65

"Tad? You busy?"

"always" Ianto smiled as Walter entered his office, closing the door gently to single a quiet word in private. Ianto sat back and pushed the folder of bills he was going over back on the desk to show he was not preoccupied.

"Maisey wants a party. I tried to tell her there was no 'party time reason' but she was so … almost frantic. I am not sure why. If she remembered something, or thought something … she is almost begging and Curtis thinks we should not overanalyse it but see it as an opportunity to show her that we are listening to her needs no matter what we personally think about them."

"I think he's right. Do you remember Ton's Frog Day? We all wore green? Everyone was green? Jack had never seen green bread rolls and would not believe me that there were not veggies in there?" Ianto laughed "Look … maybe she has remembered her mother' birthday, or a birthday for someone deep down, maybe a rare time she had cake … maybe she has never thought about asking for one and is trying to see what you will do. Maybe she wants to play, it's a game. Does it matter? Treat it seriously, whether a game or not, you will show her that you are able to provide when asked. Curtis is right, I agree. A party. Call Ton, he is at the shop with Angel today, they can pick up some supplies from Manny on the way home, he will be able to do a cake from one of his stand-by emergency cakes."

"Emergency Cake" Walter repeated.

"Ton does an extra cake every day, just in case someone needs one. He usually gives it to random people or checks his list for who has a birthday that week or who has family coming to visit that weekend. You know Ton, I taught him well in the list making." Ianto smiled "He always does an extra cake. Once in a while Goat face gets it and Ton loves watching the mad thing smash it's face into it."

Walter nodded and rose to call Ton as Ianto sat back and pondered, then pulled out one of his own lists. He had a feeling he knew why she was upset.

And he hoped he was wrong.