if we stick our tongues out at each other."
"Oh," said Bridget guiltily, not wishing to cause bad behaviour. "Well. You shouldn't really. Our mum tells us off if we do it."
"Your mum still tells you off? Even though you're grown-up?"
"She's our mum, she still tells us off for some stuff. Though we don't really do much wrong now."
"Apart from sticking your tongue out?"
"Apart from sticking our tongues out," Bridget agreed.
They ate the cake.
"It still feels weird," Clara said, holding her head in her hands, "that you have a different mum. Like we have the same mum but she's not your mum. I know how it works, but it still feels weird."
"Of course it does. I guess she'll be important to me, but she's not my mum to me, no. I have my own mother who raised me. Me and Riley. "
"Do you hate Mum? I'm not surprised if you do, but I don't want you to."
"Of course I don't hate your mum!"
"Good," said Clara and she and Josie looked relieved.
"You were born ages before us," said Josie, staring at Riley. "I mean Bridget was too, but you were born more ages. And I guess you were born ages before her."
"Six years."
"Ages."
"But that's not a lot next to how much older you are to us," said Clara thoughtfully. "When were you born?"
"1985."
"Wow," said Josie and she dropped the remainder of her cake.
"It's not that old!" laughed Riley. "It wasn't that long ago!"
"Yes it was," said Bridget wickedly. "A different decade to me."
"Yeah, not by much. You were born at the start of the nineties."
"Wow," said Josie again.
"When's your birthday?" asked Riley.
"I'll be eleven on 11th November," she said proudly. "I was born in 2005."
"How about you Clara?"
"Sixth of September."
"She'll be a teenager," said Josie in awe. "She was born in 2003! Ages ago!"
"I was eighteen then," admitted Riley. "Now I feel old!"
"I'm going to be nearly grown up next birthday," said Clara and Bridget and Riley laughed, even though they felt slightly mean after seeing Clara's hurt expression.
"It's not nearly grown up!"
"Yes it is!" Clara stood up haughtily. "Excuse me for a moment," she said in her most grown-up voice, "I need something from my room!"
She went next door and Bridget ad Riley looked guiltily at each other.
"Whoops," said Riley.
"I'll go after her," said Bridget.
"She'll kill you if you don't knock!" called Josie but Bridget already knew that. She knocked smartly on the door.
"Go away!"
"Now that's not a very grown-up thing to say."
"Come in then," said Clara ungraciously and Bridget went in to see her half-sister sitting sulkily on the bed.
"I didn't mean to upset you. I'm sorry if I did. So's Riley."
"It's okay," Clara mumbled.
"Is it?"
"I do feel really grown-up!" Clara exclaimed, "and the teachers say next year's a big year! Mum acts like I should be so responsible and help look after Clara and then she tells me I'm just a child the next minute! I'm not a child! I have a bra!"
Bridget tried very hard not to laugh at the last part.
"It's a hard age, I know."
"You don't know!"
"I was twelve and thirteen once."
"Ages ago," said Clara rudely.
"It wasn't that long ago. I know I'm married and a mum, but I did it all very young."
"No one bosses you about now."
"They do sometimes. And sometimes it can still be very confusing."
"I wish people treated me older though."
"Well Clara, here's a tip. Try not to snap at people and take the sign off your door, it's not exactly welcoming."
"Because Mum and Josie just come in whenever they want!"
"Has the sign changed that?"
"No," Clara admitted.
"Well then. Why don't you change it to please knock and have a word with your mum asking her to knock? She'll understand and it will make you look very mature."
"Will it?"
"Yes." Bridget got up. "Come on, I think there's still some cake."
They went back in and finished it.
"You think you're so grown up Clara," announced Josie mischievously, "but you have chocolate all round your mouth!"
Instead of throttling her sister, Clara laughed and stuck her tongue out.
"That's not grown up!" Josie shrieked, laughing. "That's not grown up at all!"
"Riley has chocolate round his mouth too," added Bridget. "And he's and old, old man!"
"Oh shut up!" said Riley and they stuck their tongues out at each other as well.
Joanna came back and peeked round the door. She laughed to see all her four children acting as though they had known each other forever and dared to think, maybe it will be all okay.
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Post by Bee on Apr 12, 2010 11:03:04 GMT
that was great Sophie
i love the different relationships that they have with eachother like Riley, Bridget and Josie, Clara...
you have to introduce Clara and Josie to Indy soon though (:
cant wait for more!
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Post by sophie on Apr 17, 2010 20:54:54 GMT
They will meet her at some point, I promise!
“It was okay, wasn’t it?” said Bridget a little nervously as Riley drove her back home.
“Yeah, you were right. I shouldn’t have been so worried. You know, before we met them and you told me we had half-sisters I even felt slightly angry.”
“Why?”
Riley looked down.
“I don’t know. I guess because Joanna was strong enough for them – that’s not fair I know and I knew it then as well. It’s not their fault.”
“No, it’s not.”
Riley looked out of the windscreen.
“I don’t know how I feel about her,” he said eventually. “About Joanna. I don’t hate her or anything like that, but I feel strange around her. I don’t know if I can become friends with her, if that’s the right way to look at it.”
“Do you want to stay in contact with her?”
“Yes. I do want to know her, I think, and Josie and Clara. It’ll always feel weird to me though.”
“It feels a bit weird to me too.”
“Probably not so much though.”
“No, I don’t think it is. I can’t remember her before and you can.”
“It’s faint, but yeah, I remember.”
They pulled up to the house.
“Well,” said Bridget, after a short pause, “I should go in.”
“Okay.”
“Are you sure you don’t want to come in? For a cup of tea or something?.”
