Chapter 47. Hot Pants.
Nathan was the first to wake the next morning. He lay there for a moment, not quite knowing where he was, but he caught sight of Penelope lying beside him, and remembered all at once. Her hair had fallen across her face, so that only her nose could be seen, peeping between the strands. He propped himself up on one elbow and drank in the vision, his heart full. He had a glimpse of what it might be like to be able to reach out and gently brush the hair from her face - but it came as an abstract idea, unrealised by any of his senses. Softly he rose, stepped carefully over her, and opened the doors. He had to shield his eyes. The dazzling early morning light flooded the garden. A few birds were hopping across the lawn, and a squirrel ran along the fence. He looked back. Penelope was still asleep. He pulled both doors to, as quietly as he could, and made his way to the house. Penelope’s mum was in the kitchen. He could smell cakes baking.
“Good morning, Nathan,” she smiled, “you’re up and about early. That’s such a pretty outfit!”
“Hi. I’m just going to the toilet.”
“You know where it is. Come and have some breakfast after. Pen’s still asleep, I guess? She loves to sleep in, that one.”
“Thank you. What are you baking?”
“Just little fairy cakes – for the party.”
“They smell great.”
He made his way to the toilet. He didn’t fancy being changed today. He was struggling to be more grown up. He didn’t want always to be a baby for Penelope.
When he returned, Mrs Lissington had put the cakes on a rack to cool, all except one, which she had iced and put on a plate.
“You get the first one, dear.”
“Thanks!” The icing was melting, dripping down one side. So he bit the whole top off in one big mouthful. Delicious!
“You look hungry. What would you like for breakfast?”
In the kitchen there was the biggest variety of cereal he had ever seen, so he took the largest bowl he could find, prepared an eclectic selection, and drowned it in cold milk. As he was eating, there was a ring at the bell.
“Oh, that’ll be Autumn,” said Cynthia.
“Autumn?”
“Yes,” she said, going to answer the door. “She's going to help Penelope get ready for the party.”
Nathan had been hoping to have Penelope to himself that day. But now it looked like he’d have to share her with Autumn. “Girls!” he sighed – and didn’t realise the absurdity of that remark until Catherine walked into the kitchen, exclaiming, “Oh my goodness! Whose this pretty little baby girl, then?”
Nathan blushed a little, but carried on eating his cereal.
“Hi Nathan!”
“Hi, Autumn. What’s in the bag?”
“My party dress. Wait till you see it!”
“Oh. You’re staying over, then?”
“Course. Me an’ Pen do everything together.”
That made him feel really fed up. That meant she’d be in the stable with them tonight.
“I love your outfit, Nathan,” she cooed, tugging at the skirt. You look so sweet!”
“He does,” said Catherine. “Oh, here’s Pen now.”
Penelope had finally woken up, and appeared at the garden door in a slightly dazed and dishevelled state.
“Hi guys…” she said, sleepily. “Hi Autumn. Thanks for coming early.”
“We were just admiring Nathan’s little dress,” said her mother.
“Actually, that was yesterday’s outfit,” laughed Penelope. “He has something even nicer for today! But I’ll need to use some of that lovely pink ribbon, if that’s okay?”
“Help yourself, dear. It’s in the workbox.”
“Thanks, mum. But first I need food!”
Autumn and Penelope breakfasted together, chatting away excitedly the whole time. At one point, Penelope whispered something to Autumn that made her choke with laughter, and cough a mouthful of cereal onto the table.
“Girls! Please!” said Mrs Lissington, “Remember your table manners!”
“Sorry, mum.”
“Sorry, auntie Cynthia.”
After they’d finished, Penelope went for a shower. Autumn went into the big room and started blowing up balloons.
“Nathan? Come and help me.”
“Okay. But there’s all day to do that. What’s the hurry?”
“Oh…you know…it’s nice to have everything ready, isn’t it?”
Penelope returned.
“Nathan? Go have a shower, then you can put on your new outfit. Get dressed and come back to the house. Oh, and a pink pull-up please. Wait till you see this, Autumn.”
Nathan complied, but he was sulking. It was supposed to be between the two of us, he thought. Never mind. At least I’ll get to play with Autumn too. Hope she doesn’t take the piss cos I’m in pink. He showered and made his way back to the stable. He selected a pull-up, wriggled his way in, and pulled on the pink plastic pants. Then the little shirt. Then the baby hot pants,. And finally the bootees. He thought he looked okay. He could have a look in the mirror back in the house.
