Mums Just Wanna Have Fun

by Lucie Wheeler

  ‘Yes, thanks for that.’ She rolled her eyes.

  ‘Oh, was it a car crash? Sorry, I thought it would be nice for you two to chat, he said Aiden was at the club and I found him kind of aimlessly wandering around looking like a lost sheep whilst his sister and that were off playing in the pool. You know, I think he struggles to shut off from work.’

  Nancy laughed. ‘Coming from you?’

  ‘Hey, I’m getting better!’

  ‘I’m not having a go – just find it funny that you should notice something like that.’

  ‘Well I guess he is similar to me so I notice these things. I get it – it’s hard when you have a full on job to just shut off. ‘

  Nancy held her hand up. ‘This is a work free zone, no work talk.’ Harriet locked her mouth and chucked the key. ‘Anyway, it wasn’t a car crash. It was quite nice. We sat on the balcony and ate our ice creams and had a nice chat.’ Harriet raised her eyebrow. ‘What?’

  ‘And what was this nice chat about? Did he declare his love for you – are you going to run away into the sunset and make lots of babies?’

  ‘Hari!’

  ‘What? Let me have my fantasy. It’s nearly time to go home and resume the chaotic hecticness that is my life, let me daydream one last time before my brain becomes a mush of meetings and numbers and projects.’

  ‘We had a really nice chat and he kind of opened up to me – he’s a lot deeper than we thought…’

  Harriet sat up straighter. ‘Ooh, that sounds like you have gossip. What’s the gossip?’ Nancy went to speak but Harriet held up her hand. ‘Wait, do we need cocktails for this? Stupid question, we always need cocktails for this. Let me go grab some and you can tell me all about Mr Mysterious.’ She jumped up before Nancy could decline the offer and practically ran over to the bar.

  ‘Right here we go, one Tom Collins for you.’ She sat back down on the lounger and sipped her drink; it was good! ‘So, spill.’

  Nancy sipped hers and shook her head. ‘I don’t want to talk about him and his private business. He’s just a deep soul.’

  Harriet made a pfft sort of noise which caused Nancy to flick her head up and ask what the sound was. ‘Nance, you can’t tell me he’s all deep and then not tell me why. That’s just teasing. I’m your best mate, come on, if you can’t tell me who can you tell?’

  ‘I get that, I just feel bad. I don’t know if I should be telling people his stuff. I wouldn’t want him going round talking about what I’ve said.’

  ‘What did you say?’ Harriet questioned.

  ‘No, nothing. I just mean, conversations like that are private aren’t they?’ She drank more of her drink.

  ‘Yeah I get that, but I’m hardly going to shout it from the rooftops am I? I just want to know a little about the man that you like.’ She held her hand up as Nancy began to protest that she didn’t like him like that. ‘I know I know, you’re just having a bit of fun, you don’t actually like him like that and blahdy blahdy blah…’

  ‘I just feel bad, like I’m gossiping.’

  ‘Well technically you are – just with me. Come on, I won’t say anything. What’s that saying … hoes before bros?’

  Nancy burst out laughing, spraying some of her Tom Collins over Tommy who was sat in front of her playing with a sunglasses case. He turned round at the sudden moisture shower and Harriet couldn’t help but fall about laughing at his little reaction.

  ‘Oh my God, Tommy I’m so sorry!’ Nancy picked him up and gave him a cuddle as Harriet rolled back on her lounger, laughing so hard her stomach hurt.

  ‘Hari, I’m so sorry – you watch he’ll be rolling around later, half pissed on cocktails.’

  ‘Then I’ll be saying “that’s my boy.”’ She sat up and composed herself. ‘Right, anyway, you were about to tell me about Cameron. Why is he so mysterious?’

  Nancy hesitated but then said, ‘OK but you don’t tell a soul and you don’t tell him that you know.’

  ‘Cross my heart and hope to die.’ She crossed over her bikini.

  ‘Aiden is adopted and Cameron’s ex left because she didn’t want to be a family anymore and he has been single-handedly raising him ever since.’ Harriet gasped. ‘Wait, I’m not even finished. Last night, he didn’t turn up to the dinner date because he found out that his ex is now pregnant with one of his work colleagues.’

  ‘It’s like a TV drama!’ Harriet’s mouth dropped open. ‘My God, that is juicy gossip!’