“No, I should head back.” He blushed. “Marie’s calling me.”
“Young love,” teased Bridget and he gave her a shove.
“We’re hardly teenagers. Not like you and Dec were.”
“You’re acting like one though.”
“I think everyone does. Well, I’ll see you soon sis.”
Bridget reached over and gave him a quick hug and he looked surprised.
“I’m glad you’re my brother,” she said and he smiled.
“I’m glad you’re my sister.”
Bridget got out of the van.
“You’ve finally admitted it!” she called to him and he laughed and drove away.
Bridget opened the door and to her surprise could hear her husband and daughter home before her. She could hear Declan doing a silly, growly voice and India laughing. She looked round the door and saw them playing with Teddy and London. They didn’t see her at first and carried on playing, with a pair of cups on the small table.
“Hello you two,” she said, laughing and they jumped.
“Mummy!” said India happily and she jumped up and gave her a hug.
“Hello sweetheart,” said Bridget fondly. “What are you and Daddy doing?”
“Playing Teddy Bears’ Picnic!”
“Really?”
“We sang the special song!”
“I could hear someone doing a very good teddy voice,” said Bridget and Declan blushed.
“Yes,” said India proudly. “I’ve been practising. I had to help Daddy.”
“Did you?”
“She was a very good teacher,” said Declan, and he and Bridget struggled not to laugh. “And we had a very nice picnic.”
“I bet you did. Well, we should tidy this up and then make dinner. Should we have pasta tonight?”
“I’m taking Teddy and London upstairs,” announced India. “They’ve finished their outing!” and she ran upstairs.
“You’re back early,” said Bridget. “I didn’t expect you for another hour. I was going to head over to your mum’s in a minute.”
“I finished early so I went over to Mum’s and picked India up then. Mum showed her the teddy bears’ picnic song and she was singing it over and over in the car on the way back. I thought it might be a good idea to have a teddy bears’ picnic because then she might stop singing it.”
“You weren’t doing it properly,” Bridget teased. “You’re meant to go down to the woods today and have a big surprise!”
“Well, we imagined it. Do you think it will stop her singing it for a bit?”
From upstairs Bridget and Declan heard a loud rendition of, “...teddy bears’ picnic!”
“No,” said Bridget shortly.
“How was today, anyway?” asked Declan.
“Oh, it was really good. The girls were so cute – they baked me and Riley a cake and sang a song and everything.”
“Was Riley okay?”
“He was fine. He relaxed a lot. We ended up having a good time and even had a cup of tea with Joanna before we went.”
“How is she? How are Josie and Clara?”
“They’re okay. Clara’s a bit focused on growing up, but she’s fine. I bet Joanna’s dreading her hitting the teens. Clara can’t wait.”
“When’s her birthday?”
“Sixth September.”
“I don’t blame Joanna for feeling nervous,” commented Declan, getting out a pan.
“No.”
“I can’t believe Rachel’s going tomorrow,” sighed Bridget. “She didn’t stay long enough.”
“I miss her when she goes too.”
“Wouldn’t it wonderful to visit her one day,” said Bridget dreamily.
“Probably not for a while.”
“I know,” sighed Bridget. “Mr Reality. Speaking of money and things, when should we sell the car?”
“I don’t know – maybe next month or so? You have your ultrasound.”
Bridget smiled at the thought of that and then thought of the cost of everything and felt slightly less happy. Come on, she told herself, think of when you get to see the baby in the scan, but her spirits felt slightly dampened.
The next morning Bridget met with Rachel and Donna for a coffee.
“You’re going,” said Donna sadly. “It’s not fair.”
“I know guys. But hey,” Rachel said, trying to cheer all of them up, “I’m back in two months. Less than that, I think. And you’re both so busy you won’t notice I’m gone.”
“I guess,” said Bridget miserably. Everyone knew that wasn’t true but no one stated it.
“You can’t be miserable on my last morning,” said Rachel sternly. “I’m not having it. We’re going to have fun.”
“What kind of fun?”
“I don’t know. But not moping.”
Everyone was quite for a moment.
“I spoke to Elle last night,” said Donna suddenly, “and she remembered that cheerleading thing we did. She had to write an article on cheerleading in America and it popped back in her head.”
Bridget and Rachel groaned and not very fondly.
“I think that was the dumbest thing we ever did,” said Bridget. “I can’t believe we did that. I’d never do it now and not just for health reasons. If I could go back in time I’d tell myself not to do it and save the humiliation.”
Rachel agreed.
“We looked hot!” protested Donna. “I enjoyed it and you guys did too, I know you did.”
“Maybe, but I always feel so embarrassed remembering it."
“We won the cup that night, didn’t we?” asked Rachel. “I like focusing on that and not the cheerleading.”
“Oh you guys have got boring in your old age,” said Donna and they shoved her.
“I thought that the next day,” said Rachel.
“Did you know I was pregnant then?” said Bridget. “I must have been. I only found out a little while later and my ankles were murdering me. It was a wonder I could jump about.”
“I was proud of you,” said Donna firmly. “Even if you did get embarrassed.”
Donna had to leave earlier to work on a design but she promised to come to the airport and Rachel and Bridget were left alone.
“I can’t believe you’re leaving,” said Bridget, feeling tears coming. “Again.”
“Oh Didge, don’t set me off.” But tears were already streaming down her cheeks.
“Remember when I first arrived?” asked Bridget. “And you made friends with me.”
“We were so chalk and cheese.”
“I sometimes think it’s weird we got along so well.”
“Well, you’re good fun. Even if you did try and make me watch footy. And you let me tell you all boy woes.”
