chapter 21 Zoe's story Part 2

He forgot

Most of the day I followed Lolly around and she let me help her, it was very noisy and Fuzz was scared too. Daddy said that when I felt scared I just needed to hug fuzz tightly because he was probably feeling the same. I helped Lolly do some painting and lots of children were building too. But I liked to paint and draw, Lolly was really good and she showed me how to draw a Ladybug. That's what I was and so was Lolly, we were Lolly's Ladybug's. I'd been given some things with lady bugs on too, I liked my fleece, it was red and fluffy and had black dots on so I looked like a lady bug.

There was a big noise and everybody stopped what they were doing. Lolly said it was dinner time and we needed to get our lunches out. We all sat in our areas, I stayed next to Lolly still I didn't like now, it was too loud. Daddy had made me ham sandwiches- my favourite but he'd squashed them with the juice. Daddy was very silly sometimes. I got my sandwich out and it was too big- Daddy hadn't cut them. I tried to take a bit but couldn't, it was just too big, the stuff started to fall out and I couldn't eat it. I sighed and held the sandwich out to Lolly hoping she'd be able to help me.

"What' say I cut it for you? Into squares like Lolly's?" I nodded, now that was a clever idea I waited patiently for her to hand the sandwich back. "There we go, sweetie" I smiled and was finally able to take a bit of it. I finished my lunch and Lolly seemed very happy. She was on her phone and smiling.

At the end of the day I just wanted my Daddy back. Lolly had been fun and I'd drawn her a picture but I didn't like the noise. The other lady shouted very loudly and I didn't like it at all, I needed a Daddy hug and he wasn't here. So I found the next best thing. Lolly.

I held my arms up to her and she quickly held me, her arms wrapped around me tightly, "It's alright Zoe it will be quite again soon". I covered my ears and buried into her shoulder. She held me tight and I saw lots of the children going. The longer Lolly held me the better I felt, she gave great hugs, almost as good as Daddy's.

Then My Daddy came "What happened? Hey Zoe Daddy's here baby" I quickly wriggled from Lolly's arms and Into Daddy's. Now I was safe again.

Then there was the day I remembered when Daddy Forgot me. I'd been to day care lots of times now and Lolly was my friend. Daddy liked her too, I could tell, he smiled every time he saw her. that day I wasn't happy with him though, he was late for pick up.

All the other children had left and I was still playing with Fuzz in the corner. Daddy wasn't coming.

"Zoe ? do you want to come and play with Lolly?" I shook my head. No I just wanted Daddy. She didn't leave though she came and sat next to me. "I remember Daddy said that your rabbit was Called Fuzz, is that right?" I nodded weakly and smiled holding Fuzz for her to look at. "What was that?" she looked at me with a funny face "I think Fuzz just spoke" I smiled as she held him to her ear Laughing. "Fuzz said…that he thinks your Daddy will be here soon so we should play some games while we wait ?"

I shook my head and felt my bottom lip wobble, then the tears started. Lolly held me tightly again and we went into another room. "It's alright Zoe, Daddy's coming soon baby, He hasn't left you" I shook my head and held tighter to her as she rocked me in her chair. Lolly kissed my forehead and I felt safe, My eyes started to fall shut and then Lolly started rubbing her hand up and down my back, I fell to sleep then, Just wanting Daddy.

"Come on Little Ladybug, your Daddy's here" Lolly nudged me to wake me up awake, even though I didn't want to Lolly was pretty comfortable. "Hey sleepy head… it's time to go home" Finally Daddy was here, I frowned at him not moving from Lolly, I loved Daddy but I was upset with him now. I thought he'd gone.

"Zoe…" He tried reaching for me but I shrugged it off and turned more into Lolly, she smelt really nice too, like pretty flowers. "Daddy's really sorry baby girl… I promise you I'm not leaving you Zoe. Never, you know that right?" I shrugged my shoulders and looked at him, I didn't know, he had promised me never to forget and he had. "Come on its home time… we need to let Lolly go to her home too" I frowned and sighed, I guess I didn't have much choice really. Lolly placed me on the floor and hugged me, I nudged Daddy towards the door. If I had to go, it was now.

"Yes, yes were going, thanks again Lauren."

"Zo…are you upset with Daddy?" We had walked back to the flat and I was very grumpy now. I sat in the lounge on the sofa with Fuzz, trying to show Daddy he's upset me. I nodded and frowned at hi, "Why are you upset with me?" I shook my head and sighed, he was trying to get me to talk again and it wasn't going to work. I pointed to his watch and then to the door. "Because Daddy was late?" again I nodded. "Did you think I'd left baby?" My eyes filled up again and he quickly scooped me into his arms. "Daddy's never leaving you baby girl, Never." I shrugged against him. "I promise you sweetie I'll never leave you" I gave up with the mood then, because Daddy was getting sad too and I didn't like Daddy to be Sad. Maybe Lolly could Make Daddy Happy, he was happy when he was with Lolly I knew he was.

