"Matthew! Stay out of your father's study. You know he doesn't like you playing in there," Isobel called out to her son in a somewhat stern voice.
She heard his tiny foot steps come back into the sitting room. He was carrying his beloved toy horse and soldier, presents from last Christmas. Isobel continued to read her book as he settled down by her feet, occasionally bumping against her legs as he played. Suddenly he plopped next to her on the sofa and started to do anything he could to get her attention. She did her best to ignore him as he poked and prodded her arm and shoulder with his toys. Isobel sighed deeply and looked at her young boy.
"What is that you want, dear?"
Matthew shrugged. "I'm bored," he said finally.
"Are you? Well, then we must do something about that." She stood up. "Hmm...Why don't we put together that puzzle Uncle Edward gave you? The one with the knights and horses." She held out her hand for him to take, which he did. "Let's go get it from your room and bring it down here."
The two sat at opposite ends of the table in the sitting room, putting together the puzzle before Reginald got home for his supper and to say goodnight to his son. Matthew was quite fascinated by the individual pieces and Isobel had to remind him to put them where they fit. He was a bright boy, but he could also be easily distracted. Once the puzzle was compete, she noticed the proud expression on his face. She had helped him of course, but he had done most of the work himself.
"Alright then, time for your bath. Papa should be home soon."
Matthew sighed. He hated bath time. But putting up a fight made his mother quite cross. He allowed her to scoop him up into her arms to carry him upstairs. She smiled as he played with the brooch high on her neck. It was a sort of habit that he had, ever since he was a baby. Isobel found it so endearing.
"Why is Papa so late?"
"Because he is helping lots of people today. Making them feel better. Which book shall we read tonight?" She pulled one his old favorites off the shelf and saw him nod eagerly at her choice.
She lay on his bed next to him and he cuddled up to her as she began to read. She read to him nearly every evening. It was a part of their night-time routine which Isobel took seriously.
Once she had finished and closed the book, she saw her son's eyes fluttering as sleep started to overcome him. She got up and sat on the edge of the bed. "Alright, little lamb, it's bed-time."
"Can't I wait for Papa," Matthew pleaded.
"No, my darling, you'll see him at breakfast." Isobel kissed him goodnight. Before she she left the room, she paused at his door. "I'll have Papa come and kiss you goodnight when he comes home, but only if you are a good boy and you sleep until then."