Flopping down on the sofa Kate looked at the oversized clock that hung on the wall. It was showing as being 4:30. Closing her eyes she wondered if it was this too early to open the bottle of wine in the fridge? everything was not going as blissful as the films. Nicole had refused to come out of her room after the "incident" as she called it. Grace had gone off in another strop after Kate had said in no uncertain terms that downloading and printing 40 pages off of Wikipedia would not do for her history project and she would have to do proper research and write it in her own words. And since he woke from his nap Chris had demanded to watch the wiggles on a loop. He since had toddled off after the kitten so Kate took her chance and switched the television off it was giving her a headache. Deciding coffee was probably the save bet.
She basked in the moment of peace before her instincts kicked in. The house was nice and quiet which always worried her. Putting her coffee on the side she slowly made her way to the stairs listening to see if she could hear anything. Upstairs was deathly quiet which was always a worrying sign that something had happened or was about to happen.
Climbing up the stairs making sure she didn't make a sound. If something was about to kick off then her navy training had taught her that the element of surprise was always the best way to resolve problems.
Standing on the landing she could hear Nicole talking to one of her friends. Poking her head round the door she could see Nicole totally engrossed in the conversation. Each saying how much they missed each other and that they loved each other and life sucked at home with the 'olds' as Nicole called them.
Walking across the landing she stopped outside Graces bedroom. Inside she could here muffled giggles, as well as wailing. Opening the door, she saw her youngest daughter standing at the side of the bed in her Cinderella dress with her doctor's coat, pink power-ranger mask and black witches' hat from last Halloween. She was waving her hands about manically muttering something under her breath.
Stepping further in to the room she could see Grace had pinned Chris to the bed and wrapped him up in toilet roll so he looked like an Egyptian mummy.
"what on earth!" Kate called picking up several empty toilet roll tubes off the floor.
"I am being a doctor" Grace smiled proudly
"doctor" Chris giggled trying to sit up
"Shh" Grace called pushing her brother back down "you are supposed to be asleep" she said
Folding her arms, Kate tried not to laugh. "right I can see that. Why didn't you use the bandages in your doctors' bag?" Kate asked sitting on the bed unravelling the mound that was on Chris.
"because Midnight was poorly as well" Grace said as Chris jumped off his mum's lap running out on to the landing
"what do you mean?" Kate asked sounding worried
"Midnight needed the bandages as she was poorly. But I made her better" she grinned as the little jet-black kitten appeared from her hiding place under the bed.
"Grace don't you remember what the lady as the animal home said. Midnight isn't a toy and we must leave her alone and let her have her own space" Kate sighed lifting the little kitten up untangling the bandages from her body and tail. "no tidy all this loo roll up. It is such a waste" Kate sighed standing carrying the little black kitten out with her
"yes mummy" Grace said sadly as all her fun had been spoilt.
Heading downstairs she placed the cat on the floor as the front door opened. Turning she saw Mike carrying 5 bags at once. Instead of doing the sensible thing of carrying 2 in at a time.
"Hey" she smiled "Did you get everything?" she asked taking one of the bags off him.
"yes and I even managed to score a extra pack of loo roll" he said holding up the pack in victory.
"well that's actually good as Grace thought it would be a good idea to mummify our son and the cat" Kate said putting the stuff on the side. Turning to face him. "and don't bloody laugh 5 rolls she waisted 5 bloody rolls"
"I wasn't laughing. Anyway, I got a roast chicken for dinner. I thought we could have it with some salad." he said pulling the other things out of the bags.
"sounds amazing" Kate smiled
"why don't you go take a bath and relax. I'll sort this out and give the kids their dinner" he smiled
"are you sure?"
"yes go on nice hot bath and you will feel better"
"did u tell you that I love you?" she smiled wrapping her arms around his waist kissing him softly
Heading up in to the bathroom she had to remove a load of bath toys belonging to Chris and Grace. Chucking them in to the box she looked at the 2 bottles of matey that were on the side one pink one blue. Because they couldn't possibly have the same one. Grace only wanted to use the mermaid one as she hoped it would turn her in to one. Reaching in to the back of the cupboard she pulled out her special lavender and musk bubble bath and turned the hot taps on
Once the bath was full, she carefully climbed in sinking her shoulders right under the water instantly feeling herself relax and unwind. Hearing the door open she looked over seeing Midnight plod in and jump up on the side of the bath.
Reaching out she scratched the little kitten behind her ears "hey I am trying to have a bath here puss" she smiled. Looking at the door she saw Chris walk in. Resting her head against the back of the bath. One day she would be able to have a bath or a pee in peace without the cat or 2 pairs of eyes on her.
"Kitty" Chris smiled "bath time" he said pushing the little kitten
"No! Chris" Kate warned but it was too late "CHRIS!" Kate shrieked as Midnight landed the water with a splash. Digging her claws in to Kates chest.
Clambering out of the bath Kate grabbed the towel she managed to unhook midnight from her flesh. Who jumped to the floor and started hissing at Kate Chris stood giggling at his work
"Chris that is not funny. Look at mummy's chest." she said taking the 3-year-old in to his room. "now you sit here until you are ready to say sorry" she said sitting him on the bed.
Walking out of his room she saw mike standing on the landing.
"what's going on?" he asked.
"Chris shoved midnight in to the bath and guess who she took it out on" Kate sighed pointing at the 10 little claw marks on her chest
"those look nasty, I'll go get the antiseptic." Mike said as Kate walked in to their bedroom.
This was going to be a long lockdown. Even the bloody cat would need some sort of therapy after this was over. Especially spending time with Chris and Grace. Falling back against the covers she sighed. They were only 2 weeks in to the lockdown and she was already losing the plot.
Hearing the sound of little feet plod in to the room she sat up, and saw Chris standing at the door. His eyes red from crying. Walking over to the bed he held his arms up to be lifted In to her arms
"Mummy" he wailed "i sowie mummy" he said hoping that he could be picked up.
Lifting him in to her arms. "that was very naughty what you did. You hurt poor mummy look" she said pointing at the lacerations on her chest. "and you hurt poor midnight. Let's go and find her and say sorry yes" Kate said putting Chris back on the floor.
They found Midnight hiding under the bed in the spare room. She slowly came out when offered a tasty salmon treat.
"sowie midnight" Chris said reaching out patting the cat on the head
"gently Chris she doesn't like it when you are being rough"
"Sowie Midnight" he said again
"good boy. Now go down get ready for dinner" she smiled
Walking back in to the bedroom mike handed her the anti-septic and cotton swabs. "do you want some help?" he grinned
"no thank you. You best go down stairs try and keep some order otherwise it will be chaos down there" she smiled.
"okay. Dishing up in 10 minuets" he said kissing her on the top of her head,
"thanks" she smiled
so here is chapter 2. hope you like it. this is just a bit of light hearted fun amidst the lockdown. also I have no idea what is on the curriculum in OZ so have sort of based it on the UK's. Matey is a brand of bubble bath we had as kids all of which have a nautical charaters (a pirate, mermaid a sailor are the ones I can remember) let me know what you think and I hope you are all safe and we are out of this soon x