Three Sleeps

"Mummy, Mummy?"

Imogen looked down to find Ava pulling the hem of her top. "Yes poppet?"

"Come play with me, please?

It was Wednesday which meant no classes for Imogen and as usual she had taken Ava and Zara to playgroup in the village hall. She and Constance had been bringing the girls since they were tiny babies and both girls loved it. Each had made friends and normally ran to sit with them as soon as they arrived. This morning Zara had toddled off to play with her friend Sasha while Ava, who normally made a beeline for Sasha's sister Ellie, seemed glued to Imogen.

"Let me finish my coffee poppet and I'll come over. Look, Ellie's waiting, go play with her."

After a moment's hesitation Ava walked over to her friend while Imogen sighed. "I admired you before but my admiration has increased tenfold over the past few days. How do you manage? Even taking a shower this morning was a drama, I had to bring them both in with me."

She was addressing Linda, the mother of Ellie and Sasha. Linda had divorced her husband just over a year before and was raising her two girls, who were the same ages as Ava and Zara, alone ever since. Both Constance and Imogen had become very friendly with her over the past three years and enjoyed their Wednesday catch ups.

"Oh, I haven't taken a shower alone in weeks. I wish I could give you an answer, I just manage every day and collapse into bed every evening. The good news is Constance will be back at the weekend."

Imogen immediately felt guilty, she was just on her own for a few days unlike Linda whose husband had walked out on his young family. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to complain."

"You're not." Linda refilled both cups, "You're missing your wife but don't worry you're doing a great job."

She may have been doing a good job but clearly not good enough for Ava who was back again.

"Mummy, look at my blocks."

She wouldn't get away not going this time so Imogen put down her cup and went to admire the the building work that had been done. Ava normally loved playing with Ellie and her other friends but this today she was especially clingy and didn't like Imogen talking to anyone else. The clinginess was still there when playgroup ended and they said goodbye to Linda.

"Things will be back to normal in a couple of days" Linda couldn't help laughing as she saw how close Ava was standing to Imogen.

"I think someone's a little J-E-A-L-O-U-S of me talking to a woman who isn't her M-A-M-A." Imogen confided.

Ava immediately looked up. "Mama? My Mama is very pretty and lovely."

The message was clearly aimed at Linda. "I know she is Ava, I'm looking forward to seeing her next week. Bye girls."

"Our spelling days aren't going to last long with this one. Okay, say goodbye and then we're off to the supermarket."

"Why? Why did I do this to myself?"

Two hours later Imogen was pulling up outside the castle. Her head was pounding and her heart was racing. The supermarket trip had been a disaster involving tears and an epic tantrum from Zara who wanted a bottle of chocolate milk more than anything else in the world.

"No, you are not having it, especially not that chemically made stuff. If you stop this I will make you a lovely glass of nice healthy chocolate milk when we get home."

"I want it" Zara had sobbed loudly which made what seemed like everyone in the shop stare at them.

"I said no." Imogen took the bottle of milk and ignoring the crying, carried on with her shopping. By the time she was at the tills both she and Zara were bright red and Ava was on the verge of tears.

"Zara, don't cry." she reached over to hug her sister but was immediately pushed away.

"Poppet, don't worry she'll calm down in a minute."

Oh, how Imogen wished that had been true. During the ten minutes they spent queuing then paying for their items, Imogen felt like the worst mother in the supermarket. In her mind everyone was judging her and causing her to feel very sorry for herself.

"I wish Constance was here to give them one of her looks. Actually no, if she was here we wouldn't be in this situation in the first place."

Zara had cried the whole way home, in fact she was still crying and by this stage Ava had joined in.

Managing the shopping bags, then the two upset toddlers was difficult at the best of times, but with half the Cackle's students looking at them it was even harder. One of the second years, who was already making a name for herself didn't even try and hide her amusement at the situation.

"Wow, discipline really does go downhill when HB isn't here."

Right now Clara Cook and her smart remarks would have to wait, there were bigger things to focus on.

"Girls, don't you have lunch to eat?" Imogen asked as she carried a wailing Zara past the third years, sighing with relief once they got upstairs. "No more crying, please. I'm going to make lunch and then you are both having a long nap while I do some work."

Thankfully she just needed to heat up the vegetable stew which both hungry girls hoovered up.

"Good girls. I'm going to make you a bed on the couch and then I'll sit at the desk and do my work okay?"