  ‘No! It’s not gossip, I’m not gossiping. We are just talking.’ She pulled a face. ‘Don’t make me sound like a gossiping bitch.’

  Harriet laughed at her friend’s panic; she was so lovely and always trying so hard to please everyone. The fact that this had got her so worked up was kind of sweet. ‘Oh relax its fine. Wow, bless him.’

  ‘I know. He’s not got it easy.’

  ‘Well good on him for doing it. I tell you what, a doctor, a father who adopted a kid and then raised him on his own and those looks … you wanna watch your back because if you don’t want him, I certainly wouldn’t say no.’ Nancy threw her towel at Harriet who ducked to avoid it. ‘Hey, don’t be mad because you have healthy competition.’

  ‘I’m not, you are welcome to him if you want him – he’s not my property.’

  Harriet decided to test this theory. ‘OK, great. So you don’t mind if I chat to him later and ask if he wants to go for a drink seeing as you have swanned off twice now?’

  ‘No.’ Nancy replied in a clipped tone.

  ‘And if I manage to get a kiss out of him, some holiday romance before we leave … that would be OK with you?’ She tried to hide the smile.

  ‘It’s fine.’

  Harriet nodded and then stayed quiet. She knew Nancy inside out and knew it would only be a matter of time before…

  ‘But maybe I could just see where things are going with us first…’

  ‘I bloody knew it!’ Harriet shook her head. ‘You aren’t fooling me missy, you are well and truly besotted with the handsome doctor.’

  ‘I’m not, I just find him interesting that’s all – intellectually stimulating. We have some good, solid conversations and—’

  ‘And you want to jump on him and ravish his sexy body.’

  ‘Oh my God, Hari,’ Nancy said as she stood up. ‘Have you no shame?’ Harriet poked her tongue out, answering her friend’s question. ‘And have you seen your son?’

  Harriet stopped in her tracks and looked to where Tommy was sitting but noticed he had moved forward slightly and was at the water’s edge, on his tummy, patting the water and splashing it, smiling away. The pool was graduated so he was able to enjoy the pool with his top half without getting his legs in. ‘Oh my God, Nance, he’s playing in the water.’ Her eyes were wide in wonder. ‘What’s happening?’

  Nancy laughed. ‘He’s enjoying playing in the water.’

  Harriet sat up and grabbed her phone. ‘Oh my God, I have to take a picture of this.’ She snapped it and then lowered her phone and watched him. He was having the time of his life, giggling away and splashing his hands down creating sprays of water on his face.

  Harriet held out her hand and touched Nancy’s. ‘Nance, he’s doing it. He’s in the water.’ She stood up and grabbed the little water shoes out of her bag that she’d bought for Isla but that she didn’t want to wear. They didn’t do any in Tommy’s size but she had an idea. She sat down next to him and picked him up, placing him on her lap. ‘Hey little man, look at you being a big boy and playing with the water.’ She smiled at him and he smiled back. Her heart grew. ‘Let’s try something.’

  She was nervous. But equally she felt a sense of confidence; she was his mummy and she should be there to help him overcome his fears. She took the little shoes and put them on his feet, all the while her heart racing with anticipation. His smile faded but he didn’t move. She used the ties on the top to tighten them as much as she could and then she used her hairbands from her wrist to tie them on his feet so they stayed on. ‘Mummy
is here, let’s just try this.’ She shuffled forward on her bum, keeping her hands wrapped around his waist. She felt him tense as his feet neared the water’s edge, but she kept talking to him, telling him it was OK. Her whole body tensed as she watched his little rubber covered feet enter the water. She did it slowly, bit by bit, waiting for the wail. But it never came. He squirmed a little initially but then when he realised that the water wasn’t actually on his feet, he relaxed a little and looked at her.

  ‘There we go! You’re so clever! We are in the water, Tommy.’ She couldn’t dilute the excited face she was pulling and in response, Tommy looked back at her and giggled as the water rolled over his shoes.

  The swell of pride that overcame her was immense. This is what parenting was all about. These moments right here. She pulled him closer and squeezed him. They were going to be alright, she just knew it.

  Chapter 43

  ‘OK bakers; are you ready to make some masterpieces?’

