Daddy’s Little Princess and Will You Love Me 2-in-1 Collection. Cathy Glass

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      ‘I miss my daddy too,’ Beth said. ‘Can I speak to their daddy?’

      I hesitated. This was a small chance for Adrian and Paula to speak to their father, yet I didn’t want to say no. ‘When they’ve finished you can say a quick hello,’ I said, ‘but not for too long. You don’t want to be late phoning your daddy, do you?’

      ‘No,’ Beth agreed. I awarded myself full marks for tact and diplomacy.

      We could hear Adrian’s voice floating through from the living room as Beth helped me clear the dishes. Adrian was answering his father’s questions about school and then football club. Then, a little while later, I heard Paula’s voice: ‘Hello, Daddy. I’ve been playing at Kay’s house today, with Vicky.’ She began telling him her news. Then I could hear the two of them chatting, presumably holding the telephone between them, and then Adrian called: ‘Mum! Dad wants to speak to you. He has to go soon.’

      Beth came with me into the living room and Adrian handed me the phone. ‘Hi, love,’ I said to John. ‘Beth would like to say a quick hello, if you have the time?’

      ‘Sure. Put her on.’

      I passed the telephone to Beth and, smiling, she said, ‘Hi, I’m going to speak to my daddy soon. It’s been nice talking to you. Goodbye.’ Satisfied, she returned the telephone to me.

      ‘How’s work?’ I now asked John. ‘Still very busy?’

      ‘Absolutely. But managing to keep on top of it.’

      ‘Good. I’m so pleased you found the time to phone and speak to the children. I wanted to discuss something with you, but if you’re in a hurry it can wait.’

      ‘Is it urgent?’ John asked. ‘I haven’t eaten yet.’

      ‘No. You go for your dinner. It can wait until the weekend.’

      There was a short pause before John said, ‘I’m afraid I won’t be able to make it home this weekend. Sorry, but it’s unavoidable.’

      ‘Oh,’ I said, taken aback and very disappointed. John always came home at the weekends unless he was working abroad, which wasn’t often. ‘Oh, I see. Why?’ I asked. The children were watching me, aware something was wrong.

      ‘Inundated with work, I’m afraid,’ John said.

      ‘And you can’t bring the work home with you?’ I suggested. Which he had done before.

      ‘No, not this time, I’m afraid. I’m needed on site.’

      ‘I see,’ I said again. ‘Will you be able to phone over the weekend? We’ll all miss you.’

      ‘I’ll try,’ John said. I heard a noise in the background, as though someone might be in the room, then John said, ‘I have to go. They’re waiting for me to go to dinner. It’s another working meal, I’m afraid.’

      ‘Oh dear, I am sorry,’ I sympathized. ‘I hope it doesn’t run on too late. Do try and find some time to relax over the weekend or you’ll be exhausted.’

      John gave a small snort of laughter. ‘Say goodbye to the kids for me. Bye, Cathy.’

      ‘Bye. Love you.’

      ‘And you.’

      The line went dead and I replaced the receiver. The children were still looking at me and I tried to hide my disappointment.

      ‘Dad’s not coming home, is he?’ Adrian said a little crossly.

      ‘No. I’m afraid he can’t make it this weekend. He has to work,’ I said.

      ‘He’s always working,’ Adrian said, cross and sad. ‘Doesn’t he want to come home and see us?’

      ‘Of course he does, Adrian. You know that. Your dad has a lot of responsibility and sometimes he has to work away. Of course he comes home whenever he can.’

      ‘I’m seeing my daddy on Friday,’ Beth put in, which didn’t help at all.

      ‘I’m going to my room!’ Adrian said. Jumping up from the sofa, he fled the room and ran upstairs, close to tears.

      ‘Beth, I’d like you to stay here and look after Paula for a moment, please,’ I said. ‘I won’t be long.’

      Beth took Paula’s hand. Their expressions were serious.

      ‘Play a game or something,’ I called as I left the living room.

      Upstairs, Adrian’s bedroom door was shut so I gave a brief knock and went in. Adrian was sitting on the floor, cross-legged and staring down. I went over, sat beside him and took his hand in mine.

      ‘Adrian, love,’ I began gently. ‘I know how much you miss your dad. I miss him too, so does Paula. Your daddy loves you very much and I know he would come home if it was at all possible.’

      ‘Why does he have to work away?’ Adrian asked sadly, glancing up at me. ‘Why can’t he come home at night like he used to? Like other fathers do.’

      ‘Do you remember I explained he was given a promotion at work?’ I asked gently. ‘He was pleased, because it showed he was doing a good job. It means he earns more money to look after us, but it also means he has to work away sometimes.’

      ‘I’d rather he came home more and had less money,’ Adrian said.

      My heart went out to him. So would I, I thought, but I didn’t say so. John was very career orientated and I had to respect that. He believed he’d made the right decision in accepting the promotion, and I supported him in it and would never undermine his decision by voicing my concerns.

      ‘Dad shouldn’t have to work away for too much longer,’ I added.

      ‘How long?’ Adrian asked.

      ‘If all goes well, he thought about six months,’ I said. ‘Which will mean he’ll be home for the summer. You’ll be able to play cricket and football with him in the evenings and at weekends like you used to.’

      Adrian cheered up a little at this thought and managed a small nod.

      ‘OK, love?’ I asked.

      ‘I guess.’

      ‘Now, I can’t really leave Paula any longer, and Beth needs to telephone her father, so can we continue our chat a little later?’

      ‘Yes,’ he said.

      ‘Thank you. And believe me, I do know how much you miss your dad, but it shouldn’t be for much longer.’

      Adrian smiled and I kissed his forehead. ‘You’re not too old for hugs and kisses from your mum, are you?’ I said.

      Adrian laughed, aware of what was to come. He covered his head with his hands as I took him in my arms and began kissing him all over his face, head and neck, as I used to when he was little. He laughed and giggled and made ‘ugh’ СКАЧАТЬ