“Oh thanks,” laughed Bridget. “That’s what made me a good friend?”
“You know why I’m friends with you. You’re funny and kind and listen.”
“I’ve always thought I should listen more. I’m so stubborn.”
“You’re stubborn but you’ll always listen. You don’t notice it, but you do.”
Bridget was thoughtful.
“I think a big part of you being my friend,” she said, “was telling me to think about something more than once and telling me off if I was being a cow. You know, I think you were my first proper female friend. Thanks, Rachel.”
“And you always told me off for being a princess. I can be so princessy, even now. I hope less than I was though.”
“Oh, you weren’t that bad. Not all the time. You watched footy, didn’t you?”
Rachel laughed.
“I wish I could turn back the clock,” said Bridget. “And just have an afternoon where we were sixteen again. Mum and Dad would be dealing with the money and the food and everything else hard and we’d just be mucking about, sitting on the sofa with a cup of Milo gossiping. I’d be telling you about how I was in doom with Mum again for some reason and you’d be telling me some boy drama.”
“You had boy drama too, remember? Remember how much trouble you got in about Declan? And you said it wasn’t fair but I remember that smile. You liked him.”
“You knew. You knew way before I did!”
“Sometimes it’s easier for someone else.”
“I guess.”
“You wouldn’t want to go back in time forever though, would you? It was easier in those ways but it’s not so bad now.”
“No, I wouldn’t go back. I was so insecure then as well.”
“I never really guessed that.”
“Oh, I just hid it. But I did care what people thought of me. It’s hard being a teen.”
“Yeah.”
“I would like to go back just for a day though. Just to see what it would be like.”
A little while later Rachel left to spend the rest of the day with her family and Bridget drifted back home.
When she got back India was dancing and jumping round the room.
“What are you doing, silly?” laughed Bridget.
“These are my woods,” announced India, “and I’m looking for the teddy bears!”
“I wonder if that’s where you got all that love of jumping from,” thought Bridget out loud. “That stupid cheerleading.”
“What?”
“Nothing,” said Bridget. “I’m just being silly.”
That night they all went to the airport, even India.
“Don’t go,” sobbed India into Rachel’s waist.
“I’ll be back so quick you won’t notice I’m gone.”
“That’s a lie!” wailed India. “People say that and it’s not true!”
“Shh,” said Rachel. “Look after London for me? I’ll talk to you on the phone soon and it will feel like I’m there.”
“It won’t,” sobbed India and Rachel hugged her, feeling very sad. She gave her a kiss and India finally detached herself and hugged Declan instead, sucking her thumb.
“Bye Rach,” said Donna, giving her a hug. “Don’t forget us!”
“Of course I won’t!” said Rachel and she smiled sadly at Donna and Bridget and Bridget thought of that long ago afternoon where she had booked those flights for the very first time.
“See you Rach,” said Bridget, giving her best friend a hug for one last time. “Call us when you land.”
“You know I will. And promise me you’ll talk to Declan?” asked Rachel, looking at Bridget, and she nodded. “That’s my girl!”
Bridget laughed.
“I’ll nag you until you do,” warned Rachel.
“And I’ll nag you until we hear more about this boyfriend!” retorted Bridget and Donna agreed,
“Yeah, Kinski!”
“He’s not my boyfriend!” exclaimed Rachel and Bridget and Donna rolled their eyes.
“Have a good time Rach,” said Zeke. “And if he’s an idiot drop him.”
“Good luck with everything,” Rachel said to him and Jessica. “And call me the minute the baby’s born!”
“Goodbye love,” said Susan and she and Karl hugged her.
Finally the boarding call was announced.
“Goodbye Rachel! Goodbye!”
She turned and waved and they all waved back and India wiped her face and waved too, jumping, calling,
“Goodbye Auntie Rachel!”
She boarded the flight and Bridget felt so sad. It was so wrenching whenever she went back, even though it had been years now.
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Post by Bee on Apr 18, 2010 4:03:21 GMT
this was great Sophie!
I love how you bring up things from when they were teenagers all the time
and i love how you've written India.. she's so cute in this!
cant wait for more as always!
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Post by sophie on Apr 18, 2010 20:59:17 GMT
Declan and Bridget got ready for bed. Bridget pulled on her pyjama top and looked down at Declan lying on the bed, so peaceful. I am happy, she thought. Declan opened his eyes and saw her looking down at him.
"Are you okay?"
Bridget bit her lip.
"Didge?"
She sat down on the bed.
"Declan," said Bridget, "do you always feel happy?"
He sat up and looked at her.
"No one can feel happy all the time but mostly, yeah." He looked at her closely. "Are you?"
"I love you and India. I love our life."
"That's not answering the question." He sat up and looked worried. "You can love someone and still feel unhappy."
"I'm not unhappy!"
"But there's a but. Didge." Declan looked at her in concern.
"I didn't say that."
"Didge, I know you. I know there's a but. I know you don't bring stuff up without a reason."
"I," said Bridget, not sure what to say, "Dec, you know I love you."
"Of course I know that."
"More than anything."
"Didge, what is it? I know you love me more than anything. I love you more than anything too."
Bridget looked away.
"Didge."
"I don't always feel happy," she said quietly.
"When aren't you happy?" Dec took her hand. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"Because I'm not unhappy," Didge said. "I'm not unhappy all the time. It's just sometimes I feel stressed and I've been feeling a bit down lately."
"Why didn't you tell me?" Declan said again, and Bridget hated how hurt he sounded.
