FOURTY FOUR - SADNESS
August 1st 1921
3 months had passed since Rose left Jack and the children on holiday and Jack wasn't finding it any easier. Teddy's nightmares had come back thanks to her absence which in turn meant he would end up in Jack's bed almost every night. He would ask about her daily but it was becoming less frequent, and Eliza had more or less given up on asking for 'mama' completely. Jack didn't know if that was a good thing or a bad thing.
He still found himself crying on the sofa most nights over Rose and his temper would sometimes wear thin with Teddy, who would act out often. Jack was unsure if he was doing it for attention or because he was sad and angry.
With no Rose to watch the children as Jack worked, he had cut down to part time whilst Maggie would have them some of the time - something Jack was incredibly grateful for.
—
Jack's alarm woke him up one Monday morning. He sighed to himself as he got up and got ready for work before going in to Teddy's bedroom. "Teddy" Jack shook him gently "it's time to get up" "I don't want to get up" he groaned "I know" Jack chuckled "but you have to. I've got to go to work" he said as he moved Teddy's mop of hair out of his eyes "I don't want to go to Maggie's today. I want to stay with you" "you can't buddy, I'll try and finish work a little early today so we can spend a bit more time together, OK?" Teddy nodded and climbed out of bed "good boy"
—
Jack got Teddy and Eliza ready before taking them over to Maggie's and heading to work.
He both loved and hated work. He loved it because it was the only bit of peace and quiet he got away from the children, and the only bit of time he got to himself. But then hated it for enjoying it, and hated it because he knew how hard both the children found being away from him sometimes.
Cal shows up in the next chapter so I'll get that out as soon as possible :) (probably around 6pm BST today)