by Annie Lyons
‘Quite sure,’ said Cat. The ball hit her left ankle before she knew what was happening.
‘Out!’ cried Charlie.
‘How is that out?’ protested Cat. ‘And where are my stumps?’
‘It’s French cricket, duh,’ said Ellie.
‘You have to protect your legs,’ said Daisy kindly. ‘Anyone can bowl and you can’t move. You have to spin round to stop it hitting you.’
‘Yeah, duh,’ laughed Finn.
At that moment Cat could have happily batted Finn’s head into the sea but she remained defiant. ‘Well I haven’t played for ages, so how about I get another go?’
Finn tapped a finger against his lips with teasing uncertainty. ‘Oh I don’t know. What do you think, guys?’ he said to the children.
‘I think we should let her have another go,’ said Daisy with customary sweetness.
‘Thank you, Daisy.’ Cat smiled.
‘Ohhh o-kay,’ said Ellie with emphasis. ‘But this is your last chance.’
Charlie had the ball. He threw it smartly through the air but this time Cat was ready. She swung back and smacked it squarely into the sea. ‘Finn’s ball,’ she cried with a smug grin. The children giggled and Finn was forced to wade into the sea to fetch it. He emerged with slightly damp shorts and a ruthless look on his face. He bounced lightly on his toes before delivering the sodden ball with some force. Cat managed to hit it but received a face full of wet sand for her troubles. She glared at Finn. This was war.
‘Out!’ cried Charlie holding up the ball he’d just caught.
‘Well done, mate,’ said Finn, grinning victoriously at Cat. She stuck out her tongue.
‘Auntie Cat!’ cried Ellie scandalised.
‘Told off by a six-year-old.’ Finn tutted as she walked past him to a fielding position.
‘Whevs,’ she muttered, realising how juvenile she sounded.
‘Actually, Cat, could you field on the shoreline please?’ asked Finn looking innocent. ‘Obviously the girls can’t,’ he added reasonably.
‘Fine,’ said Cat, kicking off her sandals and making her way down onto the soggy sand. Even though the sun was warm, the water was decidedly chilly and there was a brisk breeze whipping around her legs. She jogged on the spot to keep warm.
‘By the way, I can see your pants,’ declared Finn much to the amusement of the children and everyone else in earshot.
Cat pulled down her dress. I actually hate that man, she thought. ‘Are we playing or not?’ she retorted.
It was Ellie’s turn to bowl, which she did swiftly, missing her target by quite a distance. Daisy picked up the ball and threw it straight past Charlie to Finn. Cat could see the concentration on her nephew’s face. He kept his eye on the ball and as Finn bowled, he caught it with perfect timing. The ball lifted high into the air straight towards Cat. Adrenaline-fuelled determination coursed through her body. She would wipe that smug grin off Finn’s face; she would show him. She took a step back into the lapping waves and lost her footing. There was no way you could fall with style; catwalk models and red-carpet actresses had tried over the years but the truth was, falling on your arse was a great leveller.
As Cat felt the icy water seep into her very bones, she was hit with the realisation that this was a new low. She gasped with shock and scrambled to regain her composure as Finn ran over to help her up. She could see that he was doing his best not to laugh and failing miserably at the task. The children and several onlookers were helpless with mirth. Finn hauled Cat to her feet and wrapped a towel around her shoulders.
‘Are you okay?’ he asked between guffaws.
She looked at him and then at the children. She had no choice but to join in. ‘Yes, I’m fine but my dignity is in tatters,’ she laughed.
‘Come on,’ he said, putting an arm around her shoulder. It felt strange but not unpleasant. ‘You’ll soon dry out.’ She let him lead her to the towel where the children gathered around.
‘That was very funny, Auntie Cat,’ said Ellie honestly. ‘Are you all right?’
‘Sort of,’ admitted Cat.
‘Poor Cat,’ said Daisy, giving her a hug.
‘Sorry, Cat. It was my fault. I hit the ball,’ said Charlie looking sheepish.
‘Don’t be silly.’ Cat smiled. ‘It was a brilliant hit. I just slipped.’ Charlie nodded gratefully and sat down on the blanket. Daisy linked her arm through Cat’s and Ellie sat on the other side, resting against her aunt. Cat was shivery but felt oddly content sitting quietly in the sun with the kids.
