Week 50: Sentry Duty


 

00.00-02.00 (Dad’s diary)

I sit in the computer chair, keeping watch over the brave little soldier. I listen to Richard E Grant’s memoir, A Pocketful of Happiness. My eyes doze in intervals forcing me to rewind what I’ve missed and start again. Over the two hours I manage half an hour of the book.

02.00-03.30 (Mum’s diary)

I browse on the internet looking to see what birthday presents we can buy Jude. I’m sure Ryan would have been doing the same; he’s very thoughtful like that – I can compare notes with him in the morning. I put Jude to bed, knowing that Ryan will be up in half an hour to check on him. Jude hasn’t been sick for eight hours now, so I’m hoping he’s in the clear.

05.15 (Dad’s diary)

I jump out of bed and make a mad dash downstairs.  I was meant to be awake at 0400 hours. If his room smells of the Trainspotting toilet, then I’m in trouble. He is sleeping soundly. I won’t get into any bother. I sneak back into bed, hoping that Harriet hasn’t heard me.

05 30 (Mum’s diary)

My alarm goes off. I roll over and find Ryan fast asleep. Jude must be ok. If he wasn’t, then Ryan would look like he’s only just gone to bed. Everything on the monitor seems fine. Descending the stairs, I keep a nose out for the smell, but nothing can be detected. Either Ryan has removed the odour or there is nothing to worry about. I look in and find Jude fast asleep. Only drool – no vomit-next to him.

06 30 (Dad’s diary)

I wake up and check in on Jude before preparing the breakfasts. He seems perfectly fine. Nothing to see here.

06 30 (Mum’s diary)

I wake up and go down to get Jude for his milk. He seems perfectly fine: a far cry from yesterday.

07 30 (Dad’s diary)

Jude has his breakfast and throws up immediately.

07 31 (Mum’s diary)

I get the mop.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Week 0: Hey Jude

Image
 Day 1 We didn’t mind our last baby was two weeks late. My dad, Harriet’s father-in-law, had just passed and we needed time to process sadness before we could register joy. However, we really didn’t want this baby to be late. If our little boy was born early in the summer, it would give us the opportunity to be a family whilst the school holidays were still in full swing. Also, last time round was a complex situation; in any other context, you don’t want to be waiting weeks and weeks for a child to be born. Harriet’s baby shower had friends guess the name, due date and weight. Unsurprisingly, the latest someone put down was August 17 th , the due date. ( Note: If you are at a baby shower, always put down a date before the due date or- if you’re particularly close to the mum-to-be - the due date itself. Never put down a time that exceeds the expected time of arrival, the mum-to-be will kill you and the police won’t charge, accepting there were mitigating circumstances.) I wa...
Read more

Week 1: Official Opening

Image
  Firstly, I would like to thank you all for being here today on this happy occasion. Just over two years ago we founded our first business, Theivamanoharan & Son. Despite the teething problems, growing pains and sleepless nights that come with any start-up, we found the venture wholly enjoyable. Therefore, in December of last year, we decided to expand the business. To extend our company profile by adding additional stock to our property portfolio. It is our goal, our ambition, to have the name Theivamanoharan as recognisable as Adidas, Marks and Spencer and Disney . For this to happen, we must develop our brand, spread the word, so one day Theivamanoharan will become a household name – like Dettol. This new asset you see before you was nine months in the making. The initial idea was conceived in the upstairs bedroom of a Dunstable townhouse, from there it went to the genetic designers that laid out the blueprint, the DNA, for what you see before you today. We’re thrilled to...
Read more

Week 52: The Party

Image
  A corps of caterers comprising of Harriet, her mother and mother-in law made their way to the beach hut. On buffet tables, ambrosian cup cakes crowded against homemade sausage rolls to create a sweet-savory symphony for the tastebuds. In the hut a bar was set up and stocked with exorbitant pop, sparkling elderflower being just one refreshment. Jostling alongside were bottles of Sainsbury’s finest Taste The Difference Prosecco. By eleven o’clock the guests had arrived. Guests that have come from the four corners of the globe. Guests from Watford, guests from Hemel Hempstead, guests from Hitchin, guests from Swanage. All beautified in their best beachwear to drink, to be merry. A grey cloud threatens the sky, but the party will not be cowed. The sky is unquestionably dulled by nature’s pall but the scene below remains colourful. The conversation flows like The Thames, snaking from person to person, interconnecting each and every one. Laughter peals out of diaphragms, creating...
Read more