Outside, where the sun shines.

Today I woke earlier than usual, as I straightened my back against the headboard, my trusty alarm clock chimed for half past five. Camilla did not stir, she led next to me, still fast asleep. I slowly stretched, then stood up ever so carefully, trying not to rock the bed. My sleep patterns have been disturbed recently, I have had nights when I hardly sleep, then when I do sleep, tossing and turning seems to be apparent. As I stood I could feel that my pyjama bottoms had twisted. I adjusted them, making them straight again then walked into the bathroom. My hair was all ruffled, almost giving me the look of a mad scientist, or even someone who has just been electrocuted. I patted it down with a damp cloth then reached for my toothbrush. Suddenly I noticed that I had my pyjama top was on inside out. I must have been so tired last night, so tired that I couldn't even be bothered to turn my clothes in the correct way. I had set the alarm clock to the earlier time of half five for one reason, today was my first day off for a couple of weeks so I wanted to make the most of it.

I splashed my face with the luke warm water that had gathered in the sink then finished brushing my teeth. Wiped my face with the nearby towel. I was finally beginning to wake up. I pulled out the plug, the water drained away causing a mini whirlpool and releasing sounds similar to that of a gargle. I turned to exit the bathroom, towel still to my face, but quickly dropped the towel after being poked by little fingers. Freddie stood in front of me.

'Good morning!' I said as I lifted him up.

I was met with a most gargantuan yawn which was followed by a small cheeky smile. 'Is mummy awake?'

'No, and neither should you, its still very early! I replied as we walked back into his bedroom.

Freddie was a very light sleeper, we're not really sure who he inherited that from because Camilla and I could sleep through almost anything. Its only sounds from the children that tend to wake us. Then its only normally one of us, never both. I clambered into bed with him to try and help him drift back off to sleep, but I was fighting a losing battle, his eyes were as wide as an open book. I caved, we got up and both got dressed, ready to tackle the day ahead.

The day had not quite woken itself, it was still very dark and damp. We sat at the foot of the garden, collecting the few ripe fruits from my lacklustre crops. I started to grown our own food many months ago, after being told to do so by Sister Monica Joan. I have to admit, gardening does not come to me easily. I don't seem to have enough patience. Now, Freddie and Edie can spend all the hours of the day potting up plants or digging holes in the soil, but because of the way our garden is they don't get the chance.

Although the garden is a good space we haven't really got anything in it. A medium sized shed filled with tools that have never been used, sits along the back wall, next to the back gate. Wild Strawberry and Raspberry plants line the side of the shed. Then at the other side of the gate, lies a bench and I'm sure that this bench has seen better days. Missing planks and rotten legs make it look pitiful. In the right hand corner we have an apple tree, a very old and withered tree, barely producing any edible apples, all it provides us with is a gentle bit of shade when the sun is high. Then to finish off this dismal garden is our poor attempt at a vegetable garden. Two hand made flowerbeds full of dry and brittle soil, willow poles pushed in to provide the plants with some support, buckle under the pressure of a tiny stem wrapping itself around them. Many people would have given up on this garden, condemned it as a failure but not me. My family loves the outdoors, so it is my job to provide them with a space that allows them to grow not only plants but their own personality and interests.

'What are we doing daddy?' Freddie asked as he gobbled one of the ripest strawberries.

'I want to get the garden looking spick and span son, are you up for a little hard grafting?' I replied, venturing into the unknown of the shed. He followed me both excited at what we might find.

We found many items stashed away in the shed, mostly being a selection of bucket and spades from the numerous beach trips, but the one thing that surprised me was Freddie's old rocking horse. This piece of furniture was very special to Camilla and I, it was a christening present from my brother. It brings both joy and sadness to my heart, but we won't get into that just now, it's in the past and should stay there.

I planned on putting the horse back into it's hiding place but Freddie was very keen to test the old thing. 'Can I have a go daddy? Please daddy!?'

The sky had turned to a silvery grey, I knew that the clouds were about to burst, so I thought maybe a small project to pass the time was in need. I gave Freddie a small brush and a tin of white gloss paint, shut up the shed and picked up the horse. We walked into the kitchen just as the rain started to pour.

'We had a lucky escape Fred!' I said as I plonked the horse down on the kitchen floor.

'What's the paint for daddy?' He asked as he mounted the horse.

'We're going to re-paint it, you must admit it looks a tad shabby?'

'Dad, I want Edie to have it!' Freddie is always looking for ways to cheer up or please his younger sister, he makes me the proudest father in Poplar, and maybe even the proudest father in England.

He smiled as I picked him up off of the horse and lifted him up to reach the old sheet we keep on the top shelf of the pantry. We laid the sheet onto the floor and started to paint the faded horse. Its original colour was a charcoal black, with the odd white patches. I only had a small tin of white and a smidge of black so Edie's horse was going to be the opposite pattern. Together we took it in turns to paint the horse, and by quarter past six it looked brand new.

'We need to find somewhere for it to dry and somewhere it will be out of sight, the girls will be up any minute.' I said as I put away the paint and brushes.

'The shed!' Freddie said as he opened the back door.

It was no longer raining, the sun had emerged from it cloudy bed and shone upon the gardens of Poplar, drying up any remains of the downpour. Said downpour seemed to be the earth's way of washing away the night, now allowing the sun to resume its daily duties.

'Good idea!' I whispered as I touched the horse trying to establish the driest parts on which I could touch in order to carry it out to the shed.

Freddie followed with the sheet and walked on ahead to open the door, as soon as the horse was in safely, we shut the door and walked back into the kitchen. We were met by Camilla and Edie, the second alarm of half six waking the two.

'What are you to up to?' Quizzed Camilla as she walked closer to us.

'Nothing mummy!' Freddie quickly answered.

'We've been picking strawberries my dear!'' I added as I showed her the punnet of strawberries.

She just winked at us and placed Edie into her highchair. 'What does a girl have to do to get some breakfast?'

I took this as a hint to get the breakfast started, the garden will have to wait, let's just hope the sun continues to shine.