Рейчел Уэллс - Alfie And George

Walking back from our planning meeting, we’d popped in to Matt and Polly’s. Polly had taken an afternoon off because Martha had to go to the doctor, and Polly wanted to be with her. I thought that was a good sign, but I quickly realised things weren’t good. George had run off to play with Henry and Martha in the living room, while I listened to Polly and Matt arguing in the kitchen.

‘Well, yes, I agree we should be celebrating you having got a new job, but you seem to have forgotten that I’m working now and we have two children.’

‘I haven’t forgotten, but I don’t know what you want. Do you want to keep working?’

‘Yes, I do. I was dubious at first but I did the interior design course so that I could go back to work at some point and now I love my job. I’ve cut my hours lately, now I know what I’m doing a bit better, and I feel I’ve got the balance right. And now that it’s all sorted, you want me to give it up!’ Polly wasn’t shouting but I could tell she was angry.

‘I didn’t say that, but what are we going to do about the kids? I mean, yes, Henry’s at school, but the days aren’t long enough and Martha is only at pre-school three days a week.’ Matt sounded frazzled.

‘It’s not like either of our jobs are permanent. I know I’m on a rolling contract but yours is six months and then we might be back to square one,’ Polly ranted.

‘Thanks for the optimism.’

‘Oh God, I can’t talk to you when you’re like this, I’m going to see my children,’ said Polly, storming out of the room.

I went to get George and told him it was time to go home. Before we left, I made a fuss of Henry and Martha. I worried for those two lovely children.

Claire was sitting at the kitchen table, crying, when we got home. I looked at George, who seemed very sad. This day was not going well. I was wondering where Summer was just as Jonathan walked into the kitchen.

‘Claire, please don’t cry,’ Jonathan said, sitting down next to her.

‘I asked Tash to give Sum tea so we could talk, yet we’re not talking.’

‘I don’t know what to say, Claire.’

‘I want this child,’ she said.

‘There is no child, not yet.’

‘You know what I mean.’ Claire had tears streaming down her face and I felt so sad for her.

‘I do, but I don’t know what you want from me.’

‘Yes, Jonathan, you know exactly what I want from you.’ So much was unsaid between them, but they both knew what they meant.

‘Look, I’m going to the gym and then I said I’d pop in to see Tomasz at the restaurant.’

‘Right, that’s more important than this?’ Claire snapped.

‘No, but I made plans and I’m sticking to them. Tomasz is really struggling without his family. Besides, we’re not getting anywhere right now.’

‘Oh, just go then,’ Claire screamed at him. I had never heard her so angry.

By the time Tash brought Summer home, Claire had stopped crying, and she also had a glass of wine in her hand.

‘Can I tempt you?’ she asked Tash. Her eyes were red and Tash hurriedly took Summer and Elijah into the living room with some of Summer’s toys.

‘OK, just a quick one. My boy’s tired tonight.’

‘Nursery wears them out. Oh, Tash, sorry. I’ve had another row with Jonathan.’

‘I thought so. Come on, sit down.’ They both sat down and as George again went to play with the children, I stayed with the adults.

‘I’m not going to bore you with the details, it’s nothing new anyway. Distract me, tell me about your budding romance.’

‘Ah, well you might regret asking that. I’ve asked Max for some space. He wasn’t being anything but charming and wonderful, but I freaked out when we were last out.’

‘Why, Tash?’

‘I’m falling for him, Claire, and I got scared. I’m not sure I can cope with being hurt again.’

‘Oh, Tash, look at us both. Two great men and we’re pushing them away.’ Claire’s eyes filled with tears again.

‘I know, that’s exactly what we seem to be doing,’ Tasha said sadly.

It seemed that tomorrow couldn’t come quickly enough, and we only had one chance to get it right. There was so very much resting on our plan. I hoped and prayed with all my heart that we got it right.

I was yet again facing a sleepless night. I was so worried about tomorrow. George slept soundly at least, which was good. Despite the lack of danger involved in this plan, I was still worried that George would be spending his first night away from me, and although he’d be with Tiger — she had promised to sleep in the shed overnight with him — I wouldn’t feel comfortable without him. I knew that I would feel as if something was missing, being apart from him. But at least I would be busy. I would have to rally all my families to look for George and make sure they bonded over it. I did have quite a big part to play in the plan — the biggest, in fact. All George and Tiger had to do was lay low, I actually had to mobilise the humans and somehow ensure that they actually came together over this, rather than falling apart. I had to admit that I was a ball of nerves: from the tips of my claws to the ends of my whiskers, I felt like jelly.

Oh, life was so hard and so complicated. It was a lot to cope with. Not just for me either. As I watched my kitten sleeping, I hoped that I could protect him from the worst that life had to offer, but failing that, I hoped that I could at least equip him to deal with it. Being a parent was just so fretful, and I didn’t think that I would ever stop fretting about George.

I must have drifted off, because I woke with George tickling my nose with his whiskers.

‘Dad, it’s the day!’ he squealed.

‘Shush,’ I said. ‘Let’s not draw too much attention to ourselves. We need to go before the others wake up.’

George was an early riser, waking at dawn most days, so our plan was that we would leave the house, I’d deliver him to Tiger and then come back to bed. I’d pretend to be asleep and when everyone else woke up they would find me alone in the bed. I could make lots of noise to show them I was worried and then our search would begin. Part one of the plan was simple.

I made George drink some water before we left. There was no food as Claire still didn’t leave food down for us overnight, but hopefully Tiger would get him into her house for breakfast. We then left, as quietly as we could. I walked George to Tiger’s house and we stood by her back door. I pushed the cat flap to let Tiger know we were there.

‘Good luck, my little boy,’ I said, feeling affectionate, emotional and a little bit terrified all at once.

‘Thanks, Dad, and don’t leave me too long.’

I nuzzled up to him.‘I won’t, but you know Tiger will be there for you. There’s nothing to worry about. But, George, listen, it’s important that you do what you’re told. Do you understand?’

‘Yes.’ He looked serious. I hoped Tiger had woken up. She had said she would get up when the birds started singing. After a short while, she appeared.

‘Here we are,’ I said, shaking.

‘It’s OK, Alfie, it’ll be fine, and I’ll take it from here. Right, George, wait there, I have to go and make sure the coast is clear — my family are early risers — and then I’ll come back and sneak you in for breakfast. I’ll be really quick,’ Tiger said.

‘Do you understand, George?’ I asked. He looked a bit like he hadn’t been listening as he stared at the emerging sun and then a bird flying overhead. Tiger disappeared round the back of her house.