'Matty, go and get the soccer ball.' Christian says as we go into the back yard.

'No Christian, I not play with that. It makes me puffed out.' I say.

'It's supposed to, otherwise you won't sit still when we have dinner.' He says.

'I sit nicely at lunchtime, Gracie said I did.' I say indignantly. Then run off towards the trees. Elliot and Christian follow me. 'You teach me to kick box Christian.'

'You're a demanding little thing. OK follow me and do what I do.' Christian says as Elliot lies on the grass and watches. I try so hard to copy what Christian is doing but find it difficult to balance properly, I end up falling over and rolling around giggling. Elliot tickles me and I try and shake him off to no avail. I have had enough but he won't stop. I sink my teeth into his hand and he pushes me away.

'Matty, that's really bad. You mustn't do that to anyone.' Elliot shouts.

'What did he do?' Christian asks.

'The little shit bit me.' Elliot says quietly to Christian but I hear him. They look at me with contempt.

'Go and find something to do on your own. We're going out the front to skateboard on the drive.' Christian says. 'Come on Elliot, let's leave him.'

'I is sorry. I not know it was bad.' I say.

'It's too late for that buddy. You hurt Elliot.' Christian says and they walk off to the front of the house. I lie on my front and contemplate what to do next. I get to my feet and wander over to the boathouse and start to climb the tree at the side, it has lots of low branches. I'm only about two branches up when I slip and fall out but I shake myself off and start again though my left arm is hurting. Once I'm on the fourth branch I think I'm high enough and sit and swing my legs. I can hear mommy calling me but she can't see where I am. Daddy joins her and they both call me but I don't want to be found. Elliot and Christian don't like me. Elliot and Christian are back in the yard again and they start shouting me as well and are soon joined by Grace and Carrick.

'Matty, wherever you're hiding come out.' Elliot shouts. 'We're not cross with you.'

'Elliot, why were you cross with Matty?' Grace asks as they near the boathouse.

'I was tickling him and he bit me mom.' Elliot says. 'We left him to play on his own.

'Matty, come on buddy. It's time to eat.' Christian says.

'I's not hungry.' I say and they all look up. 'I stay here.'

'Matty boy please come down.' Mommy says.

'No mommy, I is bad again. I is very sorry I hurt Elliot so I stay here on my own.' I say as a tear trickles down my cheek.

'Little man, do you need a hand to get down.' Daddy says gently. I nod at him.

'I is stuck daddy.' I say.

'Elliot, climb up and help him.' Grace says.

'No Gracie. I jump down.' I say.

'No darling boy. Stay where you are and Elliot will come and get you. He is good at climbing trees.' Grace says.

'I know. He teached me.' I say.

'Elliot, quick. Go and help him. I don't know whether to be angry with you again for showing him how to do it.' Grace says.

'Grace, don't worry. It's just another scrape to add to everything else today. Matty is in enough trouble for biting Elliot.' Mommy says. Elliot is now approaching me on the branch.

'Come here buddy, I will help you down.' Elliot says gently.

'I is sorry Elliot, I not meant to hurt you. I is a shit.' I say to him. I hear a sharp intake of breath from the ground below us.

'Perhaps I'll stay up here with you. I think we're both in trouble now. Matty you mustn't say that word again. I shouldn't have said it in front of you.' Elliot says. 'Come on we better go and face the music and get our punishments over with.'

'Elliot just smile lots and then they don't get cross.' I say.

'Buddy that might work when you're three but not when you're my age.' Elliot says.

'How old is you?' I ask him.

'Fifteen.' Elliot says.

'Oh that is old. You are twelve years older than me. Your age is five times my age.' I say. Elliot looks at me astonished.

'Matty, where did you learn that from?' he asks.

'I don't know, I did the numbers in a book and I played on daddy's cullator and I just remembered them.' I say. As Elliot helps me down he talks to me calmly. Once on the ground I see daddy kiss mommy.

'You go back up to the house darling, I'll deal with the little man.' Daddy says to mommy. I stand and look at him whilst everyone walks away. I can hear Grace telling Elliot off. 'So little man what are we going to do with you?' daddy says.

'I don't know daddy.' I mutter looking away from him, I don't want him to be cross.