"Because it all seemed so selfish," she said, aware of his gaze. "We have this beautiful daughter and we have each other and so many people have worse problems in the world. And I have a job as well and good friends and I don't know why. And sometimes I feel so happy I could burst. I do. I didn't want to worry you and it felt like telling you would make it seem worse than it is."
"But I want you to worry me," Declan said, feeling upset. "If you're upset I want to know about it. I'm your husband, we love each other don't we? Wouldn't you want to know if I was upset?"
"I'm sorry," said Bridget and she felt horribly guilty.
"Oh Didge – I'm sorry, don't get upset. I wasn't trying to make you feel horrible about not telling me."
"But I should feel bad," said Bridget wiping away a tear. "I shouldn't exclude you. I wasn't trying to shut you out."
"I know you weren't. But Didge, I don't want you to bottle stuff up, especially now. If you're upset we should deal with it together."
"You think I'd have learnt that after all these years," said Bridget, laughing a little in spite of herself.
"Why are you unhappy?" asked Declan again, pulling her to him slightly.
"I'm not unhappy always."
"Okay, why are you unhappy sometimes?"
"I don't know. Yes I do. I feel worried. I feel worried that I won't get to university, I worry about money, I worry that Indy will never come round to the new baby and then I think of all our responsibilities and I just feel scared. I think, I'm not old enough for this. I'm not doing it right."
"Yes you are," said Declan, feeling upset. "You're a great mum. I know you are. Look at our girl."
"But half the time it feels like I'm guessing my way through," said Bridget and she was properly crying. "She's only little now and it's hard enough and then I think, what about when she's a teenager? What's going to happen one day when saying, no, don't do that isn't enough? What if she goes off the rails, I won't know what to do."
"But we're doing it together," said Declan, squeezing her hand. "We're a team."
"What if something happens so you're not there?" cried Bridget. "What if she just doesn't listen?"
"She always listens to you."
"Now she does, and sometimes she's naughty. What about when she's older?"
"Didge, why are you thinking about this?" asked Declan desperately. "She's six years old. And you can't worry about things that might happen."
"I don't want to," sobbed Bridget. "I know that. I think it's being pregnant again, it's bringing back all how it felt before. I can't help remembering how frightening it was the first time. And then, without really wanting to, I start thinking about what I would do, what we would do, if India got pregnant and how terrible it would be."
"But Didge, she's not a teenager now. And it wouldn't be the end of the world. It worked out for us."
"Because we loved each other and were lucky," sniffled Bridget. "Half the girls out there aren't. Look at Joanna. She and her boyfriend loved each other but it didn't make it easy."
"But we had support from our parents and we'd support India, even if this future boyfriend didn't. We'd never force a decision on her and we'd help her. And if the guy didn't, I'd kill him."
Bridget had to smile.
"But it would be so terrible for her. I never want our girl going through that."
"We'll help her and it may never happen anyway."
"You're right I know. I think it was Rachel's visit as well. She's so young and carefree. And she's nowhere near where we are now and she knows she doesn't want to be yet. She lives in a flat enjoying life and she and Donna can visit each other whenever they like."
"Well, I don't know about that."
"And that's another thing I've felt so bad about," sobbed Bridget. "Thinking all that. I wouldn't turn the clock back, Declan, I wouldn't, you know that, but I've had days where I wish I could have a life like that. Where I didn't get up, make sure our child eats breakfast and is all ready for school, worry about the money and the bills and trying not to worry about whether India's okay at school and isn't hurt by something. And then not going into horrible thoughts where she's being bullied or something. And then I can't help but worry about that and the money and what to have for dinner."
"Bridget, we were so young when we had her."
"And I know how all that sounds!" she cried. "I know it sounds like I wish everything was different. But I love our life, I do. It's just so hard sometimes."
"I know Didge. I know."
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you," she sobbed. "I'm really sorry. I just felt so stupid and guilty."
"I'm sorry," said Declan, hugging her and giving her a kiss. "I'm sorry I didn't think that you were under so much stress. I'm sorry."
"Don't be sorry!" said Bridget, her eyes looking bright from the tears. "You're not a mind-reader."
"But I should have noticed. It's like before – you were scared about us being parents and I didn't think about it enough."
"I never told you," said Bridget, looking down. "I just thought I could handle it and then I couldn't."
"Didge, you can't handle stuff all the time. Do you want me to take more time off work? You look after Indy so much more."
"Well, I'm at work some days."
"But then you look after her before or after her shift. I should try and get more time off."
"No, don't. We need the money."
"God, I hate money."
"Me too. Do you ever feel like that?"
"Like what?"
"Like, seeing Zeke and Ringo and envying them?"
Declan was silent.
"I guess sometimes," he said eventually. "More when India was a baby I think. They could just go to a game or to each other's houses and play video games and live to their own schedule. They didn't really have any responsibilities and I had a tiny baby who needed us constantly and even if she was asleep or being babysat I always worried about her."
"Me too."
"Didge," said Declan after a pause, "promise me, and you have to promise me, that when you next feel stressed you'll tell me."
"Okay. Yes, I promise."
"And your mum and dad, or my mum."
"All of them?!"
"Only if you want to. Just...tell me. You can't through this by yourself."
"It sounds worse than it is when you say it like that. I'm not depressed. Just stressed now and then."
"Too stressed! Didge, you've got to stop feeling guilty. You've got to. It's not good for the baby and it's not good for you. We're parents to a six-year-old and we're only twenty-four – well, I'm twenty-five. But it's young. Anyone would feel stressed. You've got to stop thinking that you can never fail."
"I know. You never seem stressed."
