Effie: Are you sure you don’t want us to have Sooty for a bit longer? She’s no bother.
Jake: Thanks, Effie, but we’re missing her! Rowan really wants her to come home now. And we’d like it if you’d come round and see Jack tomorrow.
Effie: We’d love to! So, how are you liking being a dad, then?
Jake: Oh – it’s, er – it’s – I don’t know, really…
Effie: Oh, that’s not the answer I was expecting.
Jake: Sorry…I don’t know why I said it. Anyway, I’d better get back.
Effie: No, don’t rush off. Come and sit down for a few minutes and talk to me.
Effie: It comes as a bit of a shock, doesn’t it, when the baby finally arrives? However much you look forward to it and think you’ve got everything planned, it can still all feel a bit overwhelming.
Jake: It’s not how I expected to feel…
Jake: Would it sound stupid if I said it’s all a bit scary?
Effie: Not really. But when you say it’s ALL a bit scary, maybe we could break it down into smaller pieces?
Jake: He’s so small and fragile…I feel a bit nervous about holding him. My hands feel too big and clumsy. I never held a tiny baby before I held Jack.
Effie: You’ll soon get used to him. Babies are pretty tough, Jake! You won’t hurt him. You just need to –
Effie: – Jessica, don’t climb all over Uncle Jake, we’re trying to talk!
Jessica: He wants a hug, Mummy.
Jake: Oh – thanks, Jessica! Come on, then.
Jake: Rowan just seems to know what to do…I suppose its maternal instinct, isn’t it? I feel all at sea! It’s one thing reading all the books, but it’s totally different in real life. I love him so much – I don’t want to get things wrong. I don’t want to let him down.
Effie: What on earth do you think you’re going to get wrong?
Jake: I don’t really know…everything…
Effie: He’s just a little baby – all you have to do for now is to keep him warm and clean and fed. I don’t suppose you’ve told Rowan how you feel?
Jake: No, I – oh!
Daisy: Cuddle ME!
Effie: Daisy! Oh, Jake, I’m sorry – these two aren’t going to let us have a sensible conversation.
Jessica: Daisy, go ‘way!
Effie: I have such horrible unriuly children…you see what you have to look forward to? These two are probably making you feel even more worried!
Jake: No they’re not – they’re great.
Effie: You know, it might be nice for you and Will to have a chat when we come round tomorrow. You can both disappear off to the kitchen or something. Will’s point of view might be more helpful than mine!
Jake: You’ve helped a lot, Effie.
Jake: Just talking out loud has helped. When everything’s going round in my head, I think it all gets mixed up and it seems a lot worse than it really is.
Effie: Well – I still think you should talk to Rowan. I know you don’t want to worry her, but she doesn’t worry about things like you do!
Jake: I know – she just gets things out in the open and deals with them. I’ll talk to her. Thanks, Effie.
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