Not Today!

Jeff’s plans for a tidy home had hit a few snags . . .

JEFF woke, as always, just moments before the bedside alarm clock went off. Today, he knew, was going to be a good day. Today was the day that Julie was coming home.

When Julie had told him that her office was sending her overseas he’d supported her, of course. It was a good opportunity for her, working in the company’s European offices, moving every couple of days to offices across northern Spain.

While she’d been away, Julie had called home every night. She’d been texting their boys, too, but no amount of virtual contact over the internet and airwaves could make up for Julie missing from their lives.

But today, Jeff thought with a smile, was the day she was coming home at last.

He stumbled out of bed and pulled his dressing gown around him.

He went through his mental checklist one final time, noting all the preparations he was going to make before he left at lunchtime to collect her from the airport.

He wanted everything to be perfect for Julie’s return, or as perfect as it could possibly be.

After he’d showered and dressed, Jeff popped his head round Greg’s open bedroom door.

“How are you feeling this morning?” he asked, hardly daring to venture into the darkened room.

At first Greg replied with only a grunt from under his duvet.

“Can I come to meet Mum at the airport?” he croaked after a moment.

Jeff shrugged.

“It might be best if you stay at home, Greg. You haven’t been well enough to go to school all week, and I don’t want you making yourself worse.

“I’ve asked Grandma Nell if she’ll come over to look after you while Gary and I go to pick up Mum.”

“Dad, that’s not fair,” Greg whispered hoarsely from the depths of the duvet, before dissolving into a coughing fit.