He pushed open the kitchen door uncertainly. The four of them turned towards him at once. Their faces registered appreciative surprise.
“Oh, that’s really nice,” said Catherine. “What do you think, Autumn?”
“Yeah,” she said, putting her head on one side, “It’s a sweet little outfit. Actually, Nathan, I think it suits you better than the blue one.”
”Do you?”.
“Yes, I agree,” said Penelope, “this is much more vibrant. Mummy?”
“Oh, it’s perfect! The epitome of babywear fashion, I would say. Go look in the hallway mirror, Nathan.”
He skipped down the hallway to where there was a full-length mirror. He regarded himself with satisfaction, swivelling around to check out the back view. He’d certainly made a splash! He returned swelling with pride.
“Yeah, it’s really cool. Can I wear it all day, Pen?”
“Of course, if you want to. We just have to add the finishing touches, though. I’ll get the ribbon.”
She came back with a reel of broad, bright pink satin ribbon. Her mother cut off several lengths with the scissors. “Come here, darling and we’ll sort you out.”
Nathan stood in the middle of the room while she tied ribbons around his right wrist and his left ankle. She knotted them tightly so they wouldn’t come off, and then expertly tied a big bow on each.. Then she took another length of ribbon and looped it around the wrist band, slipping on a pink pacifier before knotting it. Finally, she combed out a tuft of his hair on the left side of his head, secured it with an elastic bunch, and tied that up too, again with a big bow. She stood back to admire her handiwork.
“There. What do you think, girls?”
“He looked amazing,” exclaimed Autumn.
“Why don’t we go outside and take a few photos?” suggested Catherine.
The photo session lasted about twenty minutes. Nathan loved being the centre of attention. He posed and preened and twirled and generally showed off until he ran out of ideas.
“He looks so smart,” said Penelope. “Why can’t we put our best dresses on too?”
“Well I thought you wanted to keep them for the party, dear, but I don’t mind, do you Catherine?”
“No, of course not. As long as they keep them clean. They don’t get to dress up very much, do they? Not like this lucky little boy here!”
“Go on then, girls. I can finish hanging the balloons.”
And the two girls disappeared inside with whoops of delight.
When they returned, Penelope was wearing a blue satin Alice in Wonderland dress with big pockets, and white cotton trimming around the neck, sleeves and hem, accompanied by white tights and shoes. Autumn looked very glamorous in a purple crêpe off-the-shoulder dress with an A-line skirt and matching patent leather shoes.
“Wow,” said Nathan, quite taken aback, you two look great!” Though he was mainly staring at Penelope.
“What can we play?” said Autumn.
“Well I think we’d better stay on the lawn,” said Penelope. “We daren’t spoil our outfits. Mum? Can we have a groundsheet to sit on?”
So they sat playing for more than an hour. They played some board games, and Penelope brought out some of her dolls, but even they were only allowed to play quietly.
“Shh, Jane,” said Autumn to the naughtiest doll, “you must behave yourself in front of the baby, or she will copy you!”
Nathan noticed Penelope kept checking the time on her phone, and glancing at the house. The conservatory blinds were down, but it seemed to him he could hear noises from inside.
“Did you hear that,” he asked Penelope at one point, “it sounded like some kids laughing.”
“Oh, my mum has the TV on,” returned Penelope, “she watches the stupidest programmes.”
“Oh.”
“But it is nearly twelve. Shall we play a new game? Now what could we play?”
“How about blind man’s buff?” suggested Autumn. “Nathan, you can have first turn. We’ll blindfold you, then you count to ten while we find positions on the lawn., then you have to try to find us without looking. Yeah?”
“Okay. But we’ll need a blindfold.”
“Oh, I’ve got a piece of black velvet, here in my pocket,” said Penelope. “Come on, Nathan. Stand up and I’ll tie it on.”
He didn’t have much success. And he started to feel disorientated. He heard the conservatory doors slide open, however, which helped him get his bearings.
“Hey, you two! You’re not moving, are you?”
“No silly,” came Penelope’s voice from quite close by. “That was mummy opening the doors, that’s all. Now keep looking. We’re not far away.”
Nathan headed gingerly towards her voice, but he still couldn’t locate her. He stopped and listened. He could hear something. Someone saying “shhh” very quietly. Probably Autumn. It came from nearer the house. He began to move in that direction, a triumphant smile on his face “I’m going to get them now,” he thought….
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Topic: The Innocent (Read 39476 times)
