Two Sleeps
Thursday was a much better day. Imogen had enjoyed a good sleep, as had the girls, and it was a happy group that settled down for breakfast that morning.
"Thank you honey, these eggs are great."
"They're yummy."
Abby smiled at the praise from her Mum and sister. It was only scrambled eggs and toast but it felt good to have helped.
The morning seemed to run more smoothly than previous days. Abby had organised herself the night before so was ready in plenty of time of the school bus. Ava and Zara dressed without fussing and both were waiting for Tom to collect them. The plan was he would drop Ava to nursery and then take Zara to run some errands. Imogen would then collect Ava at 1PM.
"See you later girls. I love you."
"Love you Mummy.", Zara gave Imogen a big hug before leaving the room holding her sister's hand. Since their blow up the day before she noticed that both girls were especially affectionate with each other which was making her feel a whole lot better about things.
"Right, better get to work."
First was a meeting with Davina, Elizabeth and Gabrielle. They had tried to keep to the timetable but there was a clash between Gaby's Spell class and Constance's Potions group. Neither Davina nor Elizabeth were free to cover so Imogen was going to take the Spell class who had theory work to do while Gaby took the practical Potions group.
"They've got plenty of book work." Gaby reassured Imogen before the meeting ended.
"I'll be fine. Okay, so if everyone knows what they're doing we'll finish up." Imogen smiled at them before going to teach her own fourth year P.E class. It might have been selfish on her part but she was dying for a run so took them off around the village for their ninety minute class. Once it was over she ran upstairs to change before going to supervise the second years.
"Miss Gribble said you have work to do so carry on. You can consult with each other quietly if you need to."
As always there was a little bit of chatter before the students settled down and started working. In general the second years were a good group but as with most classes there was always one girl who pushed her luck.
"Miss, if we cast a spell on you, you'd be in trouble wouldn't you?"
Imogen looked up from the papers she was reading. "No Clara, you'd be in trouble. Stop distracting everyone and get back to your work."
Clara Cook, as seen by her comment the day before, prided herself on being the class clown and wasn't going to miss the opportunity to show off in front of her friends. It would be worth the possible strike to get everyone laughing.
"Hocus Pocus…."
Imogen stood up immediately and moved herself out of Clara's line of sight. She could see the other girls cringing as she walked toward the smirking second year.
"Clara, I will see you after class and you will work quietly for rest of the lesson. Do I make myself clear?"
"But Miss."
"You're in enough trouble, I'd stay quiet if I were you."
Deep down she knew Clara had just been showing off but she remembered a time when another second year had cast a spell, almost killing Constance and Ava. She wasn't willing to take any risks.
At twelve thirty the bell rang indicating the end of class. While the other students left quickly Clara stayed as directed.
"How many strikes are you on Clara?"
"One Miss Drill."
Imogen sighed, why did these girls push it so much, "I believe it's two. Now it's three. I am going to be contacting your parents and asking them to come and talk to me and Miss Hardbroom next week."
Clara let out an indignant snort, "That's so not fair. Spells never start with with 'Hocus Pocus', if you were a witch you'd know that."
"I am going to talk to your parents and tell them about your behaviour, including the cheekiness you have just displayed. You will also be writing an essay that will demonstrate your understanding of what happens to Witches who cast spells on non-Witches, a very detailed essay which I expect by first thing Monday morning. Have I made myself clear?"
"Yes Miss Drill." Clara was disgusted, that essay was going to take her all weekend to do. She gathered up her things and was just about to leave the room when her teacher added something else.
"I may not be a Witch Clara but I am not a pushover, you'd do well to remember that."
As her student skulked out Imogen looked at her watch. It was five to one.
"Shit."
She grabbed her jacket and ran to the nursery school, arriving just after five past.
"I'm so sorry.", she tried to catch her breath as she met Carol, the nursery teacher, at the door.
"Relax, it's only five minutes, normally we have people a lot later. She's inside finishing her drawing."
Sure enough Ava was sat at her little desk chatting away to Carol's assistant Annie as she worked. Imogen smiled as she walked towards them, although her smile faded as she heard what Ava was saying.
"My Mummy likes sleeping with girls. It's okay though, she's got lots of girls to sleep with while Mama is away."
As Carol and Annie stifled their giggles Imogen flushed bright red. "Oh my God, I don't, I would never. She means that they're staying in my bed while Constance is away."
Carol reached for her arm, "We know, you wouldn't believe some of the innocent things that are said in here that sound worse to adults. We're used to it."
At that moment Ava looked up and saw her mother waiting for her. "Mummy, you're here. Look at my picture, it's for you. Why are you so red?"
