Only Twelve Days

Day One-1

Day OneThe next morning Sally rose early. After a leisurely shower, she applied her make up carefully before checking out her wardrobe. She wanted to look her best when Bill brought Joey to the nursery.

Pulling out a few dresses, she realised they weren't at all suitable for spending the day with twelve youngsters. They would be expecting her to play with crayons, paints and goodness knows what else. In the end she decided on a pretty blue blouse and jeans. Though the outfit was much more suitable for a nursery, it wasn't exactly glamorous.

She took a final look in the mirror and realised she wearing far too much make-up. Removing some of it, she glanced at her reflection again and frowned. Jeans, flat shoes, hair tied up in a pony-tail and virtually no make-up, Bill would think she was a real frump.

Bill hadn't slept very well at all. He had spent most of the night tossing and turning, recalling his meeting with Sally. She was very attractive. He reminded himself of how her long hair had framed her face, as it fell gently to her shoulders and how her large brown eyes sparkled when she smiled. Even when her hair had been tied back as it was when he first arrived at the nursery, she had looked good. He also thought it rather strange that he had felt so comfortable when talking to her. His shyness usually left him feeling embarrassed and lost for words in the presence of young ladies.

Yes, he quite liked Sally… Well, he liked her a great deal if he was honest. But had she really liked him or had she simply agreed to go for a meal with them last night because she felt sorry for them both?

Plumping up the pillow, he hoped that wasn't the case and tried to push the idea from his mind. Nevertheless, he couldn't help wondering whether it was really possible for an attractive young woman like Sally to be interested in someone like him – a widower with a four-year-old son. After all, she only looked about twenty, twenty-one at most.

It wasn't as though he considered himself old – or at least he hadn't until now. He was only twenty-eight for goodness sake. But since his wife Julie had died, he had totally lost touch with young women. He grimaced. It was not as though he had ever been in touch with young women. He had always been too shy. Over the years he had come to feel more comfortable with the Mrs Millers of the world.

After spending most of the night wondering what to do, he had come to the conclusion he must put Sally out of his mind. Mrs Miller would be back at the nursery very soon and once that happened, he probably wouldn't see Sally ever again. Come to think of it, he was taking Joey to his parents' home later this afternoon. He had almost forgotten about that since meeting Sally Hughes.

Joey was spending a week with his grandparents, so he wouldn't be back at the nursery until next Friday. Surely he could cope with seeing Sally for that one day. By the time Bill had shaved and dressed, he was convinced Sally was well and truly out of his system.

Joey was carrying his advent calendar when he came downstairs to breakfast. “Look Daddy. There's a little star behind this door. Now there're only eleven days left until Christmas.”

Not wanting to be late this morning, Sally was at the nursery by eight-fifteen. She had only just finished getting all the books and games from the cupboard, when she heard Bill and Joey walking down the corridor. Her heart missed a beat when she heard his voice drifting towards the nursery door. He was telling Joey how he must be a good boy and not do anything that might annoy Miss Hughes.

“Good morning Sally. It's nice to see you again.” Immediately forgetting his earlier resolutions, Bill couldn't help noticing she looked even more attractive today. That shade of blue really suited her.

“Good morning to you both,” replied Sally, trying to keep her voice steady. She felt like a schoolgirl instead of a fully-grown woman about to take charge of twelve youngsters. “I'm sure Joey and I will have lots of fun today.” She told Joey to look at the toys in the corner, assuring him she would join him in a few minutes. Turning back to Bill, she asked him if there was anything special Joey liked to do.

“No,” replied Bill. “Nothing special, he enjoys playing all sorts of games. But while I have a few minutes to spare I must tell you I'll be collecting Joey at around three o'clock today. I'm taking him to his grandparents and he'll be with them all next week. They want to see him before they visit my sister in the north. They're spending Christmas with Barbara and her husband, Jack. They have just had a baby and my parents are anxious to see their new grandchild. Joey won't be back until Thursday evening, so you won't have any more late nights.”

His friendly smile made Sally go weak at the knees. “You needn't have worried Bill, I wouldn't have minded at all.” She was saddened that she wouldn't see Bill or Joey for the next week. Jane could even be back in the nursery before Bill brought Joey in next Friday, which could mean she might never see either of them again.

“I must get off now,” said Bill. “I can't be late today. I've an important meeting this morning and I want to take time to stop at the florist on the way. 'Bye Joey! Goodbye Sally, see you at three o'clock.”

The other parents arrived with their children and though Sally went through the motions of greeting them, her mind was still preoccupied with Joey's father. Even now, she was looking forward to seeing him again when he came to collect his son that afternoon.

Why should she be feeling like this? After all, she had only just met Bill the evening before. However, she had to admit she liked everything about him: his smile, his shyness, his thoughtfulness and his charm. Oh, she could go on and on about Bill Roberts.

Mrs Miller telephoned during the morning. “I don't want to be a nuisance,” she said. “I was just wondering if all was well.”

“Yes,” Sally replied. “Everything's fine here. Are you feeling better? It sounds as though your voice is coming back.”

Jane's voice croaked as she laughed. “It's probably because I haven't been using it. I'm usually talking to the children all day. Oh, Sally, I'm finding it very boring here all alone. You know how I like to be doing things.”

