The Daily Dormouse. (aka Bike) Part 1821 by Angharad Copyright © 2012 Angharad All Rights Reserved.

“Are we going to do the dormice, Mum?” asked Danny when he got home from school.

“No, I did them earlier.”

“Oh,” he said and looked very disappointed. “Is that bloke still on the loose?”

“Uh, I think they caught him earlier,” I fibbed, well I knew they caught him earlier.

“Oh good, wouldn’t want to run into him again–ugly sod.”

“Danny, please don’t use language like that in the house, you know what Puddin’ is like.”

“Yeah, small and furry.”

“No dear, that’s Kiki or Bramble.”

“I was close though, wasn’t I?”

“Not really.”

“If we’re not dormousing can I go out on my bike for a bit?”

I pretended to think about it for a moment or two then said, “Want some company?”

“What you–on the bike?” he gasped.

“Yes, I have ridden one before, you know.”

“Not ’arf.” He fairly ran upstairs to change so I thought I’d better do so as well.

We slipped away without the others noticing–the other children, that is–and set off up the bike path. A little later we were heading out of Portsmouth and over towards Hayling Island. We didn’t get there because I knew David wanted to serve dinner at about half past six to seven and Simon and Sammi would be back by then as well. The nights were also drawing in rather too quickly and with Saturday the Autumnal Equinox as well as the Women’s World Road Race championship, we turned back and got home at just after six.

A quick shower and I changed into a skirt and top, however, my feet seemed cold, so I pulled on a pair of long socks and some boots. It felt odd to be wearing boots in the house, but the weather was getting cooler, and my top reflected that–an acrylic sweater over a polo shirt.

Julie and Phoebe were sitting in the lounge watching something on telly when I walked past. “Good grief,” said Julie loudly.

I stepped quickly into the room, “What’s the matter?” I asked.

“You–you’re wearing a skirt.”

“Don’t be so rude,” said Phoebe elbowing her.

“I wear skirts when the mood takes me.”

“Obviously doesn’t take you very often then,” Julie smirked as she accused me.

“That is so rude,” Phoebe elbowed Julie again.

“Why is it of any consequence to you whether I wear trousers or skirts?” I demanded of Julie.

She shrugged and said, “Because you look half tidy today,” and shrugged again. Phoebe sat with her mouth wide open and shook her head. I suppose I had just been on the receiving end of a backhanded compliment.

Si and Sammi arrived as David was getting a little agitated about dishing up the dinner, so with everyone here, we could eat. Afterwards, because he was going out, David left the clear up to me. I did get some help from the girls–especially Trish and Livvie, but Julie and Phoebe seemed to have some big secret and left as soon as we finished eating.

I sat with Simon listening to Sammi, who was becoming more natural in her new role by the day. Simon had bought her a couple of new outfits for work–she’d gone with one of his secretaries–and bought two really nice suits with two new blouses to wear under them.

“You were lucky,” I said to her not really envious of her good fortune.

“Wasn’t I, just? I bought some new bras as well–I’ve grown a bit since I had the hormones.” She blushed as she said this and looked very young and innocent.

“I’m not sure I need to know that,” said Simon and he picked up the newspaper and went to sit in the lounge.

“Did I embarrass, Daddy?” she asked.

“I doubt it.”

“Should I go and apologise?”

“What for? He knows you’re taking them, the slightest wit would tell him they’re going to affect your body, especially where fat gets redistributed, so don’t take any notice of him.”

“I’d hate to upset him, he’s so kind to me.”

I went to the fridge, “Here, take him that, he’ll love you forever.” I handed her a bottle of light beer.

I made some tea and poured myself a mug and one for Sammi, who came back several minutes later.

“I hope you didn’t apologise,” I said.

She blushed very deeply, “I um, told him I wouldn’t say things like that again in front of him.”

“What did he say?”

“He told me he wasn’t embarrassed and that he was just pulling my leg.”

I shook my head, miserable sod. “Anything else?”

“How d’you mean?”

“Did he say anything else?”

“Um,” the blush returned, “He said he was pleased I needed a new bra.”

I glowered, I’ll have words with him later about unnecessary conversations. We’d just settled down to Sammi saying about the stuff she saw in Miss Selfridge when Julie and Phoebe came down.

“Can we talk with you, Mummy?” asked Julie.

“Want me to go?” asked Sammi. I looked at Julie who shrugged.

“No, it’s okay to stay. Fire away,” I invited Julie, Phoebe looked most uncomfortable.

“Okay, you know Phoebe lost her mum?”

It was hardly a state secret and I had taken her in while Neal sorted things out at home. I had a feeling about what was coming next.

“Look, Phoebe can’t stay at home on her own.”

“Yes.” I said and Sammi smirked.

“So I was wondering if she could like, stay here for a bit anyway?”

“Yes,” I said quietly again.

“She’ll have to find a school and things but, it’s only for a while, like.”

“Yes,” I said and Sammi started to chuckle.

“So what d’you think? Can she stay a bit, like longer?”

“Do you want to?” I addressed Phoebe directly.

She blushed and nodded, “Yes please.”

“Okay,” I nodded back for emphasis.

“She won’t be any both...what?” Julie stopped in mid sentence. “Is that a yes?”

“No, it’s about the fourth yes. Have you spoken to Neal?”

“No, not yet, we wanted to speak to you first,” Julie had taken on responsibility as spokesperson.

“Well, you better had and soon, it’s getting late–I’ll need his agreement before we can firm this up, all right?”

“Yeah, course.”

“So, when you finish, you’d better let me speak with him.” I wasn’t going to be embarrassed by two teenagers.

I got the youngsters to bed while they called Neal and left them with Sammi who was reading them a new Gaby book–a new experience for her.

“Hello, Neal, they’ve obviously spoken to you?”

“Hi, Cathy, look this is awfully good of you. I need to sell this place and use some of the money to get a bigger place, then she can come to stay with Glo and me.”

“That’s between you and her, meanwhile she can stay here and I’ll try and see what’s available in the way of schools.”

“She said something about doing hairdressing at college–since she’s been with Julie, she said she really liked it.”

“There is a tertiary college here where Julie goes, is that what she really wants to do? I thought she was reasonably academic?”

“It’s what she said she wants.”

“Okay, I’ll give them a call tomorrow.”

“Thanks, Cathy, I owe you one for this.”

“No you don’t, Neal, she’s a nice kid and fits in quite well with the other inmates of the asylum.” He roared the other end of the phone and we ended the call.

Looks like I’ve got another mouth to feed–oh well, my mother did tell me I’d have lots of kids–if we get any more I’m going to start charging for admission.