That sounded good to Ava and Zara and they were each tucked in at opposite ends of the couch while Imogen sat down to do more admin work on her computer. Normally after playgroup they slept for a solid two hours, sometimes even three.

Normally.

"Hi Mummy." Zara called across the room after twenty minutes.

"Sweetpea, you need more sleep. Close your eyes again."

"No, play time. Ava play games." Before she could be stopped Zara had crawled over to her sister and was shaking her awake.

"Morning."

"It's not morning, it's still nap time. You need to go back to sleep." Imogen knew her pleading was pointless, both girls were too awake to drop off again.

"We want to play. Please."

Within a few minutes they were on their mat with a few select toys to occupy them. It worked for a little while during which Imogen kept working, hoping the peace would last.

"Mine."

"I was playing."

"No touch. Mine."

Imogen looked up to see Zara clutching a teddy and glaring at Ava. "Play nicely and share Zara."

Playing nicely lasted for five minutes until all hell broke loose.

"Ouch." Ava rubbed her head after being hit with a rubber phone.

"Za…"

Imogen hadn't even started to get the warning out before Zara stood up and threw a block at her sister. This was the last straw for the normally gentle Ava who shoved her sister, causing her to land hard on her backside.

"Hey." Imogen marched over to the again screaming girls. "No fighting, I'm surprised at both of you."

"She hit me." Ava sobbed.

"And you pushed her, I know she started it but you're both wrong and I'm putting you in time out." Having looked over them both and thankfully seeing no injuries Imogen knew they needed to cool off. "Zara, you sit on the mat. Ava, sit on the chair for two minutes."

"That long?" Ava was still crying as she walked over to the chair, glowering at Zara who had caused all of this.

"Yes." Imogen set the timer on her phone and tried to calm her own temper as they waited. Before the second minute was over the door opened and Tom walked in.

"I thought I'd….What's happening?"

"Time out for fighting. Right, time's up. What do you say?"

"Sorry." Ava sniffed from the chair while Zara stayed silent.

"Not to me, to each other. Do you understand why I put you in timeout? You're sisters, you're meant to be best friends and I can't have you playing up like that just because Mama isn't here, it's not on, I just can't, I can't.. Dad, can you take them, I need a minute." With that Imogen ran into the bedroom leaving her father and children staring after her.

"I'm a terrible mother." she thought as she clutched Constance's pillow and wished her wife was there.

"Pumpkin?" Tom entered the room carrying a cup of hot tea and some ginger biscuits.

"Dad, you can't leave them alone, especially not now."

"I didn't, Abby's home, she's with them and I'm going to look after my little girl. We've had a chat, we know you've had a tough couple of days, my being sick didn't help."

"Oh I never asked.."

"Shhh, I'm fine. Imogen, you are such a good mother and those girl are lucky to have you."

"But they were fighting, they never do that. And Abby's been so moody. And I haven't slept because Zara won't go into her cot and I'm so afraid she'll get out of the bed. I can't cast a spell like Constance does to keep her in." Imogen sniffled as she dunked her biscuit into the tea.

"Pumpkin, they are amazing kids. Amazing, normal kids who fight just like you and Stephen did. If I recall correctly, one time when your Mum went home to Ireland, you ended up with a split lip and Stephen had a black eye before she'd been gone for a day. And as for your girls, remember at Christmas when they were stuck inside? Constance put them in time out for the same reason so stop with the selective memories. And Abby, well you remember what its like to be a teenager. They've played up this week and they know it, even Zara, but they want to make it up to you. I know Abby wants a chat, will I send her in?"

Imogen gave a shaky smile, "I guess so."

A moment later a meek looking Abby entered the room. "Are you okay? Granddad said you were upset."

"I was, I still am a bit. It's just been a tough few days. I miss Mama so much and your sister's have been playing up. You've barely spoken to me since Sunday, I know you've had school but.."

"I'm sorry Mum, I was being a moody cow. I had my period, that's no excuse. Neither is the exam. I was missing Mama and I had a fight with Peter and I just closed off. I'm so sorry." Abby crawled into her mother's open arms and let the tears roll down her face. "I feel so bad."

"Honey, don't. I know how you're feeling, I've been there. I still feel like that some months but please, you know you can talk to me or Mama, don't close yourself off."

