1924
"MUMMY! DADDY!"
DS Foyle gave his wife a quick smile and crouched down to catch the small whirlwind that was their son. Andrew barreled into him throwing his arms around his neck, "DADDY you're here!"
Foyle chuckled and stood up shifting Andrew to his hip, "Hello Andrew, did you have a good day?"
The little boy nodded eagerly, "We learned letters and coloured and Miss Wright read us a story and I liked it but not as much as when you and Mummy read me stories"
He stopped for breath, twisting in Foyle's arms, "Mummy, I was good! I listened and I passed lots when we played football!"
Rosalind and Christopher exchanged a proud smile before he pressed a kiss to their son's forehead, "Well done Andrew, Mummy and I are proud of you son."
Andrew beamed but squirmed to be put down as he saw another little boy coming through the gate, "That's Rex! Down please Daddy!"
Foyle complied chuckling as he watched his son race towards the other little boy, satchel flying precariously behind him and his cap nearly falling out of his pocket. He looked at Rosalind, a gentle smile playing at his lips as he took her hand, remembering the way her eyes had filled with tears when they had dropped Andrew off that morning; "Sounds like he had a good day love"
Rosalind smiled and squeezed his hand, "Yes it does"
"Come on, Daddy will show you his policeman card!" Andrew's excited voice caused them both to turn as Andrew and another dark haired little boy came to a stop in front of them.
Rosalind smiled warmly, looking from him to Andrew, "Andrew, do you want to introduce us to your friend?"
Andrew nodded, bouncing excitedly on the balls of his feet as he slung an arm around the other little boy's shoulders, "This is Rex! He sits next to me and he likes football too and we can both write our names, 'cept Rex has a longer name too but he likes Rex better"
He paused, looking at the other little boy for confirmation and Rex nodded, "I only get called Reginald when I'm in trouble so I'd rather be Rex if I may."
He looked uncertain, as if he wasn't used to his preferences being taken into consideration very often, and Rosalind smiled encouragingly, "I'm very pleased to meet you Rex"
The little boy beamed back at her, holding out his right hand politely, "I'm pleased to meet you too Mrs.…"
"Foyle" Rosalind supplied quickly as she shook his hand, "Is someone coming to meet you Rex?"
The little boy looked down, shifting from foot to foot, "I think Mrs. Brice is coming. Mother and Father are in London till Saturday"
"Rex's Daddy helps put bad men in prison too but he's not a policeman like you are Daddy he talks to judges instead right Rex?"
Andrew interjected eagerly and Rex nodded, "He's a lawyer and so he and Mother are in London lots 'cause lots of important people want him to work for him."
Rosalind smiled, "That's wonderful"
Rex puffed out his chest slightly while Andrew turned to his father, "Daddy, can you show Rex your policeman card?"
Foyle smiled and withdrew his warrant card, holding it out for the boys to see. "That tells all the bad men they have to listen to Daddy." Andrew explained proudly before looking up at his mother, "Mummy is it tea soon? I'm hungry"
Rosalind smiled and ran a gentle hand through Andrew's curls while Foyle put his warrant card back in his pocket, "We'll have tea as soon as we get home Andrew." She scanned the area and then turned back to Rex, "Do you want us to walk you home Rex?"
The little boy shook his head, "No thank you Mrs. Foyle, I can wait or go myself. I walked to school by myself this morning." He added proudly and Rosalind nodded although she couldn't help worrying about him finding his own way on the first day.
She glanced at Christopher who was also looking concerned but before either of them could speak a voice called out, "Master Rex" and they all turned to see a stout middle-aged woman waving to Rex from across the schoolyard.
"That's Mrs. Brice" Rex explained, hitching his satchel higher up his shoulder, "I have to go. Goodbye Mr. and Mrs. Foyle, I'll see you tomorrow Andrew!"
"See you tomorrow!" Andrew called back waving enthusiastically as Rex ran off before looking up at his mother, "Mummy did you miss me?"
Rosalind nodded and picked him up, pressing a kiss to his forehead, "I missed you very much my darling boy but I'm glad you had such a lovely day. Did you make other friends?"
Andrew nodded and began an excited retelling of his day, which was not interrupted when his father took him from his mother's arms and settled him on his hip. Christopher and Rosalind exchanged a gentle smile as he offered her his arm and their little family made their way home for tea.
A/N: I hope everyone's school year has started well!