Day 75 - Finding a Voice

WhatsApp Group:

Sarah: The tosser's actually packing his bags girls🎉🙌
Vyshali: Charlie?
Sarah: Of course Charlie!! The biggest tosspot we know!

Me: So pleased for you!!X

Vyshali: Good riddance!🥳🥳🎉

Me: How's the atmosphere? Do you need to get out? X

Sarah: It's not great but I daren't go anywhere in case the bastard nicks something when my back's turned. Already caught him trying to pocket my potato peeler😤

Vyshali: Dickhead!!!

Karen: I'd come over but I'm on the way to the demonstration in town xx

Sarah: It's ok Karen. I think he's nearly packed now. Wish I could come along to the demo x

Me: Cleo's on her way there too. John's dropping her off. Expecting him back soon. So a fun afternoon of him panicking ahead.

Karen: I'll keep my eye out for her Daisy. Not easy with all these masks around though. Sure she'll be fine.

Me: Thanks Kaz X Let me know if there's anything I can do Sarah xx
Karen: We'll hit the clubs as soon as they open🍹🍹

Sarah: Can't wait!!! Thanks girls xxx😘

Vyshali: 😘😘

All in all, I had a pretty pleasant afternoon with the twins. They completely thrashed me on Fifa, then we finally opened the jigsaw that my Aunt Florence had given them for Christmas. I was surprised that John hadn't yet returned from dropping Cleo near the park where the protest was going on, but I guessed that traffic was an issue around town. 

     "Do you have go back to work on Monday, Mum?"  Molly asked as I cleared a big space on the dining room table.

     "Yep. It's time for me to go back now, but your Dad's still gonna be working from home for a little while."
     "I've liked having us all home together every day," Molly said.
     "It has been nice, hasn't it?" I said, wistfully. "I'm gonna miss you loads."

     "So Dad's gonna be making our lunch?" Marcus asked.

     "I'm sure he can manage that, Marcus. Anyway guys ….. you can help him, can't you? You can make the things that I taught you in our home-school cookery lessons."

     They groaned a bit. 

     "Don't worry. I won't be going in every day at first, so I'll be home with you some days."

     They seemed quite satisfied with this. We ate sweets, chatted about this and that and before I knew it, it was 4 o'clock. "Where on earth's your father?" I asked.

     "Oh. Cleo sent us some pictures," Marcus said, tapping at the screen of his phone. "Look!"

     I looked at Marcus's phone, taking in the image before me. "You have got to be …..." I trailed off. The bottom half of his face was covered by a surgical mask, but I'd know those eyes and that forehead anywhere. John - huge sign held proudly aloft and Cleo at his side (having obviously taken the selfie). After weeks of living in complete and utter dread of crossing paths with all other humans, he was at a bloody protest of all things.

     At that very moment, I heard clattering coming from the back door. We all went into the kitchen to find John and Cleo depositing placards on the doorstep, masks dangling around their necks.  "It was amazing, guys!" John was saying, his eyes sparkling and alive.

     "I can't believe you went to the demo!" I said.
     "Daisy, it was brilliant!" he enthused. "So many people!"
     "And yet Dad managed to be one of the loudest ones there," said Cleo. It was hard to read her. Had he been a support or an embarrassment?
     John laughed heartily. "Oh yes. I still have a good pair of lungs on me."
     "Didn't need a megaphone, did you Dad?" Then, Cleo actually laughed and patted her father's arm, proudly.
     Shit! I didn't see this coming.
     "You know, being part of something like that, took me back, Daisy," he said dreamily. "I wish you'd been there."
     "Well, I have the bin bag ready and the washing machine open. Bin those masks, then you'd both better get those clothes off and onto a sixty degree wash."
     "Pardon? Oh, yeah ….. we probably should," John said. Cool as a 🥒
    I actually give up!!