'Matty, look at me.' He says gently so that I turn to look. 'I've only been home a couple of hours and you've been in the lake and up a tree and have kicked and bitten Elliot. That's not very good behaviour is it?'

'No' I whisper.

'Poor mommy has had to put up with you for five days on her own, no wonder she is tired and cross. We are going to walk up to the house now and sit and have a meal. Everyone else will have already sat down so you will not get to choose who you want to sit next to. I don't want a fuss, you just sit where's there's a space and please behave through the whole meal. Do you think you can do that?'

'Yes.' I say quietly.

'Matty, mommy has to go to her office tomorrow. If you can behave during dinner and then go to sleep nicely once we're home, you and me can do something fun together tomorrow, but I need you to be a good boy.'

'OK daddy. I will try.'

'Good boy, let's go and join the others.' He says taking my hand. We walk up to the patio. Daddy sits down in between mommy and Christian. There is only the seat left between mommy and Mia. I stare at it uncertainly. Daddy raises his eyebrows and I climb onto it.

'Did you get a telling off?' Mia whispers to me. I look at her and nod. 'You look like you're going to cry.' I shrug and look away.

'Salad, Matty.' Mommy says. I nod at her. 'Chicken, burger or sausage.' I shake my head. Daddy looks at me.

'No thank you mommy. Just salad.' I whisper so only she can hear. I don't look at anyone but concentrate on eating the tomatoes, cucumber, lettuce and peppers. Everyone is chatting to each other but I keep my head down. Once I've finished I sit looking at my hands.

'Darling, do you want anything else to eat?' Grace says touching my shoulder. She is stood behind me smiling at me.

'No thank you Grace.' I whisper. She crouches down so that she is at my level and ruffles my hair.

'Smile darling.' She says gently and kisses the top of my head before clearing my plate. Everyone has finished and they all make to move. I sit there still.

'Matty, you can leave the table now.' Mommy says. I climb down and stand to the side. 'What did you say to him Simon? I've never seen him this quiet.'

'I only told him that he had to be good if he wanted to do something fun with me tomorrow. I'll just finish my beer and then we'll head home shall we?' Daddy says to her. She nods at him and he kisses her lips.

'Matty, do you want to come inside with me and Grace?' mommy asks.

'Yes mommy.' I say. In the kitchen I find Fred on the table and pick him up and hug him to my chest before sitting at the table. I watch Grace and mommy as they load the dishwasher and tidy up. I sit very still, scared to move in case I do something naughty without meaning to. A tear trickles down my cheek and mommy comes straight to me.

'Darling, what's the matter?' she asks.

'I is trying to be good mommy but it is so hard and I want to have fun with daddy tomorrow.' I sob.

'Oh darling, you are being good. You sat nicely through dinner again.' She says as she picks me up and hugs me.

'I hurt Elliot mommy. I didn't know it was bad.' I say through my tears.

'Matty darling, don't worry about that.' Grace says. 'Elliot will be OK, just don't do it to anyone else.'

'OK Gracie.' I say.

'Is it time for bed?' mommy asks.

'Yes mommy, I is tired.' I say.

'Finally.' Mommy says to Grace. 'I never thought I'd hear those words. We'll head out through the back yard Grace and collect Simon on the way through. Thanks for dinner. I'll see you tomorrow evening.'

'OK bye Sue.' Grace says kissing mommy on her cheek. 'Bye darling boy, sleep well.' She says to me and kisses the top of my head. Mommy carries me into the backyard and hands me to daddy.

'This little man is tired and would like to go to bed.' Mommy says to daddy.

'I think we could all do with an early night.' Daddy says to her. 'Carrick, we're calling it a night and heading home. We'll catch up with you tomorrow sometime.'

'OK Simon, I'm ferrying the kids to activities most of the day as Grace has a shift at the hospital. I'm home from about four.' Carrick says.

'Head over to us then when you get back. Me and the little man will stock up at the supermarket in the morning and get the barbeque fired up ready in the evening. Thanks for today.'

'You're welcome. Bye little man. Bye Sue.' Carrick says kissing mom on the cheek.

'Bye Wick' I say and he smiles at me. I rest my head on daddy's shoulder as he carries me through the back gate in the wall.

'Hey little man, you're very quiet.' Daddy says to me.

