Alfie woke up to the ringing alarm clock on his bedside table. He finally managed to open his eyes after the third time of hitting the snooze button. It's like he didn't want to wake up to another day. But that was it. This wasn't just any other day. This was the day he turned fifty-one. For some, birthdays are considered a blessing, celebrating another year on earth but for Alfie, this just simply meant he was getting older.

He lay on his back in the empty bed, staring at the ceiling contemplating about his life, when he was interrupted with Bert and Ernie's cries from downstairs and Kat shouting at Tommy to get him to finish his cereal. And that was all the motivation Alfie needed… the motivation to live another day for the family he loved with all his heart.

He decided to get out of bed and get dressed, and off downstairs he went. He knew the smile of his beautiful wife would cheer him up. Although, he did quite wonder… Kat always made a fuss when his birthday was coming up and Alfie was usually the one to tell her not to make a scene. But this time, she hadn't mentioned anything plus did not wake him up with a special breakfast in bed like she did every year. He tried not to over think, maybe she had a surprise downstairs.

"Morning!" Alfie smiled as he walked into the kitchen to see Kat seated at the table with Tommy and the twins by her side.

"Morning darlin'" Kat replied as she lifted her head up as Alfie leaned in for a kiss.

Alfie eyed the stove and notice there weren't any pans.

"So… no bacon and eggs today?" Alfie asked as he stood at the table, finding it weird having no birthday breakfast.

"No sorry, I woke up a bit late… and Tommy won't eat up and I'm still feedin' these two," Kat replied, feeding Ernie, "Stacey's on the stall already, and Nan went out to meet Fat Elvis so I have to take the kids at nursery myself," Kat ranted on.

Alfie turned round and put the kettle on. He couldn't believe she hadn't mentioned anything yet. Could it really be she forgot?

"Kat listen, Ian texted me this morning, he needs a bit of help at the restaurant for a day," Alfie said as he rested against the kitchen bench.

"Oh that's great! I hope he pays you good money… well… who am I kidding? This is Ian Beale, we're talking about!" Kat ranted on as she stood up.

"So you don't mind do ya?" Alfie asked again to test her.

"No of course not! We can't say no to a bit of extra cash, can we? I'm off darling… I'm already late as it is. See you later!" she said as she approached him and gave him a peck on the lips.

"See ya later…" Alfie uttered as Kat walked out of the kitchen with the kids.

Alfie still couldn't believe it. Not a word. She didn't even say happy birthday.

…

"Cheers darlin'" Kat told her customer before she wandered off.

"We've done pretty good this morning, didn't we?" Stacey asked Kat as she smiled.

"Very good!" Kat said as she pocketed the cash.

"Listen… it's Alfie's birthday today, ain't it?" Stacey jumped at the chance to ask her cousin, since they had no customers.

"Yeah, so?" Kat replied as she folded her arms, across her big black coat.

"Well… because he stopped by this morning on his way to Beale's… I think you were still at the nursery, and when I wished him a happy birthday, he said that I was the first one to tell him… you two alright?" Stacey explained.

"Course we are you daft cow! So was he bothered about it?" Kat leaned in, smiling.

"He seemed so yeah… what are you playing at?" Stacey asked confused.

"That's all part of the plan…" Kat said with a grin on her face.

"What plan? Kat you lost me…" Stacey gave up.

"Look it's midday and we haven't eaten anything yet… I'll explain to you over lunch .. come on…" Kat told Stacey as she took her money belt off, "Shrimpy… watch the stall for us, will ya? Cheers" and off they went for a girly chat at the café.

To be continued...