Annie Lyons - Life Or Something Like It

‘I sink you will be wanting ze brunch menu, Miss Nightingale?’ he asked.

‘That will be wonderful. Thank you.’ He retreated with a small bow and Cat turned to the children. ‘So they have macaroni cheese, burgers or fishcakes. What do you fancy?’

Ellie was looking around in wonder and awe. ‘I feel like a princess,’ she breathed. ‘I like the way that man talks too. Can I have macaroni cheese, please?’

Cat smiled. ‘Of course. Charlie? How about a burger?’

‘I want to go home,’ said Charlie, his face clouding over.

Cat took a deep breath. ‘Come on, let’s have some lunch eh? Ellie is looking forward to it,’ she said with meaning.

Charlie scowled at her but then caught sight of his sister’s hopeful face. ‘I’ll just have chips,’ he said.

‘All right,’ said Cat, deciding that it wasn’t worth a battle. ‘And what would you like to drink?’

‘Can I have a Coke, please?’ asked Ellie.

Charlie gave her a disapproving look and was about to open his mouth when he thought better of it. ‘Coke for me too, please,’ he said giving his aunt a rare smile.

Cat felt encouraged. She would win the children over in one single day and Andrew would have to eat his words. As she placed their order, she spotted Ava being led through the restaurant. She was with a companion whom Cat recognised as Caroline Henderson, a freelance PR consultant Cat had used for the odd campaign. Cat gave them a wave. Caroline looked embarrassed and whispered something to Ava before retreating towards the entrance. Ava made her way over to Cat’s table.

‘Darling,’ she said, kissing the air either side of Cat’s head. ‘How are you?’ She emphasised the question by glancing at the children and giving Cat a look of deep sympathy.

‘I’m fine. Really,’ said Cat with meaning. ‘What happened to Caroline?’

‘She had to pop to the little girl’s room. So!’ said Ava taking a step back.

‘I’m Ellie and this is Charlie,’ announced Ellie.

Ava raised her eyebrows at the little girl. ‘Pleased to meet you, sugar-cheeks. I’m Ava.’

‘There’s a girl in my class called Ava,’ said Ellie with authority.

‘Is that so?’ said Ava, her mouth twitching into a smile.

‘It is so,’ replied Ellie. ‘But she’s mean and I don’t like her. She once poured yoghurt on my skirt.’

‘Well that is mean,’ said Ava. ‘You should do it back to her.’

‘Should I?’ asked Ellie with intense interest. ‘Won’t I get into trouble?’

Ava leaned in to the little girl. ‘Not if no-one sees,’ she whispered.

‘Ava!’ called Caroline from the other side of the room. Cat looked towards her, ready to smile, but Caroline looked away.

Ava saw the hurt on Cat’s face. She put a hand on her friend’s shoulder. ‘Don’t give it a thought, sweetie. Caroline’s a bitch,’ she said. ‘I’ll call you, okay?’ she added before going to join her companion.

‘I like her,’ said Ellie, watching Ava sashay through the restaurant.

Cat took scant consolation from Ava’s kindness. Her comments about Caroline were true but it made Cat feel miserable that someone who would have talked to her the week before her fall from grace barely acknowledged her now. Her status had been downgraded from PR hotshot to child-caring rookie. It was not a post she relished and she felt distracted and ruffled as their food arrived. She picked at her salad and felt a growing sense of irritation as Charlie gave off an air of someone who didn’t want to be there or make any effort to enjoy her incredibly generous treat. He barely touched his triple-cooked chips. They were still there when Ellie’s chocolate fondant pudding arrived. She attacked it with gusto.

‘Eat up, Charlie,’ said Cat.

‘You eat up,’ he replied.

‘That’s a bit rude.’ Cat frowned. How dare he?

Charlie scowled. ‘Erm, I don’t care?’

‘Charlie, don’t,’ said Ellie looking worried.

Charlie stood up. ‘I’m going to the toilet,’ he said.

‘You can’t go on your own,’ said Cat.

‘Why not?’

‘Because you’re a child and – ’

‘Because I might run off again? What do you care?’ cried Charlie angrily. A couple of diners looked round. Cat noticed Caroline glance over and shake her head.

‘Stop it, Charlie, you’re embarrassing me,’ said Cat quietly.

This was the wrong thing to say. Charlie jumped up on his chair. ‘Oh, I’m embarrassing you, am I? Well I’m so sorry that I’m embarrassing Auntie Cat in front of her stupid posh friends.’

‘Get down, Charlie,’ she snapped.

‘Make me,’ said Charlie. He put a foot up on the table. Cat could see Philippe approaching. She closed her eyes for a second. This could not be happening.

‘I feel sick,’ said Ellie.

Cat opened her eyes and the first thing she saw was Ellie’s face, which had turned a peculiar shade of bluey green. The next thing she noticed was Philippe standing between her and Ellie as the small girl turned and vomited all over his pristine maître d’s jacket.

The rest of the afternoon was a blur – a miserable blur. Philippe was kind and understanding as it was his job to be. They were politely ushered to his office so they could clean up.

No, Miss Nightingale must think nothing of it. It happens all the time. I have a spare jacket just for occasions like this. Do not give it a second thought.

But Cat knew. She saw the looks and stares as they trooped out of the restaurant, the disgusted faces and judging glances. She also noticed Ava and Caroline and the way they completely ignored the whole drama. She felt numb as she led the children back to the train station. No-one spoke as they travelled home. She let them into the house and was greeted by Andrew’s cheery face.

‘I managed to finish early so I thought I would come home and see how you all were.’ His smile faded as he spotted their faces. ‘What happened?’

Andrew took immediate charge as the story unfolded. Cat marvelled at how efficiently he herded Ellie into the bath and then tucked her up in bed. He sent Charlie to his room, gave him a severe telling-off, and Cat didn’t see him for the rest of the day. She made herself a cup of tea and went into the living room feeling shaken and drained. When Andrew appeared a while later, he brought in the biscuit tin. He offered it to her.

‘Custard cream for your troubles?’

‘It’s not bloody funny,’ she said.

He gave a small smirk. ‘I know and I am sorry. I know you tried your best.’

‘But?’

He sighed. ‘You don’t have to be super-auntie and give them a million treats. Sometimes all they want to do is go to the park and feed the ducks.’

‘I thought they would enjoy it.’

‘They did. Sort of.’ She frowned at him and he put his arm around her. ‘Ellie really enjoyed the National Gallery. She said you showed them a Christmas picture and a painting of some dead flowers.’

Cat gave a reluctant laugh. ‘And what about Charlie?’

Andrew shrugged. ‘He is sorry. I think he’s struggling with Mel being away. I will get him to apologise.’

‘Hmm,’ replied Cat.

‘He admitted that he should have told you not to let Ellie have a Coke.’

Cat sighed. ‘I thought he was being too nice to me at that point.’

‘I’m sorry. That was partly my fault. You sort of assume people know this stuff but why would you?’

‘Well when you say it like that,’ said Cat a little hurt.

‘Sorry,’ said Andrew. ‘I don’t mean to preach. You’re doing me a huge favour and I really appreciate it. It’s just that kids aren’t really bothered about grand gestures. The best thing you can give a child is your time.’