'I want to have fun with you tomorrow daddy so I is trying to be good.' I say.

'But that shouldn't stop you from talking darling.' Mommy says. 'I think there's something wrong when you don't speak to us.'

'No mommy everything is OK. I don't want to be bad for you.' I say as we climb the stairs to my bedroom. 'I is a big boy now, I get ready for bed on my own.'

'OK.' Says mommy surprised. 'We'll be back to check on you in five minutes. Don't forget to clean your teeth.' I roll my eyes at her and she smiles.

'Mommy I do them every night. I won't forget.' I say. I strip my clothes off, my left arm still hurts and it's quite painful as I pull my pyjamas on. After cleaning my teeth I climb into bed and close my eyes.

'Oh Simon, he's asleep.' Mommy says.

'No mommy, I just closed my eyes but they is tired.' I say. 'Night mommy, night daddy. I love you both.'

'We love you too little man.' Daddy says as he kisses my forehead.

'Even when I is naughty.' I say.

'Yes darling.' Mommy says as she kisses me. 'Matty, mommy will be at her office all day tomorrow but you will have fun with daddy.'

'Yes mommy. I will miss you lots but can I speak to you on the phone.'

'Hey little man, we might be too busy to phone. What do you want to do?' daddy asks.

'Swim and ice cream and just being with you daddy.' I say as my eyes start to close again.

'OK, little man, I think we can manage that. Sweet dreams.' He says as I slip into my sleep. When I wake it is light outside. I lie still in bed though not wanting to disturb mommy and daddy. I am desperate to have fun time with daddy and I won't do anything to spoil it. My door opens slightly and I see daddy's face. I look up and smile at him.

'Morning daddy. Have I been good?' I ask.

'Yes little man. Why didn't you come and find me when you woke?' he asks.

'Cos I was trying to be good and not disturb you and mommy.' I say.

'Oh little man, mommy left for work ages ago. I've been waiting for you to wake up. Let's go and get you breakfast.' He says and picks me up out of bed.

'I need the bathroom first daddy.' I say as he carries me down the stairs.

'OK you go and I'll start making pancakes for you.' He says. When I go into the kitchen daddy is singing to the radio as he cooks. I try and join in but don't know the words so make them up and he grins at me. I try and climb onto the barstool at the breakfast bar but my arm is hurting too much.

'Daddy, can you help me up here?' I ask.

'Sure little man. Have you shrunk? You could climb up easily before I left for England.'

'No daddy.' I say giggling 'I is bigger but I is just finding it hard today.' He picks me up and sits me down. 'Thank you daddy, me and Fred will have lots of pancakes.'

'OK, first lot coming up.' He says placing the plate in front of me. He watches me affectionately. 'Matty, put Fred down and use your knife and fork.'

'Can you cut it for me daddy?' I ask.

'Has mommy been spoiling you? You could do this five days ago.' He says. I look at him with my big eyes.

'Please daddy. My arm hurts when I do things.' I say.

'Which arm?' he asks and I show him my left arm. 'Do you know how you hurt it?' I nod warily at him. 'Please tell me what you did.'

'Daddy, don't be cross.' I say.

'I won't darling, just tell me.'

'I fell out of the tree yesterday and then it hurt.' I mutter quietly.

'Oh Matty, it's been hurting all this time.' He says and I nod. 'Is that why you hardly ate last night because you couldn't cut anything up?' Again I nod. 'Darling you should have told someone.'

'I didn't want anyone to be more cross with me and everyone was eating.' I say.

'Ok little man. Eat these pancakes now I've cut them up and then I'll help you to get dressed. I think we'll go and see Grace at work before we do anything else today.' He says gently and my eyes widen. 'Don't worry Matty, Grace will just have a look at it and make sure it's OK. She would have done it last night if you had said something.'

'Sorry daddy, I thought it would be better this morning.' I say as I tuck into my breakfast.

'Can you show me where it hurts?' he asks.

'Sure daddy, all along here.' I say pointing to my forearm and pulling my pyjama sleeve up. 'Oh look, there's a big bruise along it. Maybe the hurt will go when the bruise disappears.'

'Jeez Matty boy, you've been very brave. Have you finished eating?' he asks and I nod. He scoops me up into his arms and takes me upstairs to get me dressed. 'OK lets clean your teeth and then we can go.'