"I know, I didn't want to burden you, I made it worse though. I'm sorry and I'm going to make it up to you, starting now. Granddad is cooking dinner and I'm going to help you with the crazies 'til Mama comes back, including sleeping in your bed. Zara won't try and get out but if she does we'll be blocking her way."

"I'd like that. And this week they have been a bit crazy."

Mother and daughter cuddled in silence for a while before Imogen broached the Peter topic.

"No, I picked a fight with him. I apologised and he was very nice about it."

Imogen kissed the curly hair, she was glad that Abby had Peter. His calm nature balanced her when she needed it.

"I'm glad he was kind to you. Honey, I've been there as well, picking fights when I've been in a mood. Ask Jamie and Mama. But let me tell you, I've regretted those arguments more than any other, especially ones where I've hurt Mama's feelings. If you'll let me give you some advice, bite your tongue or walk away when you feel it coming on. The moment will pass and you'll forget any nasty words in your mind, but if you say them out loud then you and the other person will remember them afterwards."

Abby nodded, "I know, you're right. And I know its something you work on as well. I'm really going to try, just like you do."

Before they could talk any more there was another knock on the door.

"Dinner's almost ready, in the meantime these little girls want to say something."

"We're sorry, we'll be good." Ava made it as far as the bed before her lip started to wobble.

Zara who was right behind her also looked very upset.

"There's been enough tears today. I'm sorry I scared you, I just got a bit sad. Have you two made friends?" Imogen lifted both girls onto the bed and held them on either side of her.

"Best friends." Zara reached for Ava's hand in a move that made Imogen's heart melt.

"That makes me happy. I love you girls very much and I'm so glad you're with me while Mama is gone. Only three sleeps left and then she'll be home but until then we're a team right?"

"Team Drill." Abby gave her sisters and Mum high fives while her Granddad laughed at them.

"I think I qualify for that team. Let's eat, then Abby and I will bathe the girls while you have a nice sit down before we speak to Constance and Amelia."

Even though it was a weeknight, Imogen gratefully took the glass of wine her father poured her and savoured it as Ava and Zara had their baths and were dressed in their pyjamas. They were all settled on the couch when the computer indicated the FaceTime call coming through.

"And how are all of you?" Amelia was so thrilled that she could see the family while they were away. Modern technology was marvellous.

"We're very good." Ava answered her Granny with a big smile. She could already feel that her Mummy was happier because they were all friends again.

"Darling?" Constance was finding it so hard today especially, seeing her family and not being able to touch them. She just wanted to hold them all, especially Imogen who had taken on so much to allow her make this trip. It did make her feel better when she saw how close the children were sat to her, with the two younger girls in particular sitting as close as they possibly could.

"Ava's right, we have each other so we're very good. And when you're home, we'll be perfect."

Constance wasn't entirely convinced. She could see how tired her wife looked and rightly guessed it was due to one or two possible visitors in their bed. There wasn't much she could do from where she was but maybe there was a gesture that could show them all how much she loved and was thinking of them. Resolving to think of something once her lecture was over she listened to the girls chatter for another few minutes before saying goodbye.

"Remember what you girls said, you're looking after your Mummy okay?" Tom regarded his granddaughters with a serious look.

"Yes Granddad." Ava was taking her promise very seriously, she really didn't want to see Mummy get sad again.

Once Tom had gone, Abby took charge of things. Everyone was dressed for bed and it was time to relax. "Right, warm milk with cinnamon for Ava, hot chocolates for me, a lukewarm version for Zara and a peppermint tea for Mum."

"Thanks honey." , Imogen took the cup gratefully.

"You're welcome, now legs up. You deserve a nice foot rub so let me do that."

Imogen sat back against the cushions while Abby gently rubbed her feet and Ava and Zara drank their drinks from their beakers and giggled together like the best friends they were.

"Feeling better?" Abby asked the question a little later after she had cleaned her teeth and climbed into bed.

"Lots, thank you. And you?"

"Much, Besides, how could anyone be moody looking at this?"

They both looked at Ava and Zara who were holding hands with the teddy that had caused so much trouble that afternoon in between them.

"I certainly can't stay moody with them around. Or you. I'm going to take a picture of this and send it to Mama, it will make her smile. Then let's get some sleep honey. I love you."

Then safe in the knowledge that she wasn't on her own, Imogen drifted off to sleep. Everything wasn't back to normal and she was sure more things would come up but she'd deal with them. Tomorrow.