The Ten Year First Date

Telling Cassie

As I predicted, sleep wholly evaded me that night. I tossed and turned until I threw in the towel a good hour before the sun came up. I threw the covers off and frankly didn't care if I made a noise as I thundered down the stairs towards the kitchen. Ben had to text me the night before and told me not to go to work until I was ready which, for once in my life, I was actually grateful for. Another round of The World According To Ben Hawkins, no matter how well-intentioned and I would have been up on a murder charge! I needed time to myself, and vast amounts of comfort food.

I entered the kitchen and started opening and shutting cupboards with wilful abandon, only just realising that maybe this was the anger stage and I was taking it out on the handcrafted teak. Yes, I imagined that the cupboard doors were Jeannie's head. And if this was going to work, I had to get that image out of my head immediately! Eventually, after a full search, I ended up with half a packet of Jaffa Cakes and a week old dry bagel for 'breakfast'. It wasn't much, and it wasn't nutritious, but at that point, I really didn't care. I grabbed a can of coke for myself, walked into the living room and dropped myself onto the sofa like a brick. Anger had seemed to have made way for depression rather quickly thanks to my old excuse for a brain which, I cursed as I started tearing into my bagel.

I had been feeling incredibly sorry for myself for around an hour when I heard a tiny set of footsteps coming down the stairs to join me. I hugged my Jaffa Cakes to me for fear that the steps would take them away from me. To my surprise, the footsteps didn't belong to a biscuit munching monster, but my niece, who eyed me with confusion.

'What are you doing up Uncle Harry?' she asked, folding her little arms. Great, The Spanish Inquisition from a six-year-old!

'I could ask you the same thing, little lady.' I answered, trying to play her at her own game.

'I thought you were mum.' Ella answered, joining me on the sofa and eyeing up my Jaffas. 'She gets us up for school.'

'You don't have to go to school for a while though.' I said, looking at her confused.

'No.' she answered, shaking her head. 'But my body clock is messed up.' I looked at her wondering how a six-year-old would know about body clocks!

'Why don't you go back to bed sweetie?' I said, ruffling her hair slightly. 'I won't tell your mum.'

'Why are you down here?' she asked again.

'I just couldn't sleep sweetie.' I lied. 'I'll probably go back to bed in a minute.'

'Are you upset?' Ella asked, look up at me.

'Why did you ask that?' I asked, confused.

'I heard mum and dad talking.' she answered. 'Josh did too. They said Auntie Jeannie upset you. Is it true?' I sighed and nodded, admitting defeat.

'Yes sweetie, she did upset me. But it's all going to be good I promise. Everything will be back to normal soon.'

'Why did she upset you?'

'Oh, sweetheart.' I said, sighing. 'Sometimes, adults like mummy and daddy they, well they don't get on. They upset each other without meaning to. Me and Auntie Jean had a bit of a row, but we are talking again now. Like I said, everything will be back to normal soon. So don't you worry, ok?'

'Ok.' Ella nodded, as she jumped off the sofa. 'I'll go back to bed now.'

'Good girl.' I smiled before I was taken by surprise by an unexpected and frankly rare Ella hug.

'I love you Uncle Harry.' she said, before scampering off back up the stairs. As I heard the door of Ella's bedroom gently shut, I smiled in the knowledge that at least one woman in the world loved me.