Despite her embarrassment Imogen couldn't help smiling as Ava ran to her. "I ran very fast to come and get you poppet, That's a great picture, thank you. Are you ready to go home?"
Ava gathered her bag and coat and after saying goodbye to her teachers she left school holding her Mummy's hand.
"Poppet, what were you saying to Annie about me sleeping with girls?" Imogen was wondering where the conversation had come from.
"You and Granddad were talking about when you shared a tent with Uncle Stephen and you said you hated it 'cos he was a smelly boy. Remember? I was telling Annie about that."
She did indeed remember the conversation she and her father had been having the previous Sunday. At this stage she wasn't even surprised that her clever little girl had picked up on what they were saying and added her own take on it.
"Ah, I see. Well, lucky for me I have my sweet smelling little girls while Mama is away. Look, there's Granddad and Zara in time for lunch."
Tom had collected some breads and salads and over lunch they discussed their mornings. Zara had been on her best behaviour and was enjoying eating her lunch sitting on Mummy's lap.
"I'm going to put them down for a nap and then we'll play with Shep and Wendy. See you later pumpkin." Tom took his granddaughters by the hands to nap in their bedroom in the cottage while Imogen went back to work.
Work that afternoon meant some games of rounders with the second years, including a very quiet Clara. Luckily the other girls were full of energy and there was a happy, energetic buzz which kept Imogen grinning as she entered Constance's office afterwards to finish her work from the morning. Her smile got even bigger as she saw what was waiting from her on the desk.
"Oh Sweetheart."
She ran her fingers over the large bunch of greenery and multicoloured tulips that were sitting there. These certainly hadn't come from Interflora. There may have been magic involved but she didn't care as she reached for the note.
"My Darling Imogen, Thank you for taking care of our precious family while I am away. I'm so grateful to you for pushing me to challenge myself, it's yet another reason why I love you so much. These flowers are a mere token of my love for you and our daughters. I cannot wait to see you this weekend and show you just how much I have missed you. I am yours forever, Constance."
Imogen sat at the desk and carried on with her tasks, looking up every now and then to admire her gift. She was especially touched by the blue dahlia, pink rose and white lily that had been added for Abby, Ava and Zara. She knew they were going to love them.
"Thank you for our flowers Mama." Abby couldn't believe how perfect hers was and had started planning how she was going to paint it.
"You're very welcome. You spoiled me so much with the lovely pictures and notes you put my bag so I wanted to do something in return."
Ava was very gently holding her precious flower as she sat in front of the screen. Mummy had explained it was a rose, just like part of her name and that made it even more special to her. Abby had already promised her she'd press it before it wilted so she could keep it forever. "Two more sleeps Mama and then we can have kisses and cuddles."
Imogen and Constance shared a look of happiness at the thought. They were almost there.
"Yes little one. I hope you're all ready because once I'm home I won't be letting you go."
One Sleep.
"Ugh, I hate Friday afternoons. We have Computers last class and it's so boring."
Imogen laughed as she listened to Abby complain, she knew the class was too basic for her daughter. "Once it's over it will be the weekend. I'll collect you and we'll go straight to the house okay?"
To Imogen's relief Davina and Elizabeth were on supervision duty that weekend. Everything administrative was up to date and all that was on her agenda today were two P.E classes and supervising a Potion Theory class in the afternoon.
"You've done more than enough this week. I'll take Constance's class later, you start your weekend early." Elizabeth was insistent in her offer, she knew how hard her friend had been working over the past couple of days and she deserved a reprieve.
"Thank you. I'll be here until around two." Her own early finish had given Imogen an idea and after making sure that Tom could take the cats she made a quick phone call.
'What's going on?", Abby had been told by her form tutor that her mother was collecting her for an appointment at half two. She had no idea what it was about and had immediately jumped to conclusions.
"You've been sprung.", Imogen smirked from the front seat.
"We're going swimming.", Ava shouted from the back.
"Shh poppet. She's right though, we're going for a swim before we go home. This is a one off but I know you won't miss much, besides we deserve some fun."
"Cool." Abby sat in the front seat and removed her tie. "Let the weekend commence,"
"Swimming's fun." Zara told her mother a couple of hours later as she was being dressed.
"It is fun sweetpea, I'm glad you enjoyed it and you were a very good girl. Let me just get dressed and we'll go home."
Imogen quickly removed her swimsuit while Zara watched from the bench.
"Mummy, hair."
"Hmmm?"
By this stage Ava, who was already dressed, had wandered over to see what her sister had pointed to.
"Oh, Mama has that hair there too." Ava used her older, wiser sister voice. "Hers is black though. Where's ours?"
Although she normally encouraged questions about their bodies, right now Imogen was trying her best to pull her underwear on and change the subject. It was a little too late as the two elderly women they often met at the leisure centre were sat in the corner in hysterics and Abby had left the room half cringing, half laughing.
