It was a bit of a rough night. The neighbours had a party, not too terrible, but we were aware of it until quite late. Then a weather change hit, with rapid cooling and strong winds buffeting the house. Someone’s recycling bin blew down their driveway, rattling and bumping, then apparently walked back up to the top so it could have another go. And another. In the early hours of the morning, Fainjin had a bad dream and came running to our room. He climbed into my side of the bed and went to sleep on my arm, which also went to sleep. About 5am I decided he could go back to his room. “No, not my bed! Mummy’s bed!” he said as I covered him with his quilt. I held my breath, lest he wake Babess, but he was already asleep.
I didn’t think I would get back to sleep. At 6 I turned on my light and picked up my book. But somehow, I drifted off. It was about 7:30 before the children woke up and came looking for us. Their Dad – bless him! – got up and got breakfast for them all, leaving me to sleep. I think I was more unconscious than asleep. I vaguely remember him chuckling as he removed a small pile of “gifts” that Babess had lovingly put on my chest while I lay oblivious.
Slowly, as I came to, I became aware of the sounds of children playing. I’m pretty sure they had been coming in to talk to me while I was asleep, completely unfazed by receiving only a grunt or nothing at all in reply. There was also a cup of tea steaming on my bed-side table. By now, Pearl was directing, assigning roles and laying out a plot. Fainjin came in to tell me about it. “Mummy! Fainjin is a prince!”
So is your Dad, sweetheart.
