The Fairy Godmother Part 62

“You’ve been back a week,” said Enid gradually appearing next to me.

“I’ve been thinking,” I replied.

“What’s there to think about?” asked Enid.

“A lot of things,” I replied.

“Such as?” asked Enid.

“You admitted to being my Mother because, well, I suppose, you’d been backed into a corner and didn’t have any choice,” I replied slowly. I wasn’t really sure how to say what I wanted to say without it coming out wrong.

“OK, so I’m your Mother,” said Enid. “I don’t see that it’s such a big deal.”

“Would you have told me, if you didn’t have to?” I asked.

“Probably not,” Enid replied. “It didn’t seem all that relevant to me.”

“It is to me,” I said. “I always thought you didn’t like me. You were always finding fault in everything I did. Nothing I ever did was ever good enough for you.”

“I knew you were capable of better,” said Enid. “I didn’t want you to ever do less than your best with any job.”

“You could have tried praising me when I did well,” I replied.

“How would you learn if I didn’t tell you where you could have done better?” asked Enid.

“How could I learn if you don’t tell me when I’m doing something right?” I asked in reply.

“I don’t see what this has to do with me being your Mother?” said Enid, changing the subject again, though I have to admit I was going off at a tangent a bit.

“I thought you didn’t like me because I’d done something to upset you,” I said. “Now I’ve found out that the one thing I did was to be born!”

“I don’t follow your logic,” Enid admitted.

“If I hadn’t been born, perhaps you and Dad wouldn’t have split up,” I said.

“Very likely,” said Enid.

“No, Mum,” I said. “This is the bit where you say it wasn’t my fault, he’d have left anyway or something like that.”

“But that isn’t the case,” said Enid. “I became pregnant and he wasn’t interested in hanging round. He left me for that woman in the laundry. He just didn’t want to be around children.”

“Yet, from all accounts, he didn’t leave her when she became pregnant,” I said.

“She wasn’t expecting you was she,” Enid snapped.

“Or was it that her baby wasn’t being carried by you,” I replied and waved my wand to take me somewhere else that she wasn’t.

It took me a couple of minutes to realise that I was in the fairy laundry, I think it was all the steam that did it. It felt like my eyes were steaming up and that I should have windscreen wipers on the insides of them or something.

“Hello,” said Violet’s Mother. “If you don’t mind my asking, what are you doing here, everything is running smoothly and if I remember rightly, Violet is Head of the Fairy Godmothers now?”

“Sorry, I was having an argument with Enid, my Mother, and it just got a bit much, I just wanted to be somewhere that she wouldn’t follow me,” I said.

“You chose a good place,” she smiled. “This would be the last place you’d find her.”

“I’d better leave you in peace,” I said. “You have work to do and I’d only be in the way.”

“Come to my office,” she smiled. “You look upset. Violet told me that you’d found out about Enid being your Mother.”

“She did a great job of keeping that secret,” I said.

“So I wouldn’t be wrong in guessing that this row has something to do with that?” she asked.

“Seems, it was all my fault, her and Dad splitting up,” I said.

“No,” said Violet’s Mother. “They split up long before you came along.”

“She said he left when he found out that I was on the way,” I explained.

“He wouldn’t have done that,” Violet’s Mother explained. “Your Father wanted children, she didn’t, so he left her. She went frantic, threatened all sorts of things if he didn’t go back to her, so he went back, in the hope that he could get her to realise that they wanted two different lives and that it was best if they parted as friends rather than they stay together to stop her doing anything silly.

“What did she do?” I asked.

“She said stay for a month and we can talk about it at the end,” Violet’s Mum said.

“And then she told them she was pregnant?” I asked.

“Yes,” sighed Violet’s Mother. “She told him that she couldn’t cope with a baby all on her own, that he had to stay with her. So he stayed.”

“When did he leave?” I asked.

“You were six months old,” said Violet’s Mother.

“I thought he left before I was born,” I said.

“He tried to stay with her, but she was too controlling. He even offered to take you with him, but she wouldn’t have that. She said, perhaps, if you’d been a boy, it might have worked, but a girl should be brought up by her Mother. Next thing he knew, you’d been dropped off at the nursery and he’d been denied any access to you,” Violet’s Mother explained.

“Would it be possible for me to talk to him?” I asked.

“The rules that prevent him from having any access to you have passed,” Violet’s Mother explained. “You can talk to whoever you want to and I know for a fact that he would like to talk to you.”

“So why hasn’t he?” I asked.

“I told him what I’d do to him if he came anywhere near you,” Enid hissed.

“I didn’t think you’d find me here,” I said, glaring at her.

“That’s what I was counting on,” said Enid. “He is and always has been, a total waste of space. I don’t know why you would want to waste your time on him.”

“You didn’t think he was a waste of space, not then, or you wouldn’t have tried to use me to keep him,” I said.

“Everyone makes mistakes,” said Enid.

“And which mistake would that be, falling for him or conceiving me?” I asked.

