January 6 '81

Babs,

Ohh good heavens your face! I've never seen such a fixed expression on someone before. Was it a forced smile or were you in pain? I've been chuckling on and off all day just thinking of it.

If you weren't one of my dearest friends I might have pointed it out to the others. You look was just golden.

I won't lie though, I was surprised too. Miss Margaret is barely 20 months. But another baby is always a blessing or so I'm told. I suppose it'll be easier to get all of the baby stuff out of the way before I'm too old to be getting up in the night doing diaper changes. With two children, maybe Mrs Sheffield would consider employing a nanny. That would make all our lives a lot easier.

If this new child is anything like its sister we will need to invest in earplugs.

X N X

January 7 1981

Niles, I picked up three packs of earplugs on my way home last night. I know the baby won't be here for another six months but we've got to start a stockpile or we'll stand no chance! Also, with two of them, are you going to be hiding out at mine on your days off even more? Am I going to have to get a bigger place to accommodate you? I don't know if I can cope with your lumbering behind cramping my already small apartment more than it already does!

Please let this one be quieter. Maggie has only just learnt to sleep properly. I'm not sure I can go back to listening to you whinge on about sleep deprivation

Maxwell is having me out the house for some meetings with a couple of potential backers. So I won't be around to play this afternoon, but I'll be back this evening to sort a few things out. Paperwork would do itself and Maxwell sure as hell would do it either.

Xx C.C

May 28 '81

Babcock,

Well, yes, I have it off. But you have to promise me, no booze. I have got to stop start going through my Mondays hung over because of you, wench! I'm not as young as I was. I sometimes wonder if you really are my friend, if you're just trying to kill me slowly with alcohol poisoning.

We can go to the little movie theatre in New Jersey. No one even remotely connected to your mother or any of her minions will see us there. Therefore you won't have to explain befriending The Help.

BUT, if I come see an American werewolf in London with you on Sunday, would you stay and keep me company tomorrow? Mr and Mrs Sheffield are going out, it will probably be the last date for them before the new baby comes, and I'm babysitting. Miss Margaret will be in bed most of the evening and I know I'll just be bored. Please, please stay and keep me company.

X N X

June 22 '81

Talk to me Babs!

June 24 '81

Please Babcock, you need to talk to me!

June 25 '81

Dammit, C.C! We HAVE to talk about this. You can't keep ignoring me!

So, we kissed! So what?! it's been almost 2 weeks. If you'd like, we could pretend that in all the excitement of Master Brighton being born, you got swept up in the joy of it all and just kissed the closest male. Me! We can pretend I didn't pull you aside after and tell you, you are the most beautiful woman I've ever met. We can pretend it wasn't the most perfectly right thing I've ever felt. And we can pretend that we didn't kiss a further three times before that poor nurse stumbled upon us. Frankly, I don't know why she looks so scandalised It would hardly the worst thing she's probably ever come across, surely. But I will not pretend that I'm not in love with you! That you're stuck with. But your friendship means more to me than anything else. So we can pretend it didn't happen. We can go back to how it was before. We just need to pretend.

X N X

June 29 1981

I don't want to pretend.

Love,

C.C

January 1 1983

Oh my God, oh my God, oh, my God!

Did you see? Niles when you wake up and see this you have to find out if she saw. God, why did we drink so much last night? I can't believe I fell asleep for so long. Maybe she didn't actually see, you have to find out!

After the party wrapped and we came back to your room for our own celebration. I fell asleep. I never fall asleep when we use your bed. God! Why? I woke a little ago I went for some water. I wasn't thinking. Niles, I'm fairly sure Sara saw me. And as I was only wearing your shirt from yesterday ( its what came to hand first) and a smile its fairly obvious what I was doing here. I'm so sorry, so so sorry. We are meant to be more careful than this. we've kept 'us' quiet for 18 months now. How could I be so careless?

Will we get fired? Would she tell my mother? You know mother is already super pissed because I'm still working for Maxwell.

I'm sorry to load this on you. I'm heading home now.

I love you, xx C.C

January 3 '83

Calm down woman! Why wouldn't you take my calls? You're being unbelievably dramatic.

So here it is;

1) yes, Mrs Sheffield saw you. This has led to a rather embarrassing chat over coffee. My closest friend, and employers, wife now holds more information about my love life than I'm comfortable with. And I'm very sure she will take great delight in teasing me over it, in the years to come. But, honestly, shes just happy for us. And as long as the children aren't around to witness anything untoward. She's not bothered.

2) no, she won't say a word, not even to husband. She knows your mother C.C, and she understands why you want to keep us from her. In fact she believes it best all round. She's under the impression that if your mother did find out she'd probably try and destroy, not only us, but the Sheffields too.

I hadn't realise just how powerful your mother seems to be. Could she really hurt Sheffield Productions? Maxwell is my oldest and dearest friend, I don't want to hurt him. But I absolutely won't give you up either.

How can being in love potentially upset so many?

3) Mrs Sheffield said not to worry. She has our backs.

What a way to start the new year, I love you

X N X

May 8 '83

C.C

I can't believe it! I just can't! She finally, FINALLY, gives us a nanny. Someone to watch, chase after and entertain the children. And then she goes and bloody fires her! Three days C.C! Three days of peace. That's all I got. Three days of no diapers. No cleaning with Miss Margaret 'helping' me. Three wonderful days. What happened? Do you know? Nanny Goss was perfectly good as far as I could see. Please sweetheart, please try and convince Mrs Sheffield to try again. I'm 37 years old, getting up at 5 am with Master Brighton and then trying to cook breakfast for the whole family with him climbing my legs, it's too much. I can't keep doing it. Someone's gotta help me with these kids.

She's your friend. Please, I'm begging you.

X N X

May 9 1983

What on Earth did you have for breakfast yesterday? Whine-a-bix?! Good heavens. You're lucky I'm already in love you as I think I'd have checked out with that last letter.

The fact is Mr Mop, you are your own worst enemy. She didn't take to Nanny Goss because she didn't do things the way you do. She didn't let Maggie dance around the kitchen, while you bake cookies. She didn't encourage Brighton to complete obstacle races when he got bored. She didn't have the children laughing and as happy as you get them. Darling, she said she's decided she wants the kids raised by family. Not some paid stranger. I really do think she forgets that you're the butler. I mean, you are family too. You and Maxwell are as close as brothers- in a really weird, yes sir, no sir kind of way. But she just sees she sees you love those kids.

So sorry, scrub brush. But it looks like you're very much stuck with the Rugrats. If it helps, you're super cute when you are dusting with a child clinging to your leg and the other sat on your shoulders.

Chin up,

Xx C.C