Chapter 26 - Thanks for the lovely reviews and everyone who is following this.

Dear Bernadette

Well it's official – dad and I are outnumbered. I have another little sister! Katherine Eve Turner was born last week in the middle of the most dreadful blizzard. Dad and mum had gone in to the maternity home just to do a couple of hours of work and they got trapped there and that's when Katie decided to make her appearance. Although I suppose if you're going to be stuck somewhere having a baby the maternity home is probably the best place!

She is just beautiful and seems to change every day – I have taken loads of photos and will send one with my next letter. I would never say anything to mum and dad but I know you will understand. I am so glad it was another girl – not because I want to be the only son but because I'm glad Angie will have someone she can be close to because she might not have been as close to a brother.

I can't wait until you get here to meet her. Actually I can't wait till you get here full stop. It feels like ages since I've seen you and then sometimes it feels like I only just left (I told you I'd never write you sappy love letters – that is probably as sappy as I'm capable of).

Is it weird that I feel so close to you after only spending a week together. I know we've written heaps of letters and stuff but (possibly a bit more sappiness here), I think of you as my best friend. I have heaps of mates at school and scouts but I can't tell them everything. I feel like I can tell you all the good and bad things about me and you will still like me.

Anyway enough of that – back to my beautiful sisters. Sometimes I feel like I should pinch myself – only four years ago it was just me and dad and now I live in a house full of women! I'm glad you want to come to university in London because I am going to have to stay here just to watch out for them (dad will be far too old and frail by the time they are old enough to date). I write that as a joke but I know there is an element of truth to it. Mum does keep dad young but nothing is going to change the fact that he is 18 years older than her and, well I'm not going to write the words but you know what I mean.

Onto other, less morbid topics. Poor mum is so tired. Katie doesn't sleep anywhere near as well as Angela did and dad and I can't help as much as we did with Angela (again – you know what I mean). And of course Angela is demanding mum's attention too – I've been trying to keep her as occupied as I can but a boy can only go to so many tea parties before his brain turns to mush!

The Sisters have been brilliant, they bring us dinner each night (don't ever tell mum I said but Mrs B's cooking is even better than hers) and Sister Julienne has come nearly every day to spend time with either Katie or Angela so mum can focus on the other one. I never realised how much Sister Julienne is like a mother to mum. Which I guess kind of makes her my grandmother – I lead a very strange life when I have a nun for a grandmother.

I'd better go, I can hear Katie waking and mum and Angela are at the park (hopefully they won't be too much longer). Only nine weeks until I see you.

Timothy

…

"Timothy can you get the post?" Shelagh called out to her son.

"Yes mum!" The teenager called back as he came down the stairs two at a time.

"One for you and one for me." Timothy said as he walked through the kitchen, grabbing a banana on his way and handed his mother the letter.

Angela was drawing at the coffee table and looked up at her beloved big brother as he walked into the room.

"Ooooh 'nana." She said spying Timothy's snack.

Timothy looked at the banana in his hand and the adorable look of expectancy on his sister's face. "Shall we have half each?" He asked her and she nodded vigorously.

Tim sat next to his mother who was feeding ten day old Katie. "Are you alright with me doing this here Timothy or would you prefer I go upstairs?" Shelagh asked mindful of his teenage sensibilities.

"It's fine mum. I've told you, as long as you are both covered and I'm not traumatised by seeing anything I shouldn't – well it's like you and dad always say, breastfeeding is the most natural thing in the world. But don't ever let me see dad watching you do it again – that was just – well disturbing, is the word that springs to mind."

Shelagh laughed at the memory of Tim coming into the front parlour one night as she fed Katherine and Patrick was sitting next to her, completely enamoured by both her and the baby. "I think it taught you a valuable lesson in learning to knock on closed doors though dearest."

Shelagh held her letter out to Timothy. "Would you mind opening it for me?" She asked

Timothy took the letter and opened it. He saw what it was and began to gently stroke Katie's foot. "Well, you are official now Katiebaby – you have a birth certificate".

"Is your letter from Bernadette?" Shelagh asked. Timothy had been self-conscious at first about admitting how often they wrote to each other but in the end decided that his mother usually collected the mail and knew exactly how often he received one. There was also the fact that, as far as he was concerned, Bernadette was going to be a permanent part of their lives whether it was as a friend or something more once they were older and being embarrassed about how often they wrote was being silly.

"Yes."

"Please say hello from me next time you write and let her know we are very much looking forward to having her and Elizabeth visit in a few weeks."

"Are you sure two extra people won't be too much for you mum? I know you are much more tired with Katie than you ever were with Angela?"

"It will be fine Timothy. I am rather looking forward to having them here."

"You know we will help as much as possible. Bernadette says she is happy for Angela to come on all our outings with us." Tim explained "And she says Elizabeth cannot wait to get her hands on Katie."

"That is very sweet of the three of you and perhaps Angela can accompany you sometimes but your father and I want you to have fun on your summer holidays, not spend them babysitting." Shelagh's heart swelled with love for her thoughtful son.

Timothy finished his half of the banana and stood up. "I'm going to take my letter upstairs to read, call me if you need me for anything." He bent to and gave his mother a spontaneous peck on the cheek.

….

Dear Tim

Congratulations big brother! I so love getting your letters – you write exactly as if you are right here speaking to me.

I can't wait to meet Katie. What does Angela think of her? Any sibling rivalry? Having been the younger sister I can assure you that it will seem like they can't stand each other most of the time but deep down they will be the best of friends. Promise me you will never let Elizabeth see this letter!

I love my sister dearly but for the life of me I do not understand her. She is still having the 'God' or 'a proper life' dilemma – honestly I do not understand her at all! I'm hoping spending some time with your mum will sort her out once and for all.

I don't suppose you have a photo of you holding Katie do you? I think if you are going to send me a photo of the baby I would quite like you in it. Okay, confession time – I have been prone to talking about you at school and none of my friends believe you exist – so some photographic evidence would be appreciated.

Speaking of my friends. They keep referring to you as my 'imaginary boyfriend'. I hope the photo will take care of the first part, it's the second part that got me thinking. Are we boyfriend and girlfriend? I suppose we are but it feels like more than just that. 'Boyfriend' sounds fleeting and not very permanent and that is not how I see you at all. I just know that we will always be part of each others lives (I'm not trying to scare you anything, maybe we will just always be best friends). Anyway, you can see my dilemma on the whole 'boyfriend' issue and yes, I have probably spent far too much time thinking about this.

No news to report from dreary old Scotland I'm afraid. Father is working far too much and mother is spending all her time at her committee meetings and Elizabeth is either praying or babysitting the neighbour's children – such an exciting life we Donald's lead. I can't wait to see you, to be in London with you, to spend time with your family.

Yours

Bernadette

Tim smiled as he re-read the letter. Once he finished it the second time he found the photo he was planning to send to Bernadette. It was a photo his dad had taken if him holding Angela in his lap and Angela holding Katie in hers (with his hand helping to support the baby). Of all the ones that he had developed from that roll of film – this one was his favourite and he knew his mum would love it too so he had developed two extra copies, one for his mum and one for his dad and he planned to buy some frames and give them each a copy for their anniversary next month.

Tim grabbed a piece of paper from his desk drawer and quickly scribbled a very short letter.

Dear 'dette

Definitely not a figment of your, or your friend's imaginations. Hope you like the photo. Will write a longer letter after my science exam.

Your Boyfriend

Timothy

PS Hope your friends believe you now – can't wait until you come to London too.