  Nancy glanced nervously at Jack who was wide eyed at the amount of people inside the lavishly decorated hall. Streamers of rainbow colours adorned the ceiling alongside what seemed to be hundreds of balloons too. The tables had been rearranged from their usual nightly set up to rows of tables where children could work on their creations. It was surprising how many people had turned up because Nancy imagined a lot of children to be in bed or getting ready to go to bed. It was an activity for the older children but obviously, as it was a holiday, there were quite a few younger ones here too. In the corner of the hall there was a soft play set up for any really small children to chill in whilst the activity was taking place, but generally the younger ones had taken to running aimlessly around the room, high on pudding and sugar. The noise was probably a bit much for Jack, if Nancy was honest with herself, but she had managed to get him here which was progress, even if it was only on the guise that he would see Aiden here and he could then show him his iPad.

  ‘Where’s Aiden?’ he asked, tugging at her teal green tea dress which had pink flamingos and foliage on. It was Harriet’s dress – a little too out there for Nancy – but she had borrowed it to try and look dressier knowing she would see Cameron here tonight.

  She glanced around the room, trying to spot either Aiden or Cameron. ‘I’m not sure yet, let’s go and grab a table over there and that way we will be able to see the doorway when they arrive. How does that sound?’ Jack shrugged and followed her silently, looking around. She could see by his expression that he was simply scanning the room, taking it all in, a mental photograph to refer back to at a later date.

  They set up at one of the tables which wasn’t too close to where all the action was. Nancy wasn’t sure that Jack was even going to join in but she figured she had more hope of him doing so if he wasn’t right next to all the commotion and drama. Harriet sidled up next to her wearing the most gorgeous black mini dress, which had a bold floral print and long, winged sleeves. The neckline gave a choker effect and she looked absolutely stunning – as per usual. ‘I don’t know if Isla is going to want to do it. She’s having a strop.’

  ‘About what?’ Nancy glanced over to Isla who was standing about a metre away from Harriet, a serious pout going on and her arms crossed in defiance. She looked exactly like a mini Harriet. Not that Nancy would say that to her face.

  ‘I told her she had to make the masterpieces first and that she might not be able to eat it afterwards.’ Harriet pulled out her compact mirror and touched up her vibrant red lipstick which set off the effect of the dress.

  ‘Oh dear, didn’t go down too well then?’ Nancy eyed the red lipstick, wondering if she could ever pull something so daring off.

  ‘What do you think? The poor girl only wants to eat cake and Mummy said no. I think I would cry too, to be fair.’ She turned to face her. ‘Are you going to join in?’ Isla shook her head and stamped her feet. ‘There’s your answer,’ she said back to Nancy.

  ‘What about Tommy?’ Nancy looked at him standing up at the table having pulled himself up to grab at the tools laid out for the bakers. ‘He looks keen to try it.’

  ‘Yeah, count me and Tommy in, Isla might join in once she sees the others do it, hey?’

  ‘I want some cake!’ she said, stamping her foot yet again.

  ‘Well, I want a million pounds darling but I’m afraid we don’t always get what we want in life.’

  Nancy laughed. ‘That is such a mum thing to say.’ She glanced over Harriet’s shoulder and spotted Cameron walking in with Aiden on his shoulders. The two of them were laughing and Nancy found herself smiling as she watched them. Aiden was high on Cameron’s shoulders, and his little face lit up as he giggled away at Cameron bouncing him as they walked. His laugh could be heard right across the hall even with the noise level so high and as they reached about halfway, Cameron spotted Nancy and his own face lit up. He walked over – half walking, half bouncing, cue more giggles – and as he reached them jolted Aiden forward and caught him in his arms amidst proper belly laughs.

  Nancy’s heart jumped as she watched Aiden’s little body fly over Cameron’s head and land in his arms. Something they clearly did many times but was terrifying to watch. She had her hand on her chest as she said, ‘My God, that scared the life out of me!’

  ‘Ah he’s alright; he’s only ever fallen off twice.’ Nancy’s eyes opened wide at this revelation. ‘I’m kidding,’ he laughed. ‘It was three times.’ Nancy playfully hit him as he laughed it off. ‘So you decided to join us today, that’s great.’ He peered round Nancy at Jack who was standing holding his iPad and staring wide-eyed at Aiden.

  ‘Jack has something he wanted to show Aiden so he insisted we came.’ She held out her arm to try and encourage Jack forward.

  ‘What did you wanna show me, Jack?’ Aiden bounced forward and Jack noticeably flinched at the sudden movement towards him.

  ‘Remember buddy, nice and calm.’ Cameron winked at Aiden and he immediately slowed down his approach.

