Chapter 38. Into the Lions’ Den.
On Friday morning they were gathered round the breakfast table in the Dikinson household, though Eleanor was playing her usual role of chief cook and bottle-washer, and Catherine was plaiting Penelope’s blonde hair into two long pigtails, securing them with elastic bunches, and decorating them with green bows. Emilia was not talking as much as usual, but Nathan noticed she had a rather smug expression on her face, and kept exchanging meaningful glances with Catherine.
“What’s up with you today, sis? I suppose you’re smirking because this time mum got me to do the babysitting instead of you. Well, don’t worry, I’m quite happy, with all the dosh I’m gonna make.”
“No, idiot, I’m not smirking, and if I’m happy it’s got nothing to do with you. Don’t flatter yourself.”
“Now, now, you two,” interjected Eleanor, “no arguing please. You won’t be seeing much of each other today, so there’s no point in bickering now.”
“No, cos Nathan has to babysit us today, an’ he has to keep us happy and play all the games we want!” laughed Autumn.
“Yeah,” added Penelope, “you’d better be nice to us, Nathan, or we’ll tell your mum and you won’t get paid!”
Catherine and Eleanor stared at each other.
“Excuse me, miss,” said Catherine, “I don’t know where you got that idea!”
“Em said so.” said Penelope, blushing.
“Emilia,” said her mother, “these kids are cheeky enough, without you encouraging them.”
“Sorry, mum. It was just a joke.”
“Thanks a bunch, sis!” frowned Nathan.
After breakfast Catherine said, “I might as well take the girls round to Rosie’s now, Eleanor. Nathan, you can take over when we leave.”
“When will that be?”
“Oh,. what do you think Eleanor, about eleven?” Eleanor nodded. “Yes, about eleven. Okay, girls, have you got all the things you want to take? Let’s go, then.”
She picked up the hold-all from the hallway and opened the front door. Autumn and Penelope dashed out, and Catherine followed.
“What’s she got in the bag, mum?” asked Nathan casually, “not more toys?”
“No, just a couple of Bowie knives and a cosh, in case you don’t entertain them sufficiently,” said Emilia, deadpan.
“Shut up, Em.”
Round at Rosie’s, Catherine and Dorothy had gathered the girls together in the living-room.
“Now girls, please listen to Autumn’s mummy. She has something very important to say,” said Dorothy.
All three looked at Catherine and assumed expressions of wrapt attention. They were expecting the usual pep-talk about behaviour. But they got something rather different.
“Now girls, I want you to listen very carefully. Today we’re giving you a special mission. A secret mission. Autumn – Rosie – do you remember when you played mummies and babies with Nathan the other day?”
“Yes,” they replied in chorus. “It was fun!” added Rosie.
“Well, Nathan played really nicely that day, didn’t he? And afterwards he seemed to be a much nicer boy. You know he can be a little…difficult at times. But we, the mummies, all think that your little game was a sort of therapy – do you know what I mean by that?” Nods. “A sort of therapy, because it allowed him to be what he really is, a little boy, perhaps even, in some ways, a little baby boy. Do you see?”
“Yes!” exclaimed Autumn. “Yes. He was very happy, wasn’t he, Rosie?” Rosie nodded vigorously. “And he was nice to us, too.”
“He was really nice,” added Rosie, “and he didn’t even swear once!”
“What, he played mummies and babies with you?” asked Penelope, incredulously.
“Yes, Pen. He played being baby, and he did everything babies do!”
“Except get changed,” said Rosie, with a tinge of sadness in her voice.
Penelope laughed, and a wicked grin spread over her face. “I want to see that too,” she said, “can we play that game again?”
“Yes!” cried Rosie, suddenly remembering. “I’ve got loads of baby stuff in my room now, and a big playpen, and a high chair, and everything! We could easily play that game again!”
“Yes, you can, girls,” said Dorothy. “There’s even some things inside the playpen you could use. In fact you can use anything that you can find.”
“Yes, that’s right.” said Catherine, “We’d really like it if Nathan decided to play that game again. We think it would be really good for him, and help improve his general behaviour. In case some of those things are not big enough for him, I’ve brought over his baby outfit and a few other things. He won’t be here till eleven, so you’ll have time to look through them.”
