"Charlie, get your bag ready , we're going to school in a minute" Olly shouted. Olly was a single dad to Charlie, the result of a 2 week fling, since he was 2 years old, when his mum died of an accidental overdose and Olly being the only family Charlie had inherited him.
It was the last day of the school term before the summer holidays, before Charlie moves up into the 4th year at Acrewood Primary School. "Dad are we going to do some fun things this summer together?" Charlie said. "Maybe we can champ, before I go to America to work next month" Olly exclaimed.
Olly was adored by millions, teenagers, mothers and menopausal women, guys wanted to be him, girls wanted to be with him. A musician who found his fame on a tv talent show, who worked his arse off for two years in the UK before he got the phone call he had been dreaming of his own life, that they wanted to launch him into America. This would mean spending a long month promoting and releasing music this summer.
Charlie made his way down the stairs with his collar still tucked into his jumper and his crisp white shirt untucked. Olly said "Come here scruff bag" moving and untucking his white shirt and making sure his collar was folded out of his jumper and looking smart, "that looks better". Olly took Charlie to school wearing his tracksuit and his baseball cap to hide his uncombed hair and to vaguely disguise himself. He didn't take Charlie to school very often, it was usually left to Olly's mum, Dawn who as been such a good support system since Olly has had him. But as he had a rare day off, he thought he should take him. Whilst it took a usual person 10 minutes to walk to school, not for Olly and Charlie; Olly's presence on the way was being stopped as soon as they walked out of their front door, "Can I have an autograph?" "Can I have a photograph?" these was the usual questions asked on a daily basis for Olly, it was normality for him. It was the same while walking through the school gates. "Daddy we're going to be late" Charlie said in a hurried voice. Olly looked at his watch "Sorry girls, I have to do my daddy duties" he hated to disappoint his fans, "I should be back later though". They ran to Charlie's classroom.
Olly helped Charlie into his classroom making sure that his bag and coat was on his hook. "Mrs Wright, my daddy bought me to school today", Olly shook Mrs Wright's hand "nice to see you, Charlie has really enjoyed being in your class" Olly said. He passed Charlie a teacher gift to her. "Mrs Wright, this is for you, thank you for teaching me" Charlie said. He passed a lovely pearlesque pendant on a chain. "That is a beautiful necklace, thank you so much" Mrs Wright said.
"Right Charlie, daddy has got to go" Olly said. "Oh look Daddy there's Tommy, he is my best friend" Charlie shouted. Tommy was standing there waving Charlie over to come and play with him. Tommy wasn't with his parents, he had been dropped off earlier as had since left. Since Olly has never known any of Charlie's friends, he came over and said "Hello, I'm Charlie's daddy", he said whilst squatting down to the same level to get a look at him and shook his hand, "Your Olly Murs, my mum love you" Tommy said. Olly laughed and chuckled to himself "Oh really, that's nice". "Right champ, dad has to go now, you learn lots on your last day" Olly bent down and kissed his forehead, "I'll pick you up later" and he messed and patted Charlie's hair along with Tommy "Play nicely guys" as he walked out. Tommy said to his best friend "Your dad is nice but he messed my hair up" Charlie just laughed.
Tommy was a product of a broken home. His dad Michael, left the family home when Tommy was 4 weeks old, never to look back and see the 8 year old lad that he has turned out to be. Tommy lives with his mum, Lisa, who would do just about anything for him. They live in a small 2 bedroom home close to where he goes to school. Lisa has always wanted the best for Tommy, not letting him do without things. She took and picked up Tommy from school everyday and in her spare time she had retrained her career to a legal secretary. Her employer was very understanding of her situation of wanting to be there to see her child grow up and to spend time with him, she was allowed school holidays and school events off as holidays. She was indispensable to the company. She was naturally beautiful, long wavy blond hair which was always neatly tied up and the brownest eyes you had ever seen. Tommy was alot like her in her looks and personality; both being laid back, friendly, approachable and helpful. She had stayed single since Michael had left, she didn't really like to trust men. She would often wonder if he missed a father role model for Tommy, but as her own dad was around alot he was the best man for the job. He wouldn't let them down. She thought it was best to keep busy, and keep the inevitable questions from Tommy which will eventually come; Where is my daddy? What have I done wrong? Mummy can you find me a new daddy? Those questions hadn't been asked yet but it was only a matter of time before they did.
"Charlie, do you miss your mummy?" Tommy asked, Charlie replied more wise than his years "I was 2 when she died, I don't really remember much about her". "Do you want a new mummy?" Tommy questioned. "I think I have my nanny, she looks after me most of the time, so she is like my mummy, but I do think my dad gets lonely sometimes, when he is at home that is. Like when we go to friends they all have girlfriends or wives and he is the only one without one" Charlie explained. "I wished I had a daddy, my mum don't know that I sometimes hear her crying at night when I am in bed, I think having a daddy will make her smile more". Tommy carried on.
"Tommy Orchard" Mrs Wright read out the register, "Good Morning Mrs Wright" Tommy replied. "Charlie Murs" Mrs Wright carried on. They stopped their conversation at the start of their school day.
At lunchtime, the picked up their conversation of where they left off. Charlie said " Do you think your mummy would like my daddy", "She loves Olly Murs of course she would" Tommy responded. " Yes but I mean your mum will be my new mum and my dad will be your new dad too" Charlie plotted. "That is a great idea we get to spend more time together and we will be brothers" Tommy followed. "Ok, so how shall we do this? we need to get them to see each other, what about the adventure park we can go off and play and leave them to talk" Charlie stated. "So when can we go to the Adventure Park? Tuesday? we will meet you there, but we wont tell them you are going too" Tommy said excitedly. The lunch bell rang, and in they went for the rest of the school day. Since it was the last day of term, they played games in the afternoon. Before they left Charlie and Tommy stuck their thumbs up at each other knowing their plan is now in action.
Lisa was first to pick Tommy up giving Charlie a wave at the door, she quite often had him round for tea, but only ever talked to Dawn. As they walked away to the gate she turned to Tommy and said "Good day babes?" "Yes mum I had a great last day, now we have lots of things to do over the summer" Tommy said.
Olly was a little late picking Charlie up from his class, he was finishing up where he left off signing autographs and having photos done that he promised earlier in the day. "Good day champ?" "Yep dad I had a good day, you know you said we can do things together before you go to America, can we go to the Adventure Park on Tuesday?" Charlie asked. "Sure champ, anything you want to do, we will do" Olly smiled.
