beckity

At 6.30am we get up before the kids, get ourselves washed and dressed and lunches packed before coaxing three sleepy heads out of their beds. Marek takes Louise and I get on my bike and try to keep up with the two big ones, down the road, over the boulevard and parked up in front of the school. Kisses, bags and off they go. I notice I don't have my keycard so cycle home before heading off to work. I go to a short meeting, chair the Monday morning staff meeting, sort through my emails, drink a couple of coffees and catch up with colleagues, settle down to a chunk of work and suddenly it's lunchtime. Back on the bike, I go home, make a quick sandwich and settle down in front of my computer to finish some work bits before picking up Elsie and Molly in time for Elsie's music lesson, with a quick trip to the shop for some essentials. The bike trip to school and home is quick. The girls unpack bags, Elsie grabs her ballet bag and music folder and we get back on the bikes ...

Molly has always been impulsive. Loud, attention-seeking and even violent behaviour has often covered up her kind and loving core. We try to make space for her, but squashed in the middle, we often see her frustrated and angry. It’s difficult to be a six year old, particularly with a slightly older sister who is very good at everything and a toddling little sister who eats up a lot of attention. It was the day after our big party: a party at which Molly had been in her element. Lots of children to play with, and lots of Aunties to jump on and Uncles to run away from shrieking. She’d loved every moment and there were comments about how like Piotrus she was. Ah yes, Piotrus. We had promised the girls a swim in the hotel pool before we left. We had our wedding at that hotel, and the big girls’ christenings and yet we’d never made it to the pool. Elsie discovered at 8.35am t hat it would only be open until 9am, so she and Molly went ahead with Granny and Gra Gra. I...

Molly flashed past, grinning and reaching out a hand to tickle her baby sister on my lap, who laughed appreciatively. I grabbed Molly before she got too far away, pulling her close and kissing her head. Molly stopped then, leaning into me, and putting her hand out again for Louise. 'Mummies' she said quietly, looking at her baby sister intently, as if she was going to impart some of her deepest wisdom, 'are for kisses.' Louise smiled and waited, looking at Molly to finish off what she was going to say. 'And daddies are for cuddles!' she finished, tickling Lou's tummy again and rushing off, before she could be cuddled or kissed any more.