I was going to start writing chapters based on what's going on in Casualty at the moment but I've been struggling to think of ideas. So now I've decided that everything that happened in Casualty recently happened in this story, but now Grace has made a full recovery.
It was the night before Grace was due back to school.
She was feeling really nervous though because not only was it a new school she was starting at, she was also a week later starting than everyone else.
Grace had begged Connie to let her start last week when she was meant to, but her Mum had insisted that she have another week of rest.
It was about midnight but Grace still hadn't got to sleep.
She'd had enough of just lying there when she couldn't sleep so in the end decided to go and find her Mum.
Grace walked into Connie's room and smiled when she heard Connie snoring. She was glad that Jacob wasn't staying over tonight because she just wanted a cuddle with her Mum.
"Mum" Grace said while trying to shake Connie awake
Eventually Connie stirred. When she saw Grace stood there she flicked on the light.
"What's wrong sweetheart?"
"I can't sleep"
"Do you want to come in for a cuddle?" Connie asked to which Grace nodded
Connie propped the pillows over and the moved over a bit before pushing the quilt back to let Grace in.
Connie wrapped her arm around Grace and Grace leant against her Mum.
"Are you worried about tomorrow?"
Grace nodded her head
"You've got nothing to worry about darling. I know it's a big change to primary school but you'll soon get used to it I promise"
"It's not just that, I just wish I started at the same time as everyone else. Everyone's already going to have made friends and have seats in classes"
"You'll make new friends too, but you still have your friends from your primary school. They're all going to be so excited to see you so I'm sure you're teachers will let you sit with them. You know that you're in a tutor group with Carmel"
Carmel had been visiting Grace lots since she got home and the two of them were close again. Carmel was living with her Dad now so was feeling a lot happier.
"I suppose"
"Trust me Gracie, you'll settle in just fine and then you'll love it"
"I hope so, thanks Mum"
"That's okay sweetheart, I'm glad you came to speak to me and didn't lie there worrying on your own"
It had taken time but now Connie did feel like she'd built up a good relationship with her daughter. Grace was learning to trust her Mum more and was coming to her more when she felt worried or upset.
Grace lied with her Mum for a little bit longer before going back to bed as she thought she could get to sleep now.
Connie was about to turn the light off so she could go back to sleep, when she heard Rosie screaming. She jumped out of bed and went straight to Rosie's room.
Rosie was clearly having a bad dream so Connie shook her awake gently.
"Wake up Rosie, look you're nice and safe. You're at home in bed and Auntie Connie's here"
Rosie woke up but started crying.
Connie pulled the quilt back and lifted her niece up.
She put her hand underneath Rosie's bottom and felt her wet pyjama bottoms so realised that Rosie must have had an accident.
Connie didn't mention it though because it had happened a few other times and Rosie always got really embarrassed about it.
Connie sat down on the bed with Rosie on her lap and stroked her nieces back to soothe her.
"Everything's okay Rosie, you're just fine"' Connie said gently
"Were you having a bad dream darling?" Connie asked and Rosie nodded
"Do you want to tell me what the dream was about?"
Rosie shook her head.
"It helps to talk about things though. Did you dream you were in a car crash again?"
Rosie nodded.
"And this time you were about to die" Rosie cried
Connie did feel sorry for her niece. What with her parent's car crash and Grace and Connie's, it was no wonder the girl was feeling traumatised.
"I'm still here darling, I'm absolutely fine"
"But I'm worried you're going to die in a car crash too because then I don't know who would look after me"
"You don't need to worry about that, hopefully I'm going to be around for a long time. And if something did happen there's always going to be someone here for you, there's Jacob for a start"
"I like Jacob" Rosie said giving a little smile
"I'm glad because I know he likes you lots too"
Jacob was amazing with all three girls and Connie was glad how well they were all getting on.
Connie seemed to reassure Rosie so she was feeling a lot happier now.
"Now then I think we should get you changed into some clean pyjamas"
"Why?" Rosie asked but then she realised her pyjamas were wet. She'd been so upset before she hadn't taken any notice
"Oh I think I had an accident, I'm really sorry Auntie Connie" Rosie said feeling really embarrassed
"It's okay Rosie, sometimes it happens when you have a bad dream. You're only five so it's nothing to be embarrassed about"'
"I suppose"
Connie gave Rosie a little wash and then found some clean pyjamas.
"Can I sleep in your bed tonight?"
"I suppose you can but just this once"
Connie and Rosie got into bed. Rosie was feeling a lot happier now and managed to go back to sleep cuddled up to her Auntie.
Connie was loving having Rosie around and having to look after such a little girl. Sometimes it did make her feel bad for all the times she wasn't there for Grace.
When Grace was Rosie's age she was already at boarding school, but Connie knew there was no point in dwelling on the past. She just needed to appreciate the times she had with Grace now.
