20th October 2008

It’s been a while since I’ve had time to sit down and add to this ever-expanding family blog, mostly because I’ve been chasing a two-year-old around like a contestant on Gladiators: Toddler Edition.

As planned, the day after our return from Zanzibar (still sand in my sandals), Sarah and I met the newlyweds and their little one at Heathrow. We then shepherded them to Gatwick, pausing en route at the Copthorne Hotel for hot chocolate, a baggage reshuffle, and some warm farewells. Charlotte and Suraj were off to the Maldives for their honeymoon, and we were officially handed the reins of an energetic bundle, otherwise known as Lucas.

We arrived back at Willow Bank in the early afternoon, miraculously avoiding traffic. A rare gift from the motorway gods, which I accepted gratefully.

With Sue working full-time, I had the immense privilege, and, let’s be honest, the stress, of looking after Lucas solo. One highlight was taking him to Farndon Fields School to meet my old colleagues. He charmed the lot of them, of course. I also brought photos from the wedding, which were met with coos and compliments that made me beam with pride all over again.

Each morning began with the sacred ritual of Weetabix, followed by Lucas’s self-appointed role as Orchard Manager: gathering fallen apples into a little bucket, tipping them into the compost heap like a seasoned farmer, and helping me pick runner beans and tomatoes, although tomato identification was a learning curve. The red ones occasionally eluded him, so we kept the green misfires on the windowsill for ripening. He’s now on tomato probation until further notice.

Our days were packed. We made pilgrimages to the library for story time, played in the park on its £350,000 worth of newly installed kit (which he tackled with wild abandon), and hosted Michelin-star-worthy pretend meals in a small tent in the back garden. Ingredients included leaves, twigs, soil, and the occasional plastic aubergine. A true forager’s delight.

We also ventured into town most days. What should’ve been a ten-minute walk turned into a sociological study, as we stopped for chats with mums, pensioners, and just about anyone who’s ever raised a child or grown a fondness for one. I’m now something of an authority on toddler-related small talk.

Afternoons were a lively mix of naps (often enforced), imaginative adventures in a cardboard box “boat” with a monkey and two oversized ducks, and a bit of light forestry work collecting pinecones. The day usually wrapped up with the highly competitive sport of pinecone-plopping into the river from the bridge.

By 3.40 pm, Sarah returned from school and took over with a trip to the park. Sue got back soon after, and by 5.10 pm, Jamie joined the fray, often taking Lucas back again to the park, it likely thinks we’ve moved in.

Once Lucas was safely tucked up in bed (usually dreaming of apples, boats, and grandad’s bean patrol), I switched gear and tackled the 900+ photos from our holiday and the wedding. Over the course of the fortnight, I managed to organise, edit, and compile them into a video, a labour of love I’m very much looking forward to sharing with Charlotte and Suraj.

They’ve phoned several times, hoping to speak with Lucas, but he’s invariably either at the park or deeply asleep. Clearly a busy little man. They return Monday evening, and I’ll be collecting them from the airport. With work looming on Tuesday, they won’t be staying the night, just a quick reunion with their little lad before heading home to Newark.

It’s been exhausting, heartwarming, and rather wonderful. My knees may never forgive me, but my heart’s full, and the garden’s never looked so well-tended.