Single Father [L.S]

trois

Harry was tapping away on his phone, answering a few emails from his teachers, occasionally glancing at the clock. It was almost four o'clock, so the parking lot was starting to fill up with parents picking up their kids. Harry decided to move closer to the door so that the two Tomlinson girls he was babysitting again tonight would notice him directly and not wander off too far. Although their father called on his services almost daily, he only saw him in passing when Evelyn and Penelope and their little brother were asleep. Surely he was meddling in what was none of his business, but having not noticed a maternal presence, he worried about balance. He had no doubt that Louis Tomlinson was a loving father, but every time Harry came looking for Penelope and Evelyn, he saw a hint of disappointment in their eyes.

The shrill sound of the pre-recorded bell rang out into the street, and Harry was sure that these bells had been created by torturers to make the students suffer even when announcing the end of a day. Too happy to be done with school, dozens of students rushed out of the school like a flock of sheep fleeing a big bad wolf. Harry looked around at the students looking for the two sisters.

-Hello Harry," Evelyn's soft voice rose as she joined her babysitter.

-Hi Evelyn, did you have a good day? Harry asked as he grabbed his bag decorated with colorful pine trees. I came by to pick up your snack," he added, handing Evelyn a bag from the local bakery containing two giant chocolate chip cookies.

The girl jumped on his neck, thanking him. Evelyn quickly bit into her cookie, sitting on the bench across from Harry, who was looking for the younger Tomlinson sister.

-It's not fair! Why is Evelyn eating a cookie? I want cookies too!

As usual, Penelope threw herself into Harry's legs, but this time with a whimper as she saw her sister eating a cupcake. But now he was ready and knew how to handle her tantrums. Harry bent down and put a second cookie under her nose, which Penelope quickly caught in her plump hands. As she munched on her snack, Harry quickly wiped away the few tears that were beading in the corner of her eyes. Then with a bag over his shoulder and holding Penelope and Evelyn's hands, he walked them to their apartment.

It was a good thing the Tomlinson's building wasn't far from the school because he couldn't stand another minute with Penelope pulling so hard on his arm that Harry almost thought she was going to tear it off. So it was with relief that, after a short detour to the nursery to pick up Gabriel, Harry pushed open the front door. Penelope, like the little ball of energy that she was, had thrown herself on the couch and claimed that she didn't want to do her homework and that it was useless anyway. Harry took a deep breath, he was going to have to be patient tonight.

[...]

-And the table of five? Have you learned it yet?

Harry finished installing Gabriel in his baby chair next to him while Penelope, sitting in front of them, recited without much enthusiasm this famous table of five which however easy seemed so complicated to him to retain. Harry concealed a small amused smile when he saw Evelyn's frown every time her little sister made a mistake.

-I'll never get it right. complained the little girl.

-You could if you learned without your Nintendo hidden in your notebook.

-Tattle-tale!

Evelyn stuck out her tongue, which almost caused the little girl to cry for the umpteenth time. Fortunately, Harry put the preheated meal their father had prepared on the table to avoid an argument. Unexpectedly, dinner went smoothly. Evelyn told the plot of the book she was reading - Matilda by Roald Dahl - while Gabriel chirped happily, fidgeting in his high chair when he heard someone laugh.