'Are we in a rush daddy?' I ask.

'Sort of, the sooner we get your arm checked out the sooner we can get on with our day.' Daddy says.

'OK, shall I get my backpack?'

'Good idea little man. Do you know where mommy put it?' he asks and I nod. I fetch it from the closet and put in some cars and a water bottle. Daddy adds a couple more things as I grab Fred off the side.

'OK daddy, I is ready now. Let's go and see Gracie.' I say. In the car I sit quietly. Daddy is singing along to the radio but I don't join in this time.

'Here we are little man, let's go and find Grace.' Daddy says as he pulls into the parking lot.

'Will she take the hurt away daddy?' I ask as he picks me up out of the car seat. He carries me towards the hospital.

'Hopefully darling. Is it that bad?' he asks. I nod. We enter and daddy makes his way towards the reception.

'Morning, is Dr Trevelyan available at the moment?' daddy asks.

'Daddy, I only want to see Gracie.' I say. The receptionist smiles at us.

'Mr Gill, I'll page her for you. I just need to take some details.' She says.

'Daddy, how does the lady know your name?' I ask.

'Lots of people know my name Matty.' He says. 'Here, let me sit you down whilst I give your details to the lady.' I sit in the seat that he has put me in as he goes back to the reception area. He's not there long and has walked back to sit down next to me. 'Hopefully Grace won't be too long.'

'Daddy why does lots of people know your name and when we came to wait for your jet the lady knew that I was waiting for you even though mommy didn't say our name and then I saw you kiss that other lady. I not like it when you kiss other people daddy.' I say.

'I see you've found your voice again. Matty the lady I kissed on the cheek is just someone who works for me. I'd just spent five days in London with her and her husband and was saying goodbye. I kiss Grace on the cheek sometimes.' He says.

'I know daddy and that's OK cos Gracie is nice to me and I know her. Please don't kiss strange ladies, I don't think mommy minded but I don't want you to upset her.' I say. He starts laughing. 'What is funny daddy?'

'You are little man.' He says. I'm about to reply but Grace appears.

'Simon, what's wrong?' Grace asks.

'It's this little monkey. Apparently he fell out of the tree last night before he re-climbed it. Can you take a look at his left arm for us please?'

'Sure. Follow me darling.' She says and leads us to a cubicle. 'Ok Matty, can I take a look at your arm?' I nod at her and pull my sleeve up. 'Oh darling, why didn't you tell me last night? That must hurt a lot.'

'It does but I thought it would go away. Everyone was cross with me last night and I didn't want them to be more angry.' I say. She looks at daddy and grimaces.

'Matty, I'm going to get someone to take an x-ray of your arm. It's like a photo of your bones.' She says gently.

'OK, can Fred have his photo taken as well?' I ask her.

'Let's just do you for now. Fred can come with you though.' She says. 'Simon, do you want to carry him to x-ray. Just follow the signs and I'll catch you up.'

'Sure. Are you going to phone Sue?' he asks.

'Do you want me to?' she asks.

'No, leave her to work. There's no point worrying her. She'll come straight here and she's got a deadline to meet.' Daddy says. 'She stressed out enough without adding this. I'd rather she finished her work today and then we can have a family day tomorrow.'

'OK, I'll walk with you to x-ray then.' Grace says. 'I think she's found it tough this week.'

'I know, it wasn't the ideal time to go away but Nick needed sorting out once and for all.' Daddy says. 'I can't believe what he did, my own brother ripping me off for the last two years. He was the master of deceit and learnt to cover his tracks well. I'm just pleased we managed to keep it out of the courts.'

'At least it's over and done with now. You're not going away again just yet are you?' Grace asks.

'I was meant to go to New York on Wednesday but I'll send Jane and Steve. They've been brilliant all week and will be able to manage that account no problem. Sue needs me more at the moment, especially with this one.' Daddy says nodding at me. I smile at him and he smiles back. He seems happy and I've not really understood what he's been talking to Grace about.

'We're here now Matty boy.' Daddy says. 'Will you sit nice and still while they take the picture?'

'I'll try daddy.' I whisper.