A few minutes later Finn appeared. ‘I took the liberty,’ he said, handing out ice-creams to the children and a lidded paper cup to Cat.
‘Thank you,’ she said lifting the lid. The smell of hot chocolate wafted into her nostrils. It was topped with whipped cream, marshmallows and chocolate shavings.
‘Woah!’ cried Ellie impressed. ‘That’s a luxury hot chocolate. You are so lucky.’
Cat would never normally drink something so calorific and decadent but she didn’t want to appear rude. She took a tentative sip for the sake of appearances. She would nurse the drink for a while and bin it later. She wasn’t prepared for the sensation that spread through her body at the taste. She took another sip. And another. She couldn’t explain it but, somehow, she was being transported back to a different time when her world was simpler and less cluttered. ‘It’s delicious,’ she answered truthfully.
Finn held her gaze for a moment. ‘I’m glad,’ he said.
She smiled. ‘Actually, could I borrow your jumper, please? I’m a bit chilly.’
‘Sure.’ He grinned and handed it over. ‘No problem.’
Chapter Fourteen
In the best tradition of British holiday weather, the next day was a washout. Cat drew back her curtains to reveal a wind-whipped sky, the washed-out clouds moving across it like drifting smoke. Fat drops of rain landed with some force on the windowpane. Even Finn the adventurer had to concede that this wasn’t a day for going out.
‘We can have a movie day. We’ve got popcorn.’ The kids agreed enthusiastically. The problem came when they tried to decide what to watch.
‘Frozen!’ chorused Daisy and Ellie.
‘No way,’ said Charlie, folding his arms.
‘How about,’ suggested Finn, ‘Charlie chooses three films and you girls pick one of them.’
‘O-kay,’ said Ellie suspiciously.
‘Skyfall,’ began Charlie.
‘They need to be age-appropriate, mate,’ said Finn.
Charlie rolled his eyes. ‘I’m not watching a baby film.’
Ellie frowned. ‘We are not babies.’
‘You like babies’ films,’ declared Charlie.
‘Shut up, Charlie,’ shouted Ellie.
‘You shut up, squirt.’
‘Don’t call me that!’
‘Why, squirt?’ replied Charlie with a smirk. Ellie launched herself forward, pummelling her brother with her fists.
‘Okay, that’s enough,’ said Cat, taking hold of Ellie’s shoulders.
Charlie scowled at her. ‘What’s it got to do with you? You’re not our mum.’
‘True. But I am in charge while you’re with me.’
Charlie gave a derisory snort. ‘You’re not in charge of me.’
‘For the record, young man, I am in charge and I can leave Ellie here and take you home if I need to.’
‘You wouldn’t do that,’ said Charlie but there was something about his tone that suggested he wasn’t sure.
‘Try me,’ said Cat. ‘Carry on with this attitude and rudeness and I’ll have you in that car before you can say “99 Flake”.’
‘Ooh yes please,’ said Daisy dreamily.
Charlie was staring at Cat now. She could see hurt behind his eyes and knew he was troubled. ‘Look, I know you miss your mum,’ she ventured.
‘You don’t know anything!’ cried Charlie. ‘About me or her or any of us! You’re just here while Mum’s away and then you’ll leave. You d
on’t care what happens to us.’
‘That’s not true,’ said Cat, gently touching him on the arm. ‘I do care. Is this about the boys in the park? Are they bullying you?’
Charlie looked up at her, his face betraying anger and fear. ‘Stop trying to interfere. You don’t know anything about my life. You’re a bloody bitch and I hate you.’
‘Charlie, that’s enough. Stop it now.’ Finn’s voice was direct and fierce. It made them all stop in their tracks.
Charlie flushed red with embarrassed anger; it was one thing to argue with his aunt but to be the subject of Finn’s disappointment was a different matter. Seconds later, he rushed from the room without looking back. They heard him stomp up the stairs and slam his door.
‘Well that went well,’ said Cat after a pause. She felt as if she’d been hit in the gut. Cat had been under the misapprehension that she and Charlie had an understanding but obviously they hadn’t even made it out of the starting blocks. Ellie began to cry and then Daisy started in solidarity. Cat looked desperately at Finn. He gave a reassuring smile before bundling the girls into his arms.
‘Now come on, you two. No tears. Charlie’s just missing his mum.’
‘I miss my mum too,’ said Ellie, fearing exclusion from their sympathy.
