The Deal

On seeing the state I was in this morning Angus called the nursery to see if we could get Squidge in last minute. They had a place.

But when we told her that I was ill and she needed to go, she fell apart. She climbed into bed next to me and hugged me and said "Don't worry Mummy I'll look after you. I don't want to go to nursery. I want to stay here at home with you." In sentences, just like that! She sounded so much older than her years. She tipped her head to one side and said "We could buy a magazine and go to the cafe yeah?" Angus and I both smiled as we knew what I had to do.

However rotten I felt I just couldn't let her down. And she was beaming when I called the nursery back myself and asked if we could switch it to half a day. I was actually able to tell her what I had done and said "OK we'll have the morning together but this afternoon you go and play at nursery, deal?" "Deal" she said! God she is incredible. So bright and emotionally intelligent to boot (biased Mum moment).

And do you know what, she was such an angel for me. She kept asking if I was OK and touching her throat asking if mine hurt. She was constantly giving me cuddles and hugs and during our lunch (in the cafe, with her magazine), I just felt compelled to say "I love you" and without looking up chewing on her food she said "I love you too Mummy".

What a ray of sunshine. The best medicine ever. I feel truly blessed to have her in my life today. One of those heart-bursting moments.

Dropped her off at nursery no bother (she knew the deal) and climbed into bed and have been here ever since this afternoon. Now if I could just stop clients calling and emailing me, I might actually stand a chance of recovering.....