"I am stressed sometimes. God Didge, you know I am. When I come home from a bad day at work or India's driving me up the wall. Yesterday she turned her clothes inside out and it took half an hour to get her to put them back on properly and then she kept singing that stupid song. I was this close to screaming. I tell you when I'm stressed." He looked hurt.
"But it seems like you're okay about it. India listens to you more, I think."
"I don't think she does. I think she behaves better with you."
"Well, I don't know."
"I do know one thing. You're her mummy and she loves you more than anyone in the world. Both of us."
Bridget smiled and put a hand on her stomach.
"I can't help but worry about the new one. Boy or girl, it's still going to be a new baby and God knows how we did it before. It was long ago."
"It wasn't too long ago."
"I keep thinking I'll mess it up or India will hate him or her."
"You won't mess it up. We're doing it together. And India will love him or her. There might still be sibling rivalry but she'll just have to learn to share. And she will. I know she will."
"I love you," said Bridget, putting her arms round his neck. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you. You know, I feel better already for telling you. You'd think I'd have learnt that lesson by now."
"Please stop beating yourself up. I love you too. Didge, we're human, we're going to make mistakes. I made a mistake yesterday."
"What was that?"
"I gave India icecream to try and stop her singing for a bit."
"And did it work?"
"No. She ate it, get very hyper and ran round the house singing it even more."
"It's hard being parents isn't it?" sighed Bridget, after she finished laughing. "Do you think the next one will be as manic?"
"I don't call it being manic, I call it being feisty," said Declan and they smiled at each other and kissed. Declan put his hand on her stomach and they fell asleep, Bridget feeling ten times better than she had in weeks.
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Post by Bee on Apr 19, 2010 8:10:33 GMT
that was great Sophie..just the thing that i needed to de-stress about this job interview!
cant wait for more!!
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Post by sophie on Apr 20, 2010 0:15:24 GMT
A few days later Declan and Bridget were tidying the kitchen.
"What have you got planned for Indy tomorrow?" Declan asked.
Bridget stared at him.
"I'm working all day tomorrow, you know that. It's your day off."
"No, it's not," contradicted Declan. "It's my day off next week. Isn't it you day off tomorrow?"
"It's my day off the day after tomorrow. You know I wrote it on the calendar."
"You didn't!"
"Go and check."
Declan went over and checked in shock.
"Why didn't you remind me?"
"I forgot," Bridget admitted sheepishly. "But I was so sure it was your day off."
"Well, what are going to do?"
"I guess ring Mum and your mum. I feel bad, I should have remembered to remind you."
"I should have thought about it too. We'll work something out. At least we didn't remember tomorrow morning!"
Declan rang Rebecca.
"Hey Mum. I'm really sorry we're asking you now, but could you look after India tomorrow? Our schedules crossed over."
"Oh, I'm so sorry," said Rebecca and she sounded it, "but I have work all day at Charlie's. I can't get out of it. I'm sorry. I hope you can work something else."
"Don't worry about it Mum – it's not your fault, it's ours."
Unfortunately Miranda was tied up with work as well, as was Steve and Riley had plans.
"I guess Donna," said Bridget doubtfully, but she was busy as well, and so were Zeke and Jessica.
"Now what?" asked Declan desperately.
"We'll have to try school friends. Do you think it's too late to call them?"
"It's a bit of an emergency," said Declan and, after glancing at the clock, he said, "it's not too late. It's only nine."
So Bridget rang Lydia's mother.
"Hi. I'm so sorry to bother you, but there is any chance India could come over to play tomorrow?"
"I thought India wasn't coming over to play until next week," said Lydia's mother in confusion.
"No, she's not," said Bridget in embarrassment. "There was a mixup with mine and India's dad's schedules."
"Oh. Well, I'm sorry, but we're visiting my mother tomorrow. I'd look after her if I could."
"I know," said Bridget. "It's fine. I'm sorry to have bothered you."
They tried Emily as well but she was going to the beach the next day.
"Now what?" Bridget said desperately. "Oh, how could we have mixed the schedules up?"
"I'm sure we're not the first parents to have done that," said Declan, trying to sound cheerful. "Does she have any other friends? What about that Smithson woman?" he teased.
"We are NOT calling Mrs Smithson!" exclaimed Bridget furiously. "No, I'm sorry, I'm not giving that – that cow any more ammunition against me. That woman never mixed up a schedule in her life. I don't think India even likes her children.
"Calm down, I was just mucking about," said Declan. "And Mrs Smithson's whole life is probably a schedule. There must be someone else we can try. What about that boy she's friends with?"
"Jamie Adler?"
"It's worth a shot."
Bridget dialled his number but unfortunately, Jamie was visiting his uncle.
"Well, I hope he has a nice day," said Bridget and she hung up.
"I can't believe everyone is busy! Typical!"
"Is there no one else?"
"I don't know any other kids India's friends with."
"Joanna?" Declan suggested, after a pause.
"She's at a friend's all week."
"What about those holiday clubs?" Declan asked desperately. "Could they take her for a day?"
"I don't know any holiday clubs."
"There must be one. Look online."
Bridget found one closest to them called Sunbeams' Sunshine Group.
"Awful name," Declan commented.
"I don't care, it's closest to us. The rest are all in Melbourne. If they look after her for the day I'll have nothing but praise."
"What if they don't?"
"You'd have to take her to the office, I guess."
"I can't do that!" exclaimed Declan. "Couldn't you take her to the university?"
"I'm helping give tours to new students! I can't drag her along! And would it be so terrible?"
"She'd be bored and act up."
"Well, I'm sure you'd make her behave," said Bridget, trying to sound enthusiastic. "We don't really have any other options. Let's just hope the holiday club looks after her."
But they didn't.