‘So do I!’ wailed Daisy.
‘I know you do but you will see them again soon and we’re on holiday so let’s try and have some fun eh?’ They stared at him wide-eyed and awed before nodding bravely. ‘Good girls. How about we put on Frozen and make some popcorn?’
‘But what about Charlie?’ sniffed Ellie with more loyalty than he probably deserved.
‘He’ll be fine,’ reassured Finn. ‘I’ll go and make sure he’s okay. You girls watch your film, all right?’
‘Can we dress up?’ asked Daisy.
‘Of course. You can both be Elsa.’
‘I’m usually Elsa and she’s Anna,’ said Ellie, ever in charge. Daisy nodded shyly. The girls went upstairs to find their costumes while Cat joined Finn in the kitchen. He set about making some popcorn in the microwave. Soon the space was filled with the satisfying sound and smell of popping kernels.
‘Thanks for that,’ she said after a pause.
‘For what?’ he asked.
‘For intervening with Charlie.’
He smiled. ‘No need to thank me. You were handling it perfectly. I just didn’t appreciate his choice of language.’
‘No – not ideal in front of six-year-olds.’
‘True but I didn’t like the way he spoke to you either. You don’t deserve it.’ He turned to face her, his expression serious.
She looked past him towards the window. ‘Well thank you.’
‘Cat, can I say something?’
‘Sure,’ she replied, although she felt a rising dread. She had wanted to avoid these ‘cards on the table’ type exchanges with Finn.
‘I get the feeling that you don’t really like me,’ he began.
‘That’s not true,’ protested Cat. ‘It’s just that you – ’
‘What?’ asked Finn, holding his palms open. ‘Help me out, Cat. What am I doing wrong?’
She stared at him. He actually gave a damn about what she thought. She took a deep breath. ‘You know how to do all this,’ she replied, gesturing round the kitchen.
‘If you mean washing up, then that’s not true. You should see how I leave an egg pan. Ask Ronnie,’ he joked.
She rolled her eyes. ‘You know what I mean. This! This world of kids and their extra-terrestrial behaviours.’
‘Can we have some Maltesers in with the popcorn, please?’ called Ellie from the living room.
Cat shivered. ‘See what I mean? Who has Maltesers in their popcorn? They are aliens living among us.’
Finn laughed. ‘Well that particular concoction is actually surprisingly delicious. You should try it.’ He turned to face her. ‘To be honest, that’s kind of what I’m talking about.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘I mean,’ he said, taking the bowl of popcorn out of the microwave and emptying a packet of Maltesers into it, ‘give in to it. I don’t have all the answers about kids, I’ve just had more experience of it. But I do know you’ve got to stop resisting it to be able to enjoy it.’
‘Am I resisting it?’ she asked with genuine curiosity.
‘You’re clinging onto your old world like a life raft. My advice, if you want to hear it, is to jump in and swim with us for a bit. You might surprise yourself.’ Cat held his gaze for a moment. It was a perfectly reasonable suggestion and she could see that he meant it in an entirely friendly, non-preachy way. ‘And I’m sorry if you think I’m a know-it-all. Ronnie tells me the same so I’ll try not to laud my brilliance over you,’ he joked. ‘But I will tease you if you fall into the sea again.’
Cat laughed. ‘Okay then.’
He held out the bowl. ‘Dive in,’ he said. She regarded him for a second before sighing and helping herself to a clump of popcorn mixed with melting Malteser. She closed her eyes as she put it into her mouth, anticipating complete revulsion. It was weirdly delicious, like something Heston Blumenthal might serve up, although probably only after he’d vacuum-packed it in a balloon.
‘And?’ asked Finn amused.
‘Not bad,’ she declared, claiming the bowl.
He grinned. ‘I thought I might go and check on Charlie, unless you want to?’
Cat was grateful for the offer. ‘Be my guest. I think I’ll just annoy him if I go.’
‘You’re always irritated by the people you care most about,’ said Finn taking a handful of popcorn as he passed. ‘If you didn’t give a damn about them, they wouldn’t annoy you as much.’
A thought flickered across Cat’s brain like a candle in the breeze but she snuffed it out before it could take hold. ‘Thanks,’ she called after him, carrying the bowl over to where the girls were watching trailers before the main event.
