Rowan: Welcome back, Sooty! I bet you didn’t miss us one bit, you’ve had a nice old time with Haggis, haven’t you?
Jake: Oh, I’m sure she’s happy to be home.
Rowan: And how about you? Are you happy to be home?
Jake: What?
Rowan: You’ve had a break and some fresh air, and probably a little chat with Effie. Do you feel a bit better for it?
Rowan: Come on – talk to me. I think I know what’s wrong anyway.
Jake: Do you? I tried not to let you see there was anything wrong.
Rowan: There’s nothing gets past me, sunshine. I could feel how tense you were this morning – it felt like you were going to shatter into a million tiny bits. I could see how your hands were shaking when you changed Jack. You’re finding it all a bit daunting, aren’t you?
Rowan: It’s okay! I understand. Honestly, I thought I’D be a bag of nerves and YOU’D be the calm, confident one!
Jake: I don’t want to get anything wrong. I had all these pictures in my head of what it would be like when he was here but I suppose it was all a bit vague. It just suddenly hit me that he’s a living, breathing person in his own right. I had this feeling of panic.
Jake: I was trying to get his sleepsuit on and he was waving his arm around. He seems so tiny and fragile, but when he’s wriggling around he feels so strong, and it took me ages to get his arm in the sleeve and I was scared of hurting him.
Rowan: You won’t hurt him! Babies are pretty tough.
Jake: That’s pretty much what Effie said.
Rowan: Well, there you go, then – Effie should know. Look at him – I think he’s ready for a cuddle.
Jake: I feel nervous about picking him up. You know I’m always dropping things…
Rowan: Jake, you’re not going to drop him! You know, when Effie lived with me and Sadie, she dropped so many dishes it was a standing joke, but she’s never dropped one of the twins.
Rowan: Well – not that she’s admitted to…
Jake: Don’t – !
Rowan: You start worrying about something, don’t you, and it starts off small, and then you build it up in your head into something huge. You should just spit it out straight away!
Jake: I didn’t want to worry you. I should be looking after you and Jack, and supporting you. I’m letting you down.
Rowan: Don’t be daft! Jake, you put up with a lot from me while I was pregnant, and you were there for me all the way. That was a whole nine months of crap from me. You’re just having a funny five minutes, aren’t you?
Jake: You were so worried about not being a good mum – but you’re brilliant with him. I love seeing how relaxed and happy you are with him.
Rowan: And I love seeing YOU with him! He’s so content when you hold him. I think he likes hearing your voice too – I reckon he likes your accent better than mine! Jake, don’t worry about whether you’re doing things right – you read too many books and they all say different things. Just trust your instincts. And tell me if something’s bothering you – I’m sure he’ll give us plenty of things to fret over in the coming years, without you inventing things.
Jake: I probably should toughen up, shouldn’t I?
Rowan: Well…maybe, for your own sake. But Jack and I love you how you are.
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