"I'm sorry," came a snooty voice down the line, "your child is not registered for the club."
"I know," said Bridget desperately, "but it's just for one day. She's just one more little girl, she can't make that much of a difference. And it's a bit of an emergency – no one is able to look after her tomorrow, there was a schedule mixup. Please."
"I'm sorry," said the voice again. "We really can't look after another child. And maybe you should have been more organised."
Bridget got very angry.
"You are horrible people with no community spirit," she snapped without thinking about it. "And you have a stupid name," she added and then, horrified at what she had said, she quickly hung up.
She turned round and saw Declan laughing at her.
"I don't know what you're laughing about," she remarked, still feeling embarrassed. "You're the one taking her to the office for the day."
The smile vanished from his face.
"It's no place for a kid."
"Look, we don't have a choice! It's just one day. Just bring her a book and some paper and crayons and she can draw and read and then it'll be over."
Declan highly doubted that his daughter would sit quietly on a chair all day and groaned.
"We really don't have a choice," Bridget said again. "Since the holiday club people..."
"Are horrible people with no community spirit?" Declan finished, the corners of his mouth twitching. "With a stupid name?"
"Yes, exactly," said Bridget, and she giggled.
"Come on Munchkin," said Declan the next morning.
"Why am I going with you?" asked India, tilting her head to one side.
"Because no one can look after you today."
"But I can look after myself!"
"You're too little."
"I'd be very good!" India exclaimed. "I wouldn't – I wouldn't touch the stove and I'd play with Teddy and London."
"I'm sure you'd be very good, but you're still too little," Bridget told her. "You're going to have a whole day with Daddy in the office! And you can bring Teddy and London!"
"Now, you have to be a very, very good girl," Declan told his daughter as they walked into the big building. "Remember what I told you? You have to be on your very, very best behaviour. No running, no shouting, no singing. Be a good girl and read."
"Okay," said India distractedly, staring at all the other people and up at the ceiling.
"India? Are you listening?"
"Yes."
"What do you have to do?"
"Be a good girl," she replied automatically. "Daddy, can I get a puppy if I'm good today?"
"No," said Declan, wondering where that had come from. "Just be good."
"Can I play on the computer?"
"No."
"Why?"
"Lots of reasons." Declan had a feeling it would be a long day.
"Look at the computer!" cried India, running into her father's office. "What do the buttons do?" she asked and her fingers hovered dangerously over them.
"Don't touch them!" Declan said and grabbed her hands away just as she pressed the enter button.
"Why?" she asked.
"It could harm the computer," Declan told her, relieved that it hadn't been switched on.
"There's me!" cried India, happily, seeing a picture of herself taken the year before on a beach and one of Bridget and Declan on their wedding day. "And you and Mummy!"
"Yes, and I have you as a baby too."
India giggled at her baby self looking surprised in the photo.
"Is this your plant?" India asked, looking at a small green plant in a plant pot and spilling some of the spoil onto the carpet from her fingers.
"Whoops!"
"Yes," said Declan, clearing the soil up and wiping his daughter's fingers clean. "Now remember what we talked about. Be a good girl and don't touch. Why don't you read for a bit?"
"Okay."
So India pulled her book out and started reading, much to Declan's relief. He calculated some figures, checked book sales and then had to make a phone call. As he spoke to a woman about some books India grew bored of her own. She tried to make out what her father's conversation was about but it was boring and grown-up and she couldn't understand it. She stood up on the chair and made faces at her father to try and make him laugh. He didn't.
"Sit down!" Declan mouthed desperately and she did so but still continued to make the faces. "Stop it!" he mouthed again and India, disappointed, got up and wandered over to some piles of things on the far side of the desk whilst her father turned to check something on the computer. She pulled at some papers to try and see what they were about but they all fell onto the floor.
"India!" snapped Declan in exasperation and she felt ashamed.
"What was that?" asked the woman on the other end. "What about India?"
"Oh – nothing. Sorry." He glared at India and she sat back down, feeling small.
"Sorry Daddy," she said after he finished the conversation.
"It's okay. Look, you know you can't touch. Just sit quietly."
India sat down and got bored again so she picked up Teddy and London and gave them a tour.
"This is Daddy's computer!" she said and, before he could stop her, she pressed a key and the document disappeared. Declan groaned and then got angry.
"Sorry!"
"I told you not to touch anything, especially the computer!"
"I'm bored!" India complained.
"Just sit quietly and draw a picture!"
"Fine," said India sulkily and she grabbed a piece of paper.
"No – not on my summary report!"
Finally lunch-time came, at long, long last and Declan took them out of the office. India, delighted to be out of the room, raced down the corridor.
"Don't run!" Declan shouted but she had already bumped into a woman pushing the cake trolley.
"Sorry. Are you okay? India, say sorry."
"Sorry," she said meekly.
"It's fine," said the woman. "What a face! Do you want a cake?"
"Oh – well..." said Declan, unsure.
"On the house. We don't get little girls here very often. There you are, sweetie."
She handed India a small cream cake and she was delighted.
"India, what do you say?"
"Thank you very much!"
"You're welcome." The woman walked off.
India was delighted to eat lunch in the canteen and she ate her cake very quickly, then was disappointed it was finished.
"I feel like a proper busyness lady."
"It's business, darling."
"But I do."
"What do you think of the office?"
"I liked the other place better," she said honestly. "With the special lifts and rooms."
"Lassiters," Declan remembered. "I liked it there too. I get more money here though – and free books!"
"I like my books," India agreed.
"Now, you're going to be a good girl now, aren't you?" said Declan firmly after his lunch break.