"You'll get it when you're older. Pick up your bags like good girls and let's find your sister and go home."
On the way home they talked about dinner. Tom had offered to cook but there was another plan in place.
"We're getting a takeaway with Jamie and Sarah. They're going to bring it over about six or so." Imogen didn't have the slightest intention of cooking that night, she did however run to the supermarket once they got home to make sure they were well stocked with food for the weekend. She had just arrived back when Sarah and Jamie pulled up.
"Did you bring the babies?" Ava asked as soon as she saw them.
"Well they're kind of part of me right now so they had to come." Sarah responded kindly. "They're kicking, would you like to feel?"
"Wow." Ava's mouth was wide open as she felt the movements against her hand. "Hello babies, I'm your friend Ava."
Jamie and Imogen knew that their children were going to be close as they grew up, it was already starting as far as Ava was concerned.
"Bet you can't wait until tomorrow.", he said as they dished up the food in the kitchen.
Imogen sighed, "You have no idea, I know I won't get much of a look in with the kids around but I just want her home. I'm not cut out to be a single mother. But at around lunchtime tomorrow the girls will have their Mama and I'll have my love back with me. I'm so excited."
"You look it. Seriously, no phone sex, not even once?" He was already moving away in anticipation of the punch he was going to receive. Of course he didn't move fast enough.
"Cheeky sod. And the answer is no, not with two toddlers who would barely let me go to the loo by myself. You'll find out how that feels soon enough. Besides we had the time difference and it can be nice to wait a bit, build up the anticipation a little."
Jamie knew his friend was right about the demands of young children but he didn't care. "We won't stay late, Sarah's pretty tired and the sooner you get the girls to bed, the sooner it will be morning."
"Ha, you know it doesn't always work like that."
But this particular Friday night it did work like that. Jamie and Sarah stayed for a while after they had eaten, playing with the girls and helping them get ready for bed.
"This is great practice." Sarah confided as she put Zara into her pyjamas ready for her story.
By half past eight she and Jamie had left and both the younger Drill girls were tucked up in Imogen and Constance's bed and almost ready for sleep.
"When I wake up will Mama be here?" Ava asked quietly, knowing that Zara was already asleep.
"Not when you wake up but very soon afterwards."
There had been a very quick FaceTime call that evening as Constance had a packed last day. She had however promised the girls that nothing would stop her making it home to them.
"How will she get home?"
Imogen kissed Ava's forehead. "Magic poppet. I'm not sure how it works but one of these days you'll be able to do exactly the same things Mama can do so you can explain it to me. Close your eyes and you'll have sweet dreams very soon."
The words seemed to work and soon Ava was fast asleep and cuddled up to Zara.
"We'll see if this lasts." Imogen whispered to Abby who was standing in the doorway.
"I think it will. I'm going to do some drawing before bed but I've run you a bath and left one of Mama's bath bombs there for you, one of the relaxing ones."
Imogen followed her daughter into the bathroom, noticing the soft music playing from the portable speakers, the magazine and the glass of white wine that was on the side of the bath.
"Granddad poured it. Enjoy your bath and I'll see you in a while. I'll keep an eye on the crazies."
Happy to follow the instructions Imogen did indeed enjoy the bath. She stayed there for just under an hour, topping up the hot water when she needed to and savouring the relaxing scent of lavender that was permeating the room.
"Next Friday night I'm going to make date night really great.", she thought as she dried off, already planning what she could do make her wife feel special.
The combination of the wine and hot water had really worked and even though it was early she was ready for bed. Tom seemed to have the same idea as he met her in the hallway.
"Goodnight pumpkin, sleep well and just think, we'll both have our better halves back tomorrow."
"I know. Hey!" Imogen swatted her Dad playfully when she caught what he had said. She knew Tom and had been missing Amelia and he too was counting the seconds until his own wife was home.
"Nice bath?" Abby whispered as she entered the bedroom.
"Very nice, thanks honey. And thanks for helping me over the last few days. I really appreciated it."
"You're welcome, I hope I made up for being a moody boots."
Imogen grinned when she heard the expression, it was what Jamie had always called her when she'd been in a funk over the years. "You did, you ready to sleep?"
"Yeah, love you Mum." Abby padded around to give her mother a kiss goodnight.
"And I love you honey. Night."
Imogen fluffed up her pillow and settled down to sleep with Ava in her arms while Zara curled up next to Abby. Tomorrow night their bed would probably be even more crowded but she didn't care, not as long as they were all together.
A/N Thanks to everyone who has read and reviewed. A short final chapter coming on Sunday when Constance comes home. Hope you liked this one.