The Daily Dormouse. (aka Bike) Part 1019 by Angharad Copyright © 2010 Angharad All Rights Reserved.

I volunteered to go and get the girls which he seemed happy with, and I wanted to do some shopping as well. I left after lunch seeing as he was doing my chores for me–did that experience with the Russians change him? Duh–it’s Simon, and a Cameron never changes his pedigree (far too posh for spots).

I’d changed into a summer dress with a thin shower proof jacket over it just in case. However, the way the sun was shining, it was unlikely to get used. It didn’t, I left if on the passenger seat while I popped into one or two shops.

As I was coming out of one shop, I was sure I saw Julie walking ahead of me in a very busy conversation on her mobile phone. I wondered if that could be with someone I know rather intimately? I was willing to bet a pound to a penny it was, and by the animated conversation and her expression, it wasn’t going too well. Now then, do I let her see me or not?

She had walked straight past me, in her miniskirt and footless tights with a loose fitting shirt thing over the top of it. Her sequinned bag would give her away even if she was trying to hide.

I was looking for ideas for a new outfit, she was going in and out of antique shops. What had they broken? Perhaps it was Tom they should be hiding from, not me? I haven’t got any heirlooms at the house, well except the tablecloth and that was on the table. Wasn’t it? I thought for a moment–I’d straightened up the flower arrangement, was it there then? Sure it was–that’s why I had a vase of roses to match it. For a moment, my heart was all aflutter, then I calmed down.

I decided not to follow Julie, especially when I saw some interesting things in a little boutique that looked my sort of shop. It’s not true that women are born to shop, we can’t get there by ourselves until we’re old enough to be allowed out alone, and then there is the question of money. So it’s something most of us discover from seven or eight upwards. My girls love to shop, whereas the boys will for videogames or sports things–but we go there and straight back. They don’t much like to browse, which the girls do.

I looked at my watch–damn, I had to go and collect my pretties from their educational establishment. I turned back out of the shop doorway and nearly bumped straight into Julie.

“Mummy–um what are you doing here?”

“I could ask you the same question.”

“Um–I’m shopping.”

“Well there’s a surprise, I thought you were going to try walking across the harbour after curing Maureen the other night.”

“Me? I just sat and talked with her until they threw me out–you were still with the kids, so I got a taxi home.”

“I see, sorry about that–what’s in the bag?”

“Oh just a skirt.”

“Can I see it?” I asked knowing it was unlikely to be one.

“When I get home, I’m not sure I’m gonna keep it yet.”

“So show it to me then.”

“Um–I’d rather not until I’ve tried it with some other stuff.”

“Oh, okay–what colour is it?” I tormented her.

“It’s sort of red.”

“Long or short?”

“Haven’t you got to collect the girls?”

I looked at my watch, “Oops, yes, are you coming with me?”

“Um–no thanks, I want to look for a top.”

“Okay, see you later, sweetheart.” I hugged her and walked briskly back to my car.

I collected the girls and began my inquisition of Trish, “What was Daddy washing in the machine last night?”

“I dunno, he didn’t know which button to press to start it–he also hadn’t put any detergent in it.”
“Why not?”

“He thought ‘cos it says automatic, it does it all automatically by itself.”

“So you did it for him?”

“Yeah, Auntie Stella was upstairs sorting out Puddin’–I ‘spect she woulda known, wouldn’t she?”

I actually didn’t know, but I agreed with Trish’s surmise because it saved a whole load of discussion which would have been pure speculation.

“So, how was school today, girls?” I asked and we had a more meaningful conversation.

“Sister Maria gave me a note for you, Mummy.”

“Did she–you haven’t done anything, have you?”

“No, it’s about speech day I think.”

“When’s that?”

“End of June, I think she said.”

“So she told you what the letter was about?”

“No–I opened it and read it–course she told me.”

“Trish please don’t speak to me like that–it’s not nice.”

“Sorry, Mummy.”

“I should think so. Now if you get your homework done in time, I’ll order some pizzas.” They all shouted in support of the suggestion. I was pretty sure there was a jacket potato I could have. I just don’t like pizza–it’s junk on a cardboard base.

“What does Sister Maria want you to do, Mummy?” asked Trish.

“Present some prizes, I think, why?”

“Just wondered.”

“You pwesentin’ pwizes, Mummy?”

“Probably, I’ll have to check my diary and see if it clashes with doing the washing.”

Trish laughed loudly at this statement, closely followed by Livvie.

“Why’s you waffin’ at me?” protested Mima.

“We’re not, stoopid–we’re waffin’ at Mummy, she was jokin’–okay?”

“Trish, don’t be mean to your sister.”

“I wasn’t–she was being dim.”

“I’m not dim–you’re dim and stupid,” fired back Mima.

“Girls please. You are supposed to be gentlefolk, please act like it.”

This had all three of them laughing hysterically. Maybe I should try being a stand-up comedienne for kids–the secret is to say things which appear to be totally unfunny to me, and they howl with laughter. Come to think of it, so do most adults–mmm, back to the drawing pin–see what I mean?

I parked the car, and not having bought anything meant I didn’t have to carry it home. I followed the girls into the house where we met Julie. “Tried on the skirt?” I asked.

“No, I took it back, didn’t really like the colour.”

It was obvious she was lying, she avoided eye contact–although teenage girls tend to sneak eye contact, they usually look at their feet. However she was blushing and I just know she was lying–maybe it was the fact that her nose grew about four feet.

If her nose did grow four feet, would it start to run? I had no idea where that stupid question came from, but it sort of reminded me I had been a schoolkid.

I made the girls a drink and they went into the dining room to start their homework and I went to order the pizzas, when I mentioned it, Simon–bless him–offered to pay. Now I know something has happened.

The boys were already doing their homework on the table and they and the girls ignored each other. It puzzled me for a moment until I realised that was how they were–they didn’t acknowledge each other without a reason. Oh well.

I looked at the table, they had books propped up on my damask table cloth. “Don’t get ink on that cloth, will you?”

They all replied with a groan that they wouldn’t. “Wassup with ‘er?” asked Danny.

“Dunno–fell off her broomstick, I s’pose,” answered Trish. If I hadn’t been laughing so much I’d have punished her.

“You cheeky little maggot,” I chided her, which made them all laugh even more. “That cloth is a family heirloom and I don’t want ink on it–it’s supposed to be roses, not inkspots.”

“Funny lookin’ roses,” said Danny.

“What do you mean?”

“It’s birds and fairies.”

“What?” I gasped and walked up to the cloth. It was too. “SIMON,” I yelled but I think I just heard his car start.