Day Four

New rule. I sleep in the same bed as the children at night. Apparently that was part of the original agreement, and had nothing to do with the fact GIN got woken up by the crying four year old, and not me. My oven of a room is just for when I have my free-time because I need my privacy. Ahem, sorry, free time?! I don’t mind just having after bedtime at my liberty (for which I am banished up stairs and am definitely not welcome downstairs!) but don’t dangle the idea of ‘free-time’ in front of me.

Four o'clock was the time we left the club today. Best timing yet. Turns out Holly Willoughby (yeah, I know who that is!) swims in the same pool, and I played with her son today. Nearly made friends! With her four and a half year old son that is, not the breakfast morning babe.

We went straight from the pool to Piccadilly Circus – the real world – for xbox games. Turns out the HMV in Trocadero has been closed for about a year. So, I use my initiative (which most of my employees ignore I have) and asked a leafleter if he could help out. I relayed the information back to GIN and she tells me I am wrong. Fine. I suggest Covent Garden. Wrong. She tells me to speak to someone. A bouncer this time. I get the same information as before, but she was there to hear it this time. Right. 

We find HMV in Oxford Circus and find four appropriate games for him to choose from. Normally this might have taken sometime. Not for GIN; she gets all four and shouts at the lovely shop assistant who had been helping us out for closing down the other branch. I reassure him, silently, over GIN’s head that he should just laugh her off because she is indeed crazy. I getting used to passing that look on to other helpful people in a split second, along with a flash of thankyoupleasesaveme.

Next we visit Young Uncle who is often found near Brick Lane. GIN starts harassing people to drink with her. Whiner has found a friend in this house to play computer games with, so is very content, and Complacent is very happy just to watch her big brother.
Soon it’s 21h. I light heartedly mention bedtime, and get asked ‘why would I need to take them home?’ Never mind the fact this house is full of about twenty adults chatting and listening to music everywhere. Others even try to mention bedtime and intervene. They also get shot down.

In this time, I am made aware of a potential new neighbour (unfortunately even though GIN persists, they assure her there is no spare room is his house for me), a potential new lover, a new sleepover shack, and am forced onto people as new friends. I did enjoy being near people of the real world though, so complied and reluctantly spoke to her when others wouldn't (or she noticed I wasn't being spoken to.)

Eventually after the taxi ride from hell (for Little One, not so much me, as I got to do the comforting) we arrive home at midnight. Young Uncle and I get blamed for Little One needing a wee and getting ratty in the hour taxi ride home at midnight…

So, for my first night sleeping with kids! Here’s hoping I don’t suffocate them. Or myself; with all the giant and numerous cuddly toys I’ll be surrounded by.

I did get some words of wisdom today, but after tonight’s events I just can’t bring myself to remember. One more day.

Editor’s note: this was by far the worst day for me, but reading back it doesn't come across too badly. In her own way GIN did hint at an apology at her behaviour with the kids the next day.  I think this was also the day I was given beer by GIN at 11h30 in the morning and was told I wouldn't be able to cope otherwise… I did subsequently remember the gems of knowledge she gave me, but did not keep note and have forgotten them. Distraught!