  Nancy looked at Cameron and whispered, ‘He is so good.’

  ‘He tries his best,’ he replied.

  Jack stood for a moment in silence, repeatedly looking from Nancy to Aiden and back. Nancy nodded and tried to silently encourage him and after a moment he said. ‘I’ve got a tablet too. This is my iPad.’

  ‘That’s awesome Jack, it’s like mine. What games do you have on it?’ Aiden moved to be beside Jack but Jack took a step to the side as he replied, moving to keep that little bit of distance between them. He relayed the games he had on there and then started talking about the programmes he liked to watch.

  ‘Isla, no!’

  Nancy spun round at Harriet’s raised voice and saw Isla standing with a mouthful of cake and biscuits, a look of horror that she hadn’t been quick enough to swallow before her mum noticed.

  Harriet grabbed her hand and stormed past Nancy. ‘I’m taking her to the toilet to clean up, can you watch Tommy?’ and she left before Nancy had time to answer.

  Tommy tried to follow Harriet so Nancy swiped him up into her arms. ‘Hey little man, where do you think you’re going?’ He wriggled in her arms and tried to get free. ‘I’m sorry Mister; you’re not following out of here. Stay with me for a minute.’ More squirming and now screaming. Full blown tantrum scream. Nancy flinched as the high-pitched noise rang through, right into her ear and she recoiled her head.

  ‘Hey, listen little man, Mummy will be back soon,’ Cameron cooed but Nancy shook her head.

  ‘No he’s not crying for that, he wants to get down so he can crawl out of the hall door now that it is open.’ She nodded to the door that was still wide open from when Harriet stormed through it, Isla in tow.

  ‘WAHHHHHHH!’ Tommy continued his tantrum which seemed to have risen up a few decibels again.

  Suddenly Jack was at Nancy’s side tugging at her dress. ‘Too noisy!’ he said, grimacing at Tommy’s wails.

  ‘I know sweetheart, I’m sorry. Tommy’s just a bit upset.’

  ‘I don’t like i
t,’ he responded.

  Cameron tried to step forward towards Jack but he just recoiled, putting his hands on his ears.

  ‘Shall we go over there boys, where it’s not so noisy for you Jack?’ Jack shook his head, clearly distressed.

  ‘Do you want me to take Tommy while you sort Jack?’

  Nancy tried to hand over Tommy but he just screamed louder, bucking his body and trying to free himself. By this time there were numerous stares from other people in the hall. Some supportive and clearly feeling sorry for Nancy and others with a look of disproval and judgement. Nancy refrained from shouting oh I’m sorry, has your child never had a tantrum before and instead opted to try and soothe Tommy again. ‘It’s fine,’ she called over his cries. ‘But I tell you what you could do.’ Cameron nodded. ‘In my bag over there under the table are Jack’s headphones, do you want to see if he will let you give them to him?’

  Cameron immediately responded and strode over to the bag whilst Nancy continued to try and calm Tommy who was now in full pelt strop, his face a bright crimson colour and hiccupping as he tried to breathe through the screaming. ‘Shh, come on Tommy. Just a few more minutes and you can get down. What’s this? Do you want to try my sunglasses on?’

  He pushed them away.

  ‘How about my necklace, look, you always like playing with my necklace.’

  Another squirm and accelerated scream.

  She looked up as she heard Jack’s shout. A distressed cry as Cameron tried to hand him the headphones. Oh God, she thought, she could see the escalation signs with him. He was getting anxious because of this noise and he was so worked up now that he wasn’t able to see anything but the angst. Cameron looked up to her waiting for guidance as to what to do. ‘Here,’ she said to him, handing him Tommy. ‘He is going to be the easier one of the two.’

  Cameron looked at the sweaty, beetroot mess that Tommy was and replied, ‘Really?’ as he took him.

  ‘Trust me,’ she replied, feeling her own anxiety level rise up. She really didn’t want Jack to have a full-blown meltdown in here. Not in front of all these people. She felt judged enough as it was, she didn’t need that negativity too. Cameron stood with Tommy who was now screaming again at full throttle. Nancy could see Jack starting to rock in the seated position he had put himself on the floor. His face screwed up in turmoil, tears starting to fall down his cheek. She held out his headphones and touched his arm. ‘Jack, here, put these on.’ His arms flung out and knocked them away. She looked as they slid across the floor.