"Morning Chloe." Ange smiled at her daughter.
"Morning mum."
"Just to let you know the cottage is booked for half term."
"Can't wait. I already asked for the week off and I had no shifts the Thursday or Friday before too. So I'll go up to Aberdeen for a few days first. I can bring Gran over too. I'm guessing she's still invited."
"We'll have to look at sleeping arrangements. There's four rooms. I was thinking. Fletch and I in one, his girls in one, boys in another and your Gran in the fourth. Would you mind going in with your Gran? Or Fletch's girls Evie and Ella? Not sure about where to put Dom. But of course your Gran is invited."
"I'm sure Gran won't mind sharing with me. And Dom on an air bed downstairs? Is everyone coming then?"
"You're the first person I've asked, and I might have made sure Fletch is off that week."
"Better go. My shift starts in 10." Chloe kissed her mum lightly on her cheek. Ange smiled she'd checked with Chloe that Evan was leaving her alone and Chloe had assured her he was. A week away was just what Chloe needed. To see her friends in Aberdeen for a few days and then a week up in the Trossachs, a national park sometimes referred to as the mini highlands. Chloe loved country walks, especially up in Scotland. Despite all the people who she was inviting she was determined to have some one on one mother and daughter time with Chloe.
"Coffee for two?" Came a voice from outside of Ange's office door. "Fletch. Thank you" Ange said as her boyfriend opened her door. He sat down on her sofa and sighed. "Need a break?" Ange asked. "I wish." Fletch rolled his eyes. "Two weeks time, a week in Scotland?" Ange asked. "I'm working."
"Don't forget your girlfriend is a consultant who can pull a few favours. You're not working at all. Come away with us. Bring the kids too. Chloe's coming and I'm going to ask Dom. My mum too and the cottage I've booked is big enough. It's half term so they won't be missing school."
"The kids are at a camp over half term."
"A camp?"
"Yeah, a thing for kids who've lost a parent, they do activities, Zip lining and arts and crafts and stuff with kids who have been through the same thing."
Ange nodded understandingly she'd met the kids a few times and was amazed at how resilient they were. They'd been through a lot. Not just with Natalie's death, they'd even become homeless at one point. Evie reminded Ange of herself at that age. Independent, stubborn yet would do anything for the people she loved. However, Evie was not pregnant.
"But if you don't mind me crashing your little getaway I'd love to come. But I totally understand if you want to spend time with your family."
"I'd love for you to come and meet my mum too. Plus Chloe and Dom like you."
Chloe had FaceTimed her grandmother in her break. Gran said she'd love to come but would get the train over on the Tuesday evening or Wednesday since her choir had a concert. Sheila had always loved singing, Chloe remembered all the lullabies and children's songs her gran used to sing to her. Chloe asked her gran if she could stay with her in Aberdeen from the Thursday and Gran told her she'd love to have her.
Ange asked Dom later in the day but since Sacha and Ange herself were on annual leave Dom was needed to cover. Ange was a little disappointed. She was hoping that The 'fletchlings' and Dom would be able to go. Chloe had informed her about Grans late arrival. It would be a much quieter break than she imagined, however that might be better for Chloe, and perhaps she would invite Aileen and her cousins over one day for a walk or something, since the cottage wasn't too far from Glasgow. Chloe would like that and so would Sheila. It was February so would be cold, but she was Glaswegian, and Chloe had grown up in the Baltic winters of northern Scotland (with the help of fleece lined tights, hand warmers and ski jackets) she'd just have to remind Fletch to bring a big coat.