“His baby outfit?” repeated Penelope, wide-eyed with delight.
“Yes, Pen,” said Rosie, “he has real plastic pants, blue ones, and he wears a nappy, and sometimes he wears them to go out! He was outside in the front garden the other day!”
Penelope’s mouth fell open.
“It’s true, Penelope,” nodded Catherine, “a couple of weeks ago he visited Somerville all dressed in his baby stuff. You should have seen him showing off to all the girls.”
“He did? He really did?”
“Oh, yes. He thought he looked really cool. Actually, that’s a good point – it’s possible he still thinks so. He’s under the impression baby clothes for boys is a fashion trend. You and Autumn never laughed at his outfit, did you?” she asked Rosie.
“No,” said Rosie, “we didn’t, even though he was worried about his friends seeing him. In fact, I think he was showing off to us at bit, don’t you, Autumn?”
“Yes, he did seem to want lots of attention. I never really thought about his outfit, except that it was good for pretending to be a baby.”
“Hmm,” mused Catherine, “ of course he wouldn’t want to be seen by his tough friends. But it may be that he still thinks he can impress the girls….”
“He wouldn’t impress me!” laughed Penelope.
“No, I’m sure Pen. But listen. If I’m right, he may want to show off to you. You’re ten now, aren’t you? That’s only two years younger than him, for one thing. You’re not his cousin or his next-door neighbour. You’re someone he only sees occasionally, and you’re pretty, with a rather grown-up air about you. If he does start to flirt, exploit it, okay?”
Penelope laughed. “Maybe he does like me. I hadn’t thought of it till you just said that. I’ve noticed he always tries to speak to me when I’m round, but then gets all shy. Wouldn’t that be funny?”
“Here, let me show you his pants. The whole outfit’s in here.”
She opened the bag, rummaged around, and pulled out Nathan’s blue plastic pants. She passed them to Penelope. Penelope held them up by the waistband.
“I don’t believe it! They’re so cute! Oh, please, please let him wear them for us! That would be so amazingly cool!” And she clapped her hand to her mouth and snorted with laughter.
“Well, fingers crossed,” said Catherine, replacing Nathan’s pants in the hold-all. But listen, girls, this is very important,” she continued, “You all need to be good actors, because Nathan mustn’t know we’ve had this conversation, and mustn’t realise what the plan is. I’m a little dubious about giving you his outfit – I don’t want to alert him - but I’m going to tell him Rosie particularly asked for it. Anyway, as I say, there’s loads of other stuff upstairs, and even baby food in the kitchen, so we’ll leave it to you. I have no idea how things will pan out, but please don’t worry if they don’t. If he is open to the idea, by all means encourage him, but don’t be pushy.”
All the girls nodded vigorously. The idea of being given a secret mission obviously appealed to them.
“Leave it to us, auntie Catherine,” said Penelope.
“I want to see what’s upstairs!” cried Rosie, and dashed out of the room, with Autumn in pursuit.
“Here, Penelope, don’t forget this,” said Catherine, handing her the bag, “Keep an eye on the others, won’t you? I know I can trust you to be discreet. Remember, even if the plan fails, the main thing is to keep Nathan believing in his babywear. That way there will always be another day.”
“I will, auntie Catherine. We’ll do our best.”
“Good girl.”
At eleven Eleanor and Catherine were ready to leave. They walked round to next door with Nathan to collect Dorothy.
“Right, we’re all set,” said Catherine. “Nathan, remember, look after them nicely and keep them happy.”
“I will, aunt.”
“And I have to tell you that Rosie specifically asked if you could play mummies and babies with them again…”
“Oh, no.”
“I’m afraid so. I said I didn’t know, but I sent round your things just in case.”
“My things? My outfit?”
“Yes. I hope you don’t mind. I didn’t want to disappoint her. I know you must have hated having to play that silly game the last time, but you know what these girls are.”
“Yes, I do. Playing with them isn’t my idea of fun, obviously. But don’t worry, I’ll keep them happy even without their silly baby games.”
“Good boy. We’ll see you later then. Remember Emilia’s there if you need her.”
“I won’t.”
“Bye, then. Have a nice day.”
“Bye Nathan.”
“Bye. See you later.”
And Nathan entered the lions’ den.
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Topic: The Innocent (Read 39485 times)
