Part 11
The next day I decided to expose the children to the rest of humanity and took them for a walk along Southbank. They wanted to practice flying, but I instilled on them the importance of appearing normal and they accepted for now it would be a strange thing to do if no one else could do it.
I had a think about how easily I was accepting this strange pair of twins who could almost speak from birth- but were totally reliant on me for everything — I presumed.
I tethered them in the stroller which meant hauling them flat since babies of a few weeks old were normally unable to do anything at all except eat, cry and poo.
*Mummy, please let us sit up we can’t see out otherwise.* Ruth complained bitterly — I almost thought they were going to cry but they refrained when I gave them a hard stare.
I loved them with all I had, but they were going to be a handful if I didn’t keep them under control.
Eventually we got out onto the street and I got some sun on my face for the first time in a few weeks. I sat at a bench overlooking the river and relaxed in the sun filtered through the bougainvillea growing over the trellis nearby.
One or two passing ladies took a peek into the stroller to see the kiddies and smile at me — “how old?” was the usual question. “Nearly four weeks.” Was my oft repeated answer.
One lady said, “they seem much older than that with their steady gaze.” I smiled.
“They seem to keep each other company and aren’t in the least fractious.” I replied.
“They say twins often have a mental bond with each other.” The lady continued. “Like they’re telepathic.”
“It seems to be so, but I think that’s with identical twins — these are only fraternal one boy and one girl.” I sidelined the conversation. I didn’t want ANYONE thinking even momentarily that I had mentalist children.
“They seem very knowing, almost like they understand me.” I wanted the lady to move on so I gave her a mental nudge. Even so it was a minute or two before she got the mental hint and moved on.
I looked into the cot and the twins smiled at me, *were we good, mummy?*
“Very good my darlings, see how easily you could be discovered just by a passing stranger?” I felt them nod in my head; a strange experience since there was no other thought form.
When we arrived back at the apartments, the concierge greeted me with, “This lady is from the Social Services.” He turned away to carry on with his work as a tall thin lady rose from the sofa against the wall opposite to greet me.
“Good afternoon Miss Cartwright,’ she seemed to sneer down her nose at my single status. “I have come to check on the babies’ health and circumstances.”
“Oh, and what circumstances would those be then?” I asked frowning at her peremptory attitude.
“Just to make sure the babies are being properly cared for.” I frowned again and looked at her. I was about to give her a mental command to rack off but thought better of it.
“Well, these are my little cherubs,” I indicated to the waspish woman. She peered into the stroller and my two little darlings peered back at her. I got the feeling watching the woman’s face that the expressions my two gave weren’t entirely beneficent. I didn’t feel any mental push, but the woman seemed a little disconcerted.
“These babies are 4 weeks old?”
“Thereabouts, four weeks next Tuesday actually.” I answered easily, smiling at them and her as if butter wouldn’t melt in my mouth — whereas I could probably melt hi-temp Lithium grease if the truth be known. “I’m Helen, these are Ruth and Paul.” I introduced them and me.
“Mary Sutcliffe, “she offered her hand. “I’ll be popping in now and then as time goes by to check on their progress. Can I see your apartment, it’s one of the things I have to tick off — suitability for bringing up children.” She sneered again.
I was getting a little annoyed, “If you must. Come this way.” I walked to the lift and pressed the button.
When I got to the apartment, the door opened and Andrew ushered us inside. “Good afternoon ma’am, I trust you had a pleasant walk?”
The nose on the old crone wrinkled in distaste — she wasn’t used to being upstaged.
“My butler, Andrew.” I walked in and popped my parasol in the stand and bent to unclip the babies,
“I see you have a guest ma’am, will she be taking tea?” Andrew stood positioned to intercede on my behalf if I said one word.
“No Andrew, she’s not staying, she just wants to check my babies are safely housed.”
At that I turned and raised an eyebrow at her. As if to say, ‘do you really expect to walk into my house?’
“Well I would like to see the babies’ room?”
“Why?”
“To check its suitability.” She was trying to see through into the living area through the double entry doors from the hall. Andrew was blocking her view.
“I think you’ve invaded my privacy quite enough don’t you?”