"But I'm bored of everything Daddy. I want to be a busyness lady."
"Business," Declan corrected. "Here," he said, handing her a pad of paper. "Write something and pretend to be one."
India was delighted and to Declan's immense relief that took up her attention for the rest of the afternoon.
"We're about free to go," he told her a few hours later.
"Here Daddy!" she said proudly.
He laughed at what she had written and felt very proud as well.
My name is India Napier and I am six. I hav a Mummy and Daddy and a baby bruver or sister but they havint bin born. Mummy ses the baby wil be born in July and I wil bee a big sister. My Mummy is a speshul Mummy who mayks me hapy and my Daddy chayses away nasty monsters and I donet like monsters!!! I am heer with my Daddy to be a speshul bussyness lady becos no won can look after me today but I can woch myself, I no I can. Teddy and Lundun are heeer too and they are speshul. I was norty befor but I am good now. I like the offiss.
"You are a special business lady," he said and gave her a hug and a kiss.
"Was it dreadful?" Bridget asked him later.
"No," said Declan fondly and he couldn't help but wish he could have his daughter as a special busyness lady to help brighten up other working days.
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Post by Bee on Apr 20, 2010 1:11:32 GMT
good work sophie... i had to stop myself from laughing because i'm in class half way through that with India (:
cant wait for more
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Post by smilelino on Apr 20, 2010 10:44:48 GMT
Such a sweet chapter. I especially loved Indys letter. Thank you.
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Post by sophie on Apr 21, 2010 10:24:35 GMT
“I don’t want to go back to school.” India stuck her toe out and drew a line with it on the floor.
“Why not? You’re going into Grade One and you’ll be a big girl, isn’t that exciting? You won’t be in Kinder anymore!”
“In Kinder they get to play with stuff all day,” India complained. “Outside as well. The Grade Ones don’t get to do that.”
“Because you’ll be learning. Don’t you want to learn?”
“Not really.”
“Well you should,” said Bridget sternly. “You should want to try and learn things.”
“The Grade Ones learn heaps of stuff,” India said, fretting slightly, “but then, I guess in Kinder you’re only a baby,” she added haughtily.
“Go and get your school dress,” Bridget said.
“Yuck, yuck yuck!” India sighed and she ran off to fetch it.
Bridget took her clothes off but to her surprise when she put the dress on her it did not slide on easily as it had the year before. Instead she had to tug a little and it hung far too short on India and finished well above her knees and strained slightly across her front.
“How can you have grown out of that dress already?” Bridget groaned. “I only bought you that last year and it still fitted when you finished for Christmas!”
“I’m sorry Mummy.”
“No – it’s okay. It’s not your fault, you can’t help growing.”
“I wish I was able to shrink,” India commented. “Like Alice.”
“Yes, a shrinking potion could be useful. But I wouldn’t want you to stop growing.”
“Are there any shrinking potions?”
“No, it was only in a book. Try your shoes.”
“I bet there is a shrinking potion,” said India and she went to get her shoes.
But they were too small as well.
“At least your hat still fits,” said Bridget glumly. “We’ll have to go and buy you a new dress and shoes.”
“No!” cried India. “I don’t want a new dress and shoes!”
“You have to have a new dress and shoes. You’re going back to school and your old ones don’t fit. Now come on, grab your jacket.”
So India put on her shoes and jacket – at least they still fitted – and the two set off. India sighed as they approached the shopping market.
“It will be the death of me!” she announced.
Bridget stopped and laughed at her.
“Where did you hear that?”
“A woman said it at Daddy’s work. She said, Angie, this will be the death of me. Bloody hell.”
“Don’t say bloody hell,” Bridget hissed, anguished. “It’s naughty.”
“Why did the lady say it?”
“She shouldn’t have said it.”
“Daddy said it the other day. I came into the kitchen and he dropped a saucer and said, oh, BLOODY HELL!”
People turned to looked round and Bridget wanted the floor to swallow her up.
“You mustn’t, mustn’t, mustn’t say that again.”
“Was Daddy naughty? Are you going to tell him off?”
“Yes,” said Bridget grimly. “I’m going to say something to him when I get in.”
India stopped saying it after that but she talked about other things all the way to the dress shop.
“Mummy, do you work in a school?”
“It’s not really a school. It’s like a special place for grown-ups to learn, though they have to study as well.”
“Do they wear a school dress?”
“No.”
“Do they get in trouble?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“It’s not a school, India. You don’t wear a uniform.”
“Why do I have to wear a uniform?” she cried.
“You just do.”
“Why? Oh, it will be the death of me...”
Thankfully they had reached the dress shop.
“Remember what I said?” Bridget reminded her. “You’re going to behave.”
“Do I get a puppy if I do?” India asked hopefully.
“No!”
“Daddy said I couldn’t have one either.”
“You’re not getting a puppy.”
“I’m getting a baby brother or sister, why can’t I have a puppy?”
“You just can’t.” Bridget hoped it was the last of her questions.
She walked over to the school dresses and picked out a selection of age 5-6 and age 6-7, holding them up against India.
“Try this on,” she said, holding out the age 5-6 but it did not fit at all.
“It hurts my back,” India said sadly.
“Okay, try the bigger one.”
But the bigger one was ridiculous. It swamped her and nearly reached the floor.
“How can it be so big?!” Bridget exclaimed. “That’s ridiculous!”
“I like it,” giggled India. “Can I have it?”
“No, it’s like a tent on you!”
“I want a tent,” said India and when she had taken it off she scrambled under it and was disappointed when Bridget lifted it off her and inspected the label.