‘Ooh, popcorn!’ cried Ellie. The two girls picked up a handful each and crammed it into their mouths. Cat was always amazed at how messy children actually were.
‘Mind your lovely dresses,’ she told them.
‘Chill, Auntie Cat,’ said Ellie. ‘There’s nothing you can spill that can’t be cleaned with a baby wipe.’
‘It’s true.’ Daisy nodded sagely.
‘Well still, go easy eh?’ she said, reaching forwards and picking up some scattered popcorn pieces from the floor. Ellie took another handful, dropping more onto the floor in the process. Cat realised that it was pointless trying to clear around children – like shovelling snow whilst it was still snowing. Finn appeared on the stairs.
‘Is he okay?’ asked Cat, glancing up at him.
‘He’s fine. Embarrassed but fine. He’s listening to music and drawing. He seems pretty happy. I think you might get an apology later.’
‘Thanks,’ sighed Cat. ‘I just wish I could download a manual so that I knew how a child’s mind worked.’ She glanced over at Ellie who was balancing a Malteser on her nose. ‘Or maybe I don’t.’ Ellie flipped the sweet expertly into her mouth, receiving an impressed round of applause from her friend.
‘Every parent wishes they had that manual too if it’s any consolation. It just doesn’t exist. You can’t control every aspect of your life.’
‘I used to be able to,’ said Cat ruefully.
‘But was that a good thing?’
‘I liked it,’ said Cat looking at him.
‘You might grow to like this version of life too.’
Cat wasn’t so sure. ‘Maybe.’
‘You don’t have to run the world, Cat. Sometimes you just have to exist and see what happens.’
‘Is that what you do?’
‘Mostly. Obviously I have my job and looking after Daisy but I’m not a big planner.’
Cat laughed. ‘You and I couldn’t be more different if we tried.’
Finn shrugged. ‘Different strokes for different folks. Doesn’t mean we can’t be friends.�
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‘I guess not.’ Cat smiled.
‘Shhhhh!’ hissed Ellie. ‘The grown-ups have to stop talking now. The film is about to start.’ Cat and Finn exchanged amused glances. Daisy clambered next to Finn and put one arm around his neck. Not wanting to miss out, Ellie sat the other side. Cat felt like a bit of a gooseberry and had half a mind to fetch her book but she decided to watch with them for a moment or two. A while later she found herself joining in with Daisy and Ellie’s enthusiastic rendition of ‘Let It Go’, and by the end of the film she was wiping a surreptitious tear from her cheek.
‘Something in your eye?’ teased Finn.
‘That’s right,’ she replied with a smile.
As the credits rolled, Cat glanced out of the window. The pelting rain had slowed to a thin drizzle. Cat turned to Finn. ‘What do you fancy for dinner?’
He shrugged. ‘Not sure. Why?’
‘I thought I might cook.’
‘That would be cool. What’s your signature dish?’
Cat looked unsure. ‘Erm, ordering someone else’s signature dish? But I thought, you know, dive in and give it a go.’
‘Sounds good.’ He smiled.
‘What sounds good?’ asked Ellie nosily.
‘I’m going to cook dinner for us all,’ replied Cat.
‘Ooh can I help? I love cooking.’
‘Me too,’ cried Daisy with great enthusiasm. ‘Especially jelly. I’m really good at jelly.’
Cat hesitated. This hadn’t been part of the plan. It was going to be stressful enough as it was without ‘helpful assistants’. She glanced over at Finn, who shrugged. ‘I think you should go for it. I’m happy to risk whatever you put in front of us.’
Cat realised she had no choice. ‘Okay then. Girls, get your coats on. We’re going shopping!’
‘Oh yay!’ they chorused.
Cat’s initial mistake was to allow the girls to choose what they would eat. Daisy was adamant that sausages dipped in Marmite would be delicious, whereas Cat was pretty sure that this was the devil’s own food. She managed to persuade Daisy that the sausages would be happiest served au naturel and they opted for a classic supper of bangers, mash and carrots. There was something very pleasing about visiting the butcher and then the greengrocer; Cat felt an unusual sense of satisfaction as they trooped from one shop to the next. The shopkeepers were polite and particularly friendly with the girls. Cat gave them the money so that they could pay for the groceries themselves. She noticed how Daisy and Ellie grinned at one another with brimming pride as they carried their goods out of the shop and proudly held them up for Cat’s inspection.