“Well I need to check them off my list” She tried to inveigle her way in, Andrew stood implacably before her.
“I think you can safely say that this apartment is sufficiently well maintained as not to put the babies in jeopardy.” Andrew stated diffidently as I walked away from her with one baby in each arm.
“No I must insist,” Mary complained. I saw Paul look at her and then Mary blanched a little and held her tummy. “Well I’ll tick it off for now, but I’d like to see it next time.”
She backed off and Andrew let her out. “Have a good day ma’am.” Andrew said as he closed the door on her ass.
“Andy, please ask the concierge to make sure the woman has an appointment before she’s let in again.”
“Very good ma’am.” Andy smiled and lifted the phone. After a minute the phone beeped again. Andrew answered it then put it down again.
“The concierge spoke to her about future arrangements before she left ma’am.”
The last thing I wanted was for the putrid old wart to turn up at the door when I was on the lunar base.
“Paul dear, what did you do to the lady?” I looked him in the eye. He had the grace to blush — not yet 4 weeks and his sense of right and wrong was already established.
*Just made her feel sick a bit.* Paul whispered in my head.
“Best to leave things like that to me dear, she might connect you with something nasty and start to get funny ideas.”
“K mummy.” Paul managed to grip my neck and give me a hug.
Comments
Return to Sender - Part 11
Waspish woman? Where is her stinger?
May Your Light Forever Shine
Well...
She is Social Services. Isn't that enough of a sting?
Hey...no fair!
...I was a social worker at one time. That stung!
Love, Andrea Lena
Sorry
But in your experience as a social worker you never found someone who needed a sting?
If you check my other posts I have nothing against social workers and support their existence. Mostly they do a lot of good but when they get it wrong they CAN cause disasters.
Social workers can have a lot of power. They do indeed have quite a sting. This only becomes an issue (with me) when it is misused.
Bees sting too but they make good honey...
Oh gosh, I wasn't upset ....
Sorry...Yes, I was a social worker at one time, but I didn't mean for that to be taken so seriously. You're certainly right about what can happen when social workers get it wrong. No offense taken at all, and I apologize for being less than clear.
Love, Andrea Lena
That seems an odd practice
I'm having fun reading this story. The lady from social services paying a visit seems odd. I don't remember the location so perhaps its common there but in the US social services doesn't get involved unless it's an adoption, foster care or someone reported abuse. Does social services get involved in every family in some countries? seems harsh to me. Could be something else is going on...
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Jenna
Who called?
Unless Social Services makes a habit of visiting every new mother (which I somehow doubt) what or who triggered the visit? This sets off all sorts of alarm bells for me. "Danger! Danger!"
"Life is not measured by the breaths you take, but by the moments that take your breath away.”
George Carlin
It is Australia.
Since it is Australia there will probably be several visits by various people. Mostly just to offer help if it is needed. Since she is a single mother there are many benefits and much aid that can (and will) be provided. The "nanny" state - which is really not so bad if you DO need help (and most single parents do).
But, I repeat . . .
WHO called? She's been on the moon with the kids all this time, yet the first day or so she's back social services knows she's there, unmarried with two kids, knows where to find her, and manages to get a caseworker on the job. Such efficiency in a governmental agency strikes me as very unusual.
"Life is not measured by the breaths you take, but by the moments that take your breath away.”
George Carlin
Author's note
There's a situation that is coming to light that if you don't visit a social welfare point or doctor with your children, almost from the word go, you are in some kind of special case bracket and they hound you until you kowtow.
They expect you to turn up with child/ren to be wieghed and poked and prodded - very much an intrusive welfare state here in Qld - it's a power thing which is self generating in the welfare system.
As I said...
It is Australia. It is what is to be expected here. Remember that we have a national health system. They pay all the bills and have all the information. Worked quite well for my three kids. My eldest just graduated in Law, my other two are still working on their degrees. This is not attributable to me but their own efforts, scholarships, and the assistance of Social Services. I am not going to complain about the nanny state and "invasiveness" when they were not that invasive and my children had opportunities I could not have provided. The attitude here (Australia) is different.
However I doubt WHO called. This is all handled at state and federal levels. No UN involvement necessary (It's a joke, Joyce).