It’s now the holidays, but despite that fact, another sleepover seems elusive. It seems that in between family holidays, family get togethers and bad timings, another sleep over does not happen in the first week, or even the second week. You catch up with both Bow Kid and Moustache Girl during the day several times, but no sleepovers.
It’s late in the day and you were a bit tired from following mum around as she did groceries and then some other shopping, when you perk up from the loungeroom floor to listen in.
“On no,” you heard your mum say into her phone. “Sure, that won’t be a problem — uh huh — yeah. Okay, I will see you soon.” Mum hangs up.
You keep working on the hat you’re making. It’s a witch’s hat; tall with a buckle on it (why do they have a buckle though?). You were glad you had learnt, because sewing was a great skill for putting together costumes for all of your adventures.
Perhaps ten minutes later, you hear a knock at the door and mum walks by to answer it. You don’t pay that fact too much mind when you distantly recognise a voice. Jumping to your feet, you carefully listen for a moment before breaking into a run to the front door, an enthusiastic smile on your face.
At the door, holding hands with her mum, is Bow Kid. Your mum and hers are talking, Bow Kid looking up between them. You come to a stop at the doorway as she notices you and immediately brightens. You pull her into a hug.
“How come you’re here?” you ask her.
Separating, she frowns slightly.
“Auntie is in the hospital,” she replies sadly. “Mummy’s got to go and help out. She’s got to fly there.”
“Oh,” you reply, not sure what to say. It wasn’t something you have ever thought about, or wanted too, really.
“Don’t worry, it’s not really bad,” Bow Kid’s mum says, spotting your worry. “I’ve just got to pick my sister up from the hospital and help her for a few days until her partner is able to get back from overseas.”
Well, that doesn’t sound too bad. Maybe it was like a broken bone?
Bow Kid’s mum pulls out her phone and checks the time. She makes an unhappy sound.
“Sorry, I’ve got to get going or I’ll miss my flight.” She crouches down to your level and hugs her daughter. “Now, be good, okay?”
“I will!” Bow Kid replies.
Her mum smiles before planting a big kiss on her cheek.
“Bye,” you say as she quickly walks to her car.
“Bye, mummy,” Bow Kid adds.
Bow Kid’s mum opens her door and is about to hop in her car when she freezes and then quickly goes around to the other side, opening the back passenger door.
“You’ll need this too,” she says, doing something.
You’re not sure what until her mum pulls out Bow Kid’s car seat.
“You know what they say,” she says, jogging over with it, “the seat goes with the child.”
Your mum meets Bow Kid’s mum halfway, taking the car seat from her.
“Yes, we don’t want to forget that,” your mum says mirthfully.
“Thanks a lot again for doing this,” Bow Kid’s mum says over her shoulder as she gets into the driver’s seat for real this time.
You and Bow Kid wave as she drives away.
“You had anything to eat, sweetie?” your mum asks Bow Kid.
“Some,” she replies unsurely.
Mum gives Bow Kid kind but questioning look.
“So what have you had?”
“Um,” she replies. “Some toast… at breakfast. Mum was… busy today.”