8

"If you do a bad thing, it does not mean you are a bad person. Everyone makes mistakes"

Heather nodded as she accepted a hug from Ton as well, his warm arms so big and squishy. It felt good.

"At school, please try to be nicer and people will be nicer back. They will see that you are nice" Ben said as he stepped back for Penny to get a hug now, "We like nice people, so do you right?"

"Sorry" she sighed, "I am grumpy sometimes. It's just … me ears hurt and everyone is so shouty."

Ton frowned then went to find Uncle Owie who was sitting with some food, "Hey Tonny. Cake soon?"

"Yeah, Heather sez her ears hurt and that's why she is so mean to people" Ton said without preamble, "Is that a thing?"

Owen rose and motioned to Tosh who went out to get his kit for the back o the car, returning to watch as he crouched and examined the little girl's ears. He then sat back, "Sweetie, do your ears hurt all the time or just after you had a bath where your head went under the water, yeah? After a swim?"

She looked at him like he was magical and nodded, "Yeah."

"Gromits" Ianto said softly, "she needs gromits. She is getting water in her inner ear?"

"Yeah" Owen rose, "Poor little thing, no wonder she's grumpy. Must ache like a bas…..ket."

"Nice save" Curtis snorted as he lent down to let the baby on the floor and she squealed, Owen lighting up, "Ahhh, amazing Grace. How sweet your sounds."

"Come on love" Walter said as he saw the little girl grimace at the baby's loud squeal, "How about you help me with the cake. You can help light the candles and we will carry it out. Everyone will have to be quiet for me to carry it."

She hurried after him, her hand clutching at his jacket and Curtis watched with concern, "Is she going to be OK?"

"Might just need them cleaned out but if the water is a reoccurring problem gromits will fix it" Owen assured him, "I'll talk to her mum when she comes to get her. Sleep patterns will have been upset to. Explains her disposition."

"Good man" Ton said as he hitched up his pants, "Now if you will excuse me, I have to supervise that cake."

Ianto scooped the baby off the floor and she squealed again, kicking happily as he kissed her little cheeks and walked through to the madness in Walter and Curtis' main room.

Owen waited for that mother.