James

Breakfast time.

Charlotte is up and about, refusing to stay in bed. And, while she is still tired, I see no reason to insist on bedrest. Right now, she will do far better for being back at home and enjoying ‘family life’.

Nonetheless, I’ve encouraged her to wear a woolly housecoat over the nightie, slippers and bed socks. Hopefully, that will prevent her trying to go outdoors. The fog outside hasn’t cleared yet and I don’t want the damp settling on her chest.

She's too pale. At least, she's always pale, but that's her natural colouring. Right now, there's still that pallid edge to her complexion that I don't care for.

Almost a week of being chained in her own shit.

Living on crap junk food.

Scared half mindless…

Blood loss from the birth...

Hmmm...

Charlotte sits with Cara on her lap, providing her breakfast and Beth sits close by making cooing noises.

She’ll enjoy a good breakfast…

And with that in mind, I’m at the hob with bacon, fried and scrambled eggs, tomatoes, mushrooms, black pudding and fried bread.

I rummage through the fridge, seeking inspiration. It's barely stocked. We've spent the last few days living on food from the freezer.

clean white tee-shirt, jeans and trainers and looking exactly not as though he spent the last week under horrendous stress,

have to make up a

“Good idea.”

Mother Hubbard’s cupboard in there. I'll pop across to the hotel. Raid their supplies.

Watercress. Anything like

me five. I'll be right

citrus fruits while she’s breastfeeding. Oh, and this…” He brandishes a jar. “Some kind of chutney. Apparently, it’s from the last of the green tomatoes a few months back

I’ve no guinea pigs in the larder and I’d prefer she uses mutton

eyes at me then pulls up a chair, comparing notes

table… Butter, marmalade, strawberry jam, milk, cream, muesli, yoghurt, fruit

are you doing, Charlotte? I’m

Master.” She ‘unhooks’ Cara from the breast… “Are you sure this is alright? With

giving you something suitable. You need to take them until that chest infection clears,

on the table. “There you go, everyone.

tomatoes and bacon. “We should be finishing decorating the tree today and getting

answering smile is broad and bright. “I’d love

a long nail on the table. “Charlotte, will you show me how you make those little paper

need some

those in the hotel,” says Michael. “I’ll see what’s out of date in Reception…” He trails off, eyes passing

turn, following

Klempner. Both are freshly showered

foot to the other. Mitch sucks at

you may. Charlotte, where are your manners? Budge up, make some space for your parents. Michael, set two extra places, please. Larry, tea or

*****

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