It was true. Mrs Miller was a no nonsense type of person and had been busy all her life. Sally knew she wouldn't enjoy sitting around all day. “It won't be long before you're back here Jane. The children will be delighted to see you again.”

“I received some lovely flowers this morning from Mr Roberts. It was very kind of him,” said Jane.

“Yes,” replied Sally, “He said he was going to see the florist. Oh! That reminds me, Joey won't be here for the next week. Mr Roberts is taking him to his parent's home, something about them being away for Christmas this year.”

“Yes, that's right.” Jane recalled. “I'd almost forgotten about it. His sister has recently had a baby girl. The family were hoping she'd be born before Christmas. I believe Mr Roberts isn't taking Joey up there until sometime in the New Year. He thought it best if everyone didn't arrive at the house at once, very sensible. Is there anything else I should know about?”

“No, I don't think so. Just you keep warm and don't come back too early. I'm managing okay; in fact I'm quite enjoying it,” replied Sally.

“I knew you would. Well, 'bye for now Sally, but don't forget you can ring me if you need to – though I may phone you again later today.”

Sally guessed Jane would ring several times during the day. But knowing how much the children meant to her, she didn't mind.

The children really enjoyed themselves that morning. They ran, jumped and skipped. Sally was quite worn out by lunchtime. It amazed her how Jane was able to cope with the children every day, especially at her age.

“I think we'll sit quietly now and have our lunch,” said Sally, looking at the bright pink faces of the children. “And after lunch we'll all have a nice little nap,” she added, hopefully.

By about one o'clock all the children, with the exception of Joey, were fast asleep. They were wrapped in thick warm blankets and lying on a large sheet of foam rubber supplied by Mrs Miller for just this purpose. She always believed that an afternoon nap was very important for young children.

Joey was too excited to sleep. He wanted to tell Sally about his forthcoming visit to his grandparents. “Nanna and Granddad have a dog called Bess and we take her out for walks across the fields all the time. My friend David lives next door to Nanna and he has a rabbit and sometimes I go into his garden to play with it.” He chattered on breathlessly about how he would be going to David's birthday party and that his daddy had bought a present for him to give to his friend.

Sally listened in silence. She was thinking how much he resembled his father. Same dark brown hair, same lovely brown eyes that crinkled when he laughed, the only difference was that Joey's hair was curly while Bill's hair was straight. The curls must come from his mother. Her thoughts were interrupted when she realised Joey had asked her a question.

“Have you got a dog, Miss Hughes?” he repeated.

“No, Joey, not now. I used to have one when I was a little girl though,” she replied. “I called him Sam.”

“Daddy says we can't have a dog, as it would get lonely when he's at work and I'm here with Mrs Miller,” said Joey.

“Yes he would.” Sally agreed. “But you can always go to see Bess at your nanna's house.”

“I'm glad I'm going to see Nanna and Granddad for a little while. We do lots of things when I'm there. Last time we went to see a film about a dog called Lassie,” said Joey, starting to yawn.

“Yes I know you're looking forward to it, sweetheart.” But Sally wished he wasn't going right now. She would have liked the opportunity of getting to know Bill a little better.

“I like you, Miss Hughes, do you like me?” Joey asked, suddenly.

“Of course I do. I like you very much Joey, I really do,” she replied.

Joey thought for a minute then said, “Miss Hughes, do you have a man living at your house like my nanna?”

“No, Joey I'm not married, so I don't have a man living with me,” said Sally, a little surprised by the question. She smiled “You see, your nanna and granddad are married, so they live together.”

“Do you want to get married like my nanna?”

“Yes of course I do,” Sally laughed.

“When will you get married?”

“One day, when I find some nice young man to love me.”

“I'll love you,” said Joey after a moment's thought.

“Thank you Joey, that's very sweet of you. But you're too young at the moment. You'll have to wait until you grow up, then we'll see.”

Joey suddenly went silent and looked rather sad. He was recalling something Sally had said.

“Is there something wrong Joey? Sally asked.

“My daddy doesn't have a lady living with him. Does it mean nobody loves him?” he asked quietly.

Sally was alarmed that something she had said in all innocence had upset the little boy. She put her arms around him. “Oh Joey, you mustn't think that. Of course your daddy has lots of people who love him. You love him don't you and then there's your nanna and granddad and your aunt and uncle, they all love him.”

“Yes,” said Joey, thoughtfully, “I do love my daddy very much.” However, he wasn't sure if that was quite the same thing. Hadn't Miss Hughes just told him he was too young? “Do you love my daddy, Miss Hughes?”

His question rather took her aback. She was certainly very attracted to his father; in fact she could hardly wait to see him again. But love? Could that be love? She felt Joey tugging at her sleeve; he was still waiting for an answer.

“Well,” she said. “I like your daddy very much.” Wishing to change the subject she added. “You're a very inquisitive little boy,” and without giving him time to ask, she added, “And that means you ask a lot of questions. Now, I'm going to telephone my friend, Jo. She'll be wondering where I am. I haven't had time to tell her I'm here at the nursery with you. Would you like to speak to her?”