'Come to me darling.' Grace says and daddy transfers me to her arms. 'Simon, go and stand behind the screen. Matty, I'm going to lie you down on this bed and put you in position with the help of the nurse. Then we're going to stand with daddy over there whilst the machine takes your picture. Fred will be here with you. Can you lie very still for me?'

'Yes Gracie.' I say and the nurse smiles at me.

'Don't be scared darling, this will only take two minutes and then daddy can pick you up again.' Grace says. I lie as still as I can, whilst they walk to daddy. Before I know it daddy is picking me up again.

'Well done, you did a good job there little man.' Daddy says as he kisses my head.

'You're very brave Matty, I'm just going to show your pictures to another doctor and then we'll see if we can make your pain go away.' Grace says. 'Simon, do you want to take him back to the cubicle? I'll meet you there.'

'OK, thanks Grace.' Daddy says.

'Thank you Gracie, I love you.' I say and she smiles at me. The nurse smiles as well.

'Matty lives next door to me. We see each other every day.' I hear Grace telling the nurse as daddy carries me from the room.

'Daddy does Grace know what's wrong with my arm?' I ask.

'Yes, she's just got to check with another doctor though.' Daddy says.

'Then can we go swimming.' I ask.

'Not today darling boy.' Grace says as she enters the room. She looks at daddy and he nods at her. 'Matty darling, one of your bones is broken and we need to put a cast on your arm to protect it. You can choose the color.'

'Oh, will it take long to fix?' I ask.

'You need to keep the cast on for four weeks.' She says looking at daddy.

'That is a long time.' I say.

'Shit, we're supposed to be going away in three weeks and Hawaii was the first stop. So that first week of the break we'll all be trying to keep him out of the water.' Daddy says.

'Daddy, you said that naughty word that Elliot says. He said I'm not allowed to say it again.' I say and smile at him.

'Simon.' Grace says and touches his arm. 'We could just do the holiday backwards, start off in London and then Paris. We'll be in Sydney for the same two weeks and then stop off for the last two in Hawaii last. I can arrange for us to go to the hospital just before we leave London and Matty's arm should be fine by then. It's a clean break and he's little enough for it to heal quickly.'

'Christian's birthday present.' Daddy says looking at her.

'Simon, the kids don't know where we're going and when. We'll find something do in London for his birthday and just rearrange the Hawaii part, when we explain he'll understand.' Grace says.

'OK, we'll speak to Sue and Carrick tonight and see what they say. Everyone has to agree though and maybe we should let the kids know. I'm sure big ears will have heard every word and will repeat it all to them anyway.' Daddy says. They look at me and I stare back at them, my eyes wide but I smile.

'Right darling, let's get you to the plaster room. What color would you like? There's pink, purple, red, green or blue.' Grace says.

'Purple.' I whisper to Grace. 'It will match Mia's nail color. Don't tell daddy.'

'Matty darling are you sure, you're going to have to wear it for four weeks. Why don't you have blue or green and then it will match your clothes.' Grace says. I look down at what I'm wearing.

'OK Gracie, I'll have blue.' I say. 'Is that OK daddy?'

'Yes little man, blue is good.' He says. I sit in the chair patiently as the male nurse put my arm in the cast.

'I can't believe he didn't say anything last night.' Grace says to daddy. 'He must have been in so much pain.'

'I know, I feel guilty for telling him off now. He was too scared to do anything after that. He wouldn't even talk at the dinner table and he hardly ate anything.' Daddy says to her.

'Don't blame yourself. The boys shouldn't have left him on his own and we all should have known that he's never that quiet when we're sat eating. He'll bounce back, take him for ice cream after this, that will make him happy.' Grace says. The nurse goes to talk to them and I sit and admire the blue cast on my arm.

'Darling, I just need you to take this medicine and then you can go with daddy.' Grace says. 'It will take away the pain.'

'Is it the funny tasting one that I don't like?' I ask. Grace looks at daddy. He gets something out of my backpack.

'Yes darling but I need you to take it nicely otherwise you'll have to stay here.' She says. 'Daddy has some juice for you to drink straight away.' I look at her with my wide eyes and nod. Daddy gets the juice carton ready with the straw. He looks at Grace and she nods. 'OK, open wide.' I do as I'm told and she puts the medicine in and I swallow pulling a face. Daddy is by my side and hands me the juice which I gulp down.

