The Daily Dormouse. (aka Bike) Part 1642 by Angharad Copyright © 2012 Angharad All Rights Reserved.

I went and comforted Jacquie who was now sitting in the kitchen. “What did the fat controller want? Me, I suppose?”

“I’m not quite sure insofar as he rubbed me up the wrong way, so he got Mrs Angry followed by Mr Intimidating. He went off in huff, threatening to report me to social services for employing you.”

“That’s easy enough to sort–I resign.” She rose from the table.

“Sit down, Jacquie! I need that in writing with six months notice.” She looked at me in astonishment then burst out laughing. “I know, I’m completely mad but I look after those I care about.”

“How can you care about me, you hardly know me?” Tears began to run down her face.

“I like what I know, and I believe everyone should be given the opportunity of redemption. That doesn’t mean I think you did what they accused you of, rather that you need to reintegrate into society to live as full a life as you can. If that makes me a pompous, arrogant woman in your eyes–so be it. I’m trying to help you as best I can.

“What if supporting me ruins your reputation?”

“What reputation?”

“I know you’re renowned for your dormouse studies, for making films, for adopting and loving difficult children, for your acting ability and public speaking–and for a bit of dormouse juggling.”

“I wondered if you’d seen that clip.”

“About four million people have.”

“And you think I have a reputation to protect?”

“Yes–there were rumours on the internet of some mysterious woman who has healed people like a certain New Testament character did, and who appears in Portsmouth and Southampton and one or two other places as well–always on the same days you were there.”

“That’s just a pure coincidence.”

“Like Clarke Kent being in the same place that Superman appears?”

“It’s just a malicious rumour that my real name is Clarke Kent,” I said with a dead pan face.

“You what?” She thought about my utterance and then started to chuckle, “You are completely barking.”

“Tell me something I don’t know.”

“Okay, how’s this–if you’re prepared to have me stay here and work with you–I’d love to.”

“That would make me very happy.”

“You are so much like the mother I’d wished I’d had.”

“Nah, I’m more your fairy godmother type.”

“No, you’re more like an angel–you know that Trish and Julie call you that, don’t you?”

“I know they’re awfully prone to exaggerate, and don’t let the facts spoil a good story.”

“They also said you had an awful problem with compliments. You know those kids would die for you, don’t you?”

“I hope they never have to prove it, or I for them.”

“Cathy, Mummy, whatever–you have one of the most loving and supportive families I could ever imagine. It all revolves round you because you give out so much love–it’s like radiation from some minor star–and you provide them with an opportunity to be themselves and love you back. You also give them boundaries, so they know how far they can push–and they do–but they feel safe with you, they feel loved and for the first time in their lives. I don’t know if you can appreciate how much that means to them–but it’s an enormous amount. And now, I feel so privileged to be part of this same family–it’s like all my dreams and Christmases happening together. The one thing I prayed for was for someone to be my mother,” she was now sobbing as she spoke.

I went to say something, but she raised her hand to silence me. “No, you have to hear this, all I ever wanted was a mummy to love me, to believe me so I could feel safe. You’ve provided this for me here. If I were to die tomorrow, at least I’d know what I’d been missing all those years. I’m so grateful, Mummy, I really am.” With that she threw herself at me and sobbed against my chest like a child while I held her and said soothing things.

I wasn’t comfortable with having an eighteen year old daughter given my own age, to have one of twenty was really pushing my buttons, but I let it go for now. This woman was so damaged after her experiences that my first priority was to stabilise her, let her explore her new environment, feel secure and safe, and then to grow from the damaged five year old who suffered all those years ago.

I held her for maybe half an hour, Simon looked in and went out again, so did two of the children. Finally, she pulled herself together enough to stand up and brush herself down with her hands.

“Look at me, I must be a complete mess.”

I smiled my reply.

“Thank you, Mummy, I do appreciate it.”

“Okay, now go and wash your face and tidy yourself up.”

She nodded, smiled at me and went upstairs.

“What was that all about?” asked Simon returning to the kitchen.

“Girl bonding. Don’t you do boy bonding with Danny?”

“Yeah, but we don’t cry and try to shrink each other’s clothes.”

“Maybe you should try it, it can be very liberating?”

“Um–I think I’m liberated enough.” He paused, “Scotland lost again–no surprise there then–come on get yourself and the kids tidied up, I’ve ordered a minibus to take us to the hotel for dinner–Dad’s paying.”

“Is he going to be there?”

“Yeah, with Monica for a change.”

“Oh, she’s back from buying up Europe then?”

“Looks like, she seemed to think for a few million she could buy half of Greece–Dad’s not impressed, because the wealthy Greeks have all come over here and are buying up bits of London.”

“Why is that a problem?”

“Well, part of his side of the extra-curricular activities is to acquire nice properties in West and North London and to sell them for profit, sometimes hanging on to them for long enough to create that profit, occasionally letting them out until they appreciate in value. It’s a rich man’s game.”

“I’ll bet it is.”

“I also want to speak to him about your friendly neighbourhood cop–Jason said we have to be careful, because if they think about it, they could have Jacquie’s licence revoked and they’d take her back into custody.”

“That’s monstrous,” I said loudly.

“She’s with children here–despite her innocence–she’s got a conviction. They could use the safety of the children to re-arrest her.”

“That could undo all the good I’ve been doing with her.”

“We’re talking about the forces of oppression, here.”

“Can’t Jason put some sort of blocking order on them doing that?”

“He suggests that we keep her under supervision at all times.”

“That’s like house arrest. I’m not at all happy about it.”

“So Dad’s going to speak with the Chief Constable tomorrow, see if he can rein back his horses a little.”

“That would be good.”

“He also said you need to be less aggressive with the bluebottles, so try not to upset them.”

“But that last one threatened to send social services round to take back the children.”

“Okay, but no leaving any bruises–okay?”

“Okay. I’ll round up the children and Jacquie, you go and tell Daddy.”

“I think he’s staying put, he’s ordered a chicken curry to be delivered at eight.”

I shook my head, “He must have guts made of asbestos.”

“Nah, it’s like fire clay, burn it often enough and really does become flameproof.”

I wasn’t going to challenge his erroneous assertion, fire bricks eventually crumble after multiple burnings but it’s only a metaphor for Daddy’s digestive system. I went to gather the troops and get myself smartened up.