Happy Kid

Over the next few weeks Daddy and Lolly had made friends, Daddy was Happy now and I was happy too. I got to see Lolly every day and Play games – It was very fun. Daddy said we were going out with Lolly tonight to meet her Mummy and Daddy and Auntie Alice's Cousins. Daddy had asked me to get dressed so I'd chosen my favourite things, my Peppa Pig Jammies. I toddled back into Daddy's room and smiled brightly at him.

"No Zoe, you can't wear them baby, they're your Jammies" my smile quickly faded "Please don't look at me like that baby girl… go find something else, please?" I shook my head. I wanted my Jammies on. They were pretty and pink and had a picture of Peppa and George on the front. I loved them.

"I wont ask again Zoe please… Lolly's Mummy said we need to dress nice" I folded my arms across my chest and stamped my foot, these were nice! Daddy groaned and reached for his phone.

"Seriously how do this … I mean I'm standing in front of my wardrobe and I can't see anything appropriate. Zoe's just standing in the middle of the room staring at me and she's refusing to put anything other than a pair of Peppa-Pig pyjamas on" I didn't know who he was talking to but he was talking about me. Seconds later he sighed and hung up. "Right Madam… Lolly's coming over and you're going to change alight?"

I shook my head harder and skipped off to the lounge waiting for Lolly. It wasn't long before the door knocked. I ran to open it, because I was a little taller now I could reach the handle.

"AH… Don't you dare Zoe Branning, Only adults open the door, remember?" Daddy stopped me and opened it himself. I want waiting though I wanted to give Lolly a big hug.

"Zo… let Lauren in first baby" I let go of her legs as she lifted me up and held me tight. "Hello Mrs… You missed me?" I nodded I had missed her and I think Daddy had too, but I think that's a secret.

"Thank god you're here-I'm stressing so bad about this dinner. I have nothing to ware and Zoe…" Lolly had set me down and Daddy was talking to her but he stopped suddenly and looked really shocked.

"What?" Lolly asked placing her coat on the peg.

Daddy took a big gulp of air and stared at her "You look… look really nice" I turned to Look at Lolly. She looked like a princess. She was more pretty today and I think Daddy thought so to.

"Zoe, come here baby" I ran back towards them and smiled when Daddy swung me into his arms in a big whoosh.

"Lolly's said she'll help you chose some clothes out ok?" I shook my head, again pointing to my jammies. "Zoe, honey you can't go out in those"

"How about you show me your favourite clothes Zo ? and then I'll do your hair?" I nodded quickly, that sounded like a much funner idea. I could have my hair Just like Lolly's nodded "Show me which is your room" I pointed to my door and took Lolly there.

"What's your favourite clothes then Zoe?" I walked to my wardrobe and tugged on a couple of dresses I liked. Lolly got them down and put them on my bed, lifting me onto her lap. "Which on then ay?" I shrugged "Shall be do Eenie Meani?" I nodded

"Ok then" She took my hand and help my finger out so I was pointing. "Eenie Meanie Miny Mo, catch a Fishy by it's to If it squeals let it go Eenie Meanie Miny Mo." I giglled and grabbed the dress giving it to Lolly to help me. I got dressed and Lolly did my hair in a pretty plait just like her's.

"All finished Beautiful…" I turned to her and signed thank you, watching as her face lit up a little. Lolly quickly called for Daddy and I showed him too. They were both very happy, maybe I needed to do a bit more to get them more happier ?

Bad Mummys

Things got Bad at Lolly's house. Her Mummy was Nasty like My Mummy was- she made Lolly cry! I didn't like her now. She hurt my Lolly. I'd stayed with Lolly in the kitchen watching as her Mummy worked cooking. I wondered if Lolly would cook with me one day ?

Then she started shouting at her and Lolly was crying. Daddy came through and Made things better though. Lolly left and held me tight and Daddy came after us. We walked with Lolly all the way home but she was still crying. Daddy gave her a big hug and I knew she would feel better, Daddy's hugs made everything better, so Did Lolly's now though. Lolly came home with Me and Daddy that night and she put me to bed, she give me kisses and Cuddles, I want Lolly around lots more, she's like a Mummy.

The next morning I woke up and Lolly was still there she was sleeping on the sofa and Daddy had told me to wake her up. She did and it was very funny. She was like Daddy and didn't like the morning. Daddy let Lolly wear his things because he was taking us out for breakfast. We went to the bestest place ever! Daddy and me came her all the time when I was very little, they did very Yummy pancakes.

We ate our food and I fell to sleep again oops! But Lolly was very comfortable. When I woke I was in a different place but curled into Lolly. Daddy wasn't there, but it was ok Lolly was. She said Daddy had got to work and I would stay with her. I liked that idea, I got to spend time with Lolly. We did lots of drawing and watched a movie and she even made me dinner. I had spgettie toast !

I had lots of fun and Didn't want to go home- I wished Lolly was My Mummy !

So that was Part 2 We're certainly seeing Zoe's feelings towards Lauren and she's very perceptive noticing how Happy her Daddy is when Lauren's around, thank you all so much for the lovely reviews , the guest reviewers too who I cant reply too thank you ! xxx