“Someone put it on the wrong hanger!” she said, half exasperated and half relieved. “It’s aged 9-10!”
“Can I have it for a tent?”
“No, you cannot.”
India tried on the final dress and it fitted, to Bridget’s relief. It wasn’t too expensive either. India got dressed in her own clothes and Bridget walked with her to put the dresses back – or she thought she was behind her. When she turned round India wasn’t there. Bridget tried not to panic but that was as useless and telling water not to flow in a stream. Her heart thudded so quickly as it was if someone was running in her chest and her mouth went completely dry.
“India!” she gasped out.
“India!” she cried, more loudly.
“Is everything okay?” the shop assistant asked.
“No, it’s my little girl, she was here a minute ago and now she’s gone somewhere...” Bridget fought back tears. “Why weren’t you looking?” she cried, but she was asking herself more.
“She can’t have gone very far,” said the shop assistant. “We’ll check the shop.”
Bridget looked in the changing room but she wasn’t there. She went back to the dresses, even though Bridget knew she couldn’t be there and she wasn't.
She went over to a rack of clothes and then she dropped her bag so bent down to grab it. Suddenly she saw a little face peeking out.
“Surprise!” came India’s voice gleefully.
Bridget was absolutely furious and she tugged India out, despite her saying, “Ow!”
“How could you do that to me?!” Bridget cried. “What were you thinking?!” She gave her daughter a small shake.
“It was a surprise,” said India a small voice. “I wanted to surprise you.”
“A surprise?!" exclaimed Bridget. “You don’t surprise me like that, hear me? I was scared you had gone somewhere! Everyone is looking for you! I am very, very angry!”
“It’s okay,” said the shop assistant. “She’s fine.”
“I was so frightened,” said Bridget again.
“I’m sorry,” said India and she started to cry. “It was a surprise.”
“Okay,” said Bridget, calming down. “You weren’t trying to be naughty. But you mustn’t run off, okay?”
“Okay,” said India and she burst into a fresh set of tears.
Bridget felt awful even though India should not have hidden and she paid for her purchases with India still sobbing and clutching her hand.
“Sorry I shouted at you,” she told the shop assistant. “I shouldn’t have done that. I was just so upset.”
“It’s okay,” said the shop assistant. “I have two children, they drive me crazy as well.”
When they were outside the shop Bridget bent down, wiped India’s tears with a tissue and gave her a hug.
“It’s okay. I’m not angry now.”
“I’m sorry!” India wailed.
“I know. You know why I was upset, don’t you? You mustn’t run off, even if it is for a surprise. You must never, ever do that again.”
“Okay,” sniffled India and Bridget gave her another hug and took her to the shoe shop.
At first she was very good and felt very guilty but then she got bored as nothing fitted and started playing with the shoes.
“Look Mummy!” she giggled and put on a pair of slippers that looked designed for an elderly man. “I’m Grandpa Steve!”
“Put those back!”
“But I’m Grandpa Steve! I’ve looked after the animals all day and now I’m wearing my slippers!”
“Put them back! Now!”
India picked up some high heels.
“Oh, David,” she sighed, echoing some silly programme, “won’t you bring me flowers and wine and take me to the dance?”
“India,” said Bridget in a warning voice.
“David!” swooned India, tried to do dance in them and fell over, giggling.
“Put them back this instant!”
“I’m bored!”
“Well, I’m bored too!” Bridget snapped. “Do you think I like shopping? But you need new school shoes so behave!”
India sat sulkily on the bench and stuck on the new set of school shoes Bridget offered and suddenly Bridget remembered how awfully dull she had found school shopping and saw herself as a child again.
“We’re nearly done,” she said in an encouraging voice.
“Are you going to tell Daddy I was naughty?”
“Yes, but you weren’t trying to be naughty so he won’t be too cross.”
“I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay. Walk across the shop for me so I can see if they fit.”
They did and that was all the shopping done. Bridget paid for the shoes and both girl and woman were never so relieved in her life.
“I can’t believe she did that!” Declan exclaimed later that night. “I think I would have thrown a fit.”
“I was pretty close. I actually shook her a little. Not hard, but I still shook her.” Bridget felt ashamed.
“Well, she had frightened you.”
“She was only trying to surprise me, she wasn’t trying to be naughty. But I don’t think she’ll ever do that again – I hope to God she doesn’t.”
“I’m glad you got all her stuff. I’ll give her a talking to.”
“No, you don’t need to. Dec,” said Bridget, and she had a lump in her throat, “Indy’s grown out of her first school dress!”
“She’s a growing girl.”
“She’s only a baby!” Bridget sobbed. “Well, she’s not really, but she’s only six. It seems like yesterday I bought that dress and it was huge on her. How can our little girl have grown so much?”
“She has heaps of dresses to go.”
“That was her first one!” sobbed Bridget. “God, I wish I could blame this on hormones but I think it’s a case of being a mummy. What am I like? I can’t be like this every time she needs a new set of clothes!”
“It’ll get easier.”
“Oh you’re sad too!” exclaimed Bridget, as he quickly wiped his eye. “You’re just as sad as me!”
She went to check on India.
“Bloody hell,” said India, sitting up in bed, “I can’t sleep! Mummy, why are you crying?”
“It’s nothing,” said Bridet, wiping her eyes. “And didn’t I tell you not to say that, hm? I’m just a bit sad you’re getting big.”
“It’s okay Mummy,” India said comfortingly. “I have a trillion more dresses to outgrow!”
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Post by Bee on Apr 21, 2010 10:34:33 GMT
haha bloody hell
this is just what i needed to be honest! a Indy, Bridget story..
thanks Sophie (:
cant wait for more
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