7th September, 1920
Rose finished plating Tilly's hair for school before tapping her shoulders. "James is in the living room. Go and say goodbye, he won't be here when you get home" she smiled gently at her. "OK…" Tilly stood up and walked off.
James was sat playing with his building blocks "James? Mum says I have to say goodbye" Tilly said. Jack and Rose heard from the kitchen and laughed a little at the way Tilly had informed him that she was saying goodbye because she had been told to "I'm glad we're raising an honest child… but there's such thing as being too honest sometimes" Rose chuckled.
"Oh… OK… bye" James replied "I hope you're happy with your grandma" Tilly said sincerely "thank you. I will be" James replied with a small smile. Tilly nodded and went back in to the kitchen where Jack and Rose were talking, Jack had hold of Sophia. "Right, shoes, bag and coat" she smiled at Tilly. Tilly nodded and went to get them. "Are you OK to watch Sophia whilst I drop Tilly off at school?" Rose asked. Jack had taken the day off work so he could be there when Audrey arrived. "Course" he nodded and kissed Rose's head. "Thanks, I'll be back in half an hour. Tilly? Have you got your stuff together?" She shouted through to the hall way. "Yes!" Tilly said running in and hugging Jack "bye Daddy" she smiled "bye Sophia" she smiled up to Sophia. "Bye darling. Have a good day" he said as he kissed her head. "I will" she smiled and ran for the door. "Bye" Rose kissed Jack and Sophia quickly before following Tilly to the door "bye James. See you in a minute" she shouted through to the living room as she left.
—
Jack spent most of the day with James, Rose joining every so often. At 2pm there was a knock at the door. Jack took a deep breathe as James jumped up excitedly. "Is that my grandma?!" "I think so, buddy" Jack forced a small smile. "I'll go answer it" he said but James followed him.
Jack answered the door to Audrey. A well put together woman younger than he thought. "Grandma!" James shouted and ran to her. "Hello dear!" She smiled and embraced him. "Jack, thank you ever so much for taking care of him. I appreciate it. I'm sorry my son and daughter in law sprung this on you" she nodded. "Not to worry, he's a lovely kid" 'is he?' Rose thought to herself. "Would you like to come in?" He offered "no thank you, we best be off. We don't want to miss our train and I'd like to buy him a comic or something to keep him entertained on the journey. Will you be keeping in touch?" She asked. "Yes" he nodded "we'll be sure to write" "fabulous… say goodbye to Jack, James… and sorry, I didn't catch your name?" She looked to Rose "Rose" she smiled back. "Bye Jack… Bye Rose. Thanks for letting me live here" of all the time he had lived here, that was only the second time Rose had heard James use manners. "You're welcome buddy, take care" he said, hugging him. Rose walked over "you're welcome. I hope you enjoy Florida" she smiled at him. "Come on James, we best be going. Thank you again the 2 of you. Take care" Audrey smiled as she and James walked away.
Jack shut the door once the two of them were out of sight and took a deep breathe. "You OK?" Rose asked, rubbing his back, waiting for him to turn around. He nodded and forced a weak smile "it's what's best for him, that's what matters. I know you weren't thrilled he was here, but he was the kid I brought up for a good few years" he smiled weakly. "It wasn't that I didn't like him here. It was that I didn't like his behaviour sometimes… but I think you're right, he'll be much better with Audrey… and we can write to him, and maybe visit him in the future" she nodded and wiped a stray tear from his face. "Come here" she pulled him in to a hug. He sighed and hugged her back "what time is it?" He asked "2.30" she replied as she pulled away from the hug. "We should go and get Tilly" he smiled a little. "You want to come?" She asked surprised, she assumed he would have wanted to stay home. "Yes" he nodded and headed back in to the living room, lifting up Sophia and carrying her over to her pram "let's go" he kissed Rose's head and pushed the pram outside.
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Jack and Rose arrived at school and waited for Tilly to come out. She skipped over upon seeing them. "Hey little lady" Jack smiled at her "hi Daddy… hi Mummy" "hi darling" she smiled at her. "You ready to head home?" She asked. "Yep" Tilly nodded and took Jack's hand as they left the school.
"Has James gone?" Tilly asked. Jack nodded "yes darling" "so it's just me, you, mummy and Sophia now?" She asked "yes" he nodded. "OK" Tilly nodded, unsure how to feel.
They arrived home and Tilly took her coat off. "Can I go and play in my bedroom?" She asked "yes, dinner will be ready soon though" Rose said as she went to place Sophia in her rocker. "OK" Tilly ran up the stairs. "What do you want to eat?" She asked Jack "I'm not really that hungry" "OK… I'll make pasta, then you can have some if you want" she smiled a little. "Thanks" he said as he too took his coat off.