'All gone.' I say and smile at them. 'Can we go now?'

'Yes little man. Shall we go and get ice cream?' daddy asks.

'Yes, yes, yes.' I say excitedly. 'Can we take some for mommy?'

'I think we'll call at the deli by her office and grab her a sub and then you can eat your ice cream whilst she has her lunch.' Daddy tells me and then turns to Grace 'She won't eat otherwise.'

'I know, she'll lose track of time.' Grace says. 'Shall we still come round this evening?'

'Yes, Sue will want to see you. I'll order some food to be delivered from the Italian. Is that OK? We were supposed to go to the supermarket this morning.' Daddy tells her.

'That's fine, call Carrick later and tell him what time you want us. I'll be able to check on this darling boy as well later.' She says picking me up and hugging me. I hug her back and kiss her cheek.

'Thank you for making me better Gracie.' I say. 'I see Christian later and show him this.' I add as I wave my arm around.

'Yes darling, you can show him later.' She says. 'Say hi to mommy for me.' Daddy takes me from Grace's arms and I wave to everyone shouting 'Bye, Bye'

'You were very good and very brave in there little man.' Daddy says as he fastens me in the car. 'How does your arm feel now?'

'Better daddy, will I have to wear this when I sleep?' I ask.

'Yes, it has to stay on for four weeks.' He says.

'I not like that daddy. How will I wash my arm?' I ask him.

'You can't. This has to be kept very dry otherwise your arm won't get better.'

'Oh dear, mommy won't be happy cos I'll be dirty. Yesterday I had a wash in the lake and she still cleaned me in the shower.' I say.

'You are funny. Right first stop deli, then the ice cream shop next door and then we'll see mommy. Does that sound good to you?' daddy asks me.

'Yes daddy. I miss mommy when she has to go to work.' I say sadly as daddy starts to drive.

'I know, but at least she doesn't go every day because she has an office at home as well. You get to spend time with daddy or Grace when she is at work.' He says.

'Yes daddy, I miss you when you go to work and I miss Grace when she goes to work and I miss Christian when he goes to school and I miss….' I say as daddy interrupts me.

'That's enough, I think I get the idea.' Daddy says laughing at me.

'It's rude to interrupt daddy. I think I will have to tell mommy what you have been up to today. You have been naughty cos you said that rude word earlier as well.'

'You don't miss a trick do you?' he says. 'Right we'll leave the car here outside mommy's work and walk to the deli. Put everything in your backpack including Fred and then you can wear it.'

'OK daddy, I hold your hand and walk.' I say 'Do you think mommy will get a surprise to see us?'

'Yes, but it's a nice surprise.' He says as we walk into the deli. Subs bought, one each for mommy and daddy. I didn't want one but I now have a small tub of ice cream. Daddy carries them all in one hand as I hold the other. 'Let's go and find mommy.'

As we walk into her building I shout 'Mommy, mommy, mommy.'

'Shh little man, no-one will be able to concentrate if you shout like that.' Daddy says. 'This way.'

'I thought I heard a commotion.' Mommy says as we enter her office.

'Lunch.' Daddy says as I hide behind his legs.

'How did you know?' she says.

'I know you too well, you'd have got lost in time and forgotten to eat.' He says and goes and kisses her lips. Mommy catches sight of me.

'Simon, what happened?' she asks.

'Matty fell out of the tree last night. We went to see Grace, it's a clean break.' He says.

'Oh darling.' Mommy says coming round the table to pick me up. 'You should have called me.'

'No Sue, we want you home tomorrow for a family day and you've got a deadline. Matty is fine, we're only staying here long enough for us to have lunch together and for Matty to finish his ice cream.' Daddy says.

'I was brave mommy and I is OK. Can I eat my nilla ice cream now?' I say smiling at her and kissing her cheek.

'Yes darling, you can sit in my chair and use the table. Mommy and daddy will sit on the sofa and eat our lunch.' She says as she sits me down and pulls her fingers through my hair. 'Here's the tub, can you manage?'

'Yes thank you mommy. You sit with daddy and he can tell you how naughty he has been. I want to see if you get angry with him.' I say and smile at her. She looks at daddy and raises her eyesbrows, he shakes his head but he's smiling as he sits down.