“Yes,” said Enid.

“If that’s what you think of me why have you gone to so much effort to make sure I don’t ever get to talk to him?” I asked.

“You wouldn’t understand,” she replied.

“So explain,” I said.

“You would have to be a Mother to understand,” Enid replied.

“Well then I’d better talk to him,” I said.

“I forbid it,” said Enid.

“Only I’m too old for you to do that,” I said.

“He’s in the laundry,” said Violet’s Mother. “I thought I’d ring him and tell him what was going on.”

“If you talk to him, then I shan’t ever talk to you again,” said Enid.

“Is that a promise?” I asked.

“You are impossible,” she snapped and with a wave of her wand she was gone.

“Are you sure that was wise?” asked Violet’s Mother.

“Wise,” I said. “She has never been able to stay away for more than a few hours, except when she dumped me at the nursery. We’ll see how long it lasts this time.”

“If you are sure,” said Violet’s Mother.

“Lead on,” I said. “It would be nice to meet my Father and hear his side of the story.”

“It may not be what you hoped it would be,” Violet’s Mother warned me.

“I have no expectations,” I smiled.

“This is your Father,” said Violet’s Mother as a man appeared at the office door.

“And you would be Myrtle?” he asked. “Not that there could be any doubt, you are the spitting image of your Mother at that age.”

“There’s no need to insult me,” I replied.

“She was beautiful then, just as you are now,” he said. “And I’m not just saying that.”

“You’re the only one who thinks so,” I replied. “But that’s beside the point.”

“The point being that you have a lot of questions to ask me,” he said.

“Yes,” I replied, trying to get them sorted in my head. “The first one being, who are you?”

By Janice Nye © 2020

The Fairy Godmother Part 61

The cups of tea were poured out, no one commented that the teapot didn’t look big enough to fill so many cups. The biscuits were handed round and the plate left on the table for anyone to take a second. Then everyone sat around, not looking at each other, but waiting for someone to say something.

“I am Jessie’s Mother,” she said.

“Thank-you for agreeing to help with Rosie,” said Rosie’s Mother, looking through the patio door to where the two girls were playing.

“I don’t think it was wrong to help,” said Jessie’s Mother. “But I think we went about it the wrong way.”

“I am Ian’s Mother,” she said. “And I think you,” she added looking at Jessie’s Mother. “Should have been more careful when they were being born. Jessie should never have known there were two babies.”

“You all know who I am,” I said. “And I think the mistake was made in not engaging Jessie and Ian in the discussion right at the very beginning.”

“There wasn’t time,” said Rosie’s Mother. “I was in a bad way and Rosie was in danger, she had to be moved straight away.”

“It wouldn’t have taken long to talk to us about it,” said Jessie, holding Ian’s hand. “It would have saved all that subterfuge when Rosie became ill.”

“She’s better now, thanks to the transplant,” said Rosie’s Mother. “So I don’t see that that is an issue.”

“She’d have got the transplant earlier if we had been in on this from the start,” Jessie replied, sticking to her guns. “That would have reduced the risks and made recovery quicker.”

“You are right about that,” said Rosie’s Step-Father. “It would have been better without that wait.”

“It isn’t the way we do things,” Rosie’s Mother tried to explain.

“So, if I had been a fairy?” asked Jessie. “Talk me through what would happen.”

“If you had been a fairy, you would have needed your Mother’s permission to become pregnant,” said Rosie’s Mother.

“Did you need your Mother’s permission?” asked Jessie.

“I am five hundred years old, I am old enough not to need her permission,” Jessie’s Mother replied.

“What went wrong?” asked Jessie.

“Rosie’s Father left me and I couldn’t cope,” she replied. “It was necessary to find someone to carry her.”

“Couldn’t you have chosen a fairy?” Jessie asked.

“I didn’t know any at the right stage of pregnancy,” she replied.

“I was at the right stage,” Jessie said.

“Yes. Also, one of your ancestors was a fairy, so you having some fairy genes in your make up meant it was more likely to succeed,” she said. “I don’t understand the problem.”

“The problem is that you transferred a fetus into me without my permission,” said Jessie.

“Your Mother was OK with it all and you were already carrying one child,” said Rosie’s Mother. “If you had been a fairy you would have just accepted this.”

“I am not a fairy,” said Jessie.

“You are part fairy,” said Rosie’s step-father.

“I am human and it is my body, you should have asked me,” said Jessie, her grip on Ian’s hand had increased and he had a slightly pained expression on his face.

“I think that is where we went wrong,” said Rosie’s Mother. “We forgot that you were human and we should have asked you and not your Mother. If you had been in the know right from the start it would have been simple when Rosie fell ill. Non of the rest would have happened and we are truly sorry that you have been put out in any way.”

“Put out,” said Jessie, slowly. “Someone tried to kill us so that our daughter would go to the children’s home and you could adopt her and therefore Rosie could have a bone marrow transplant.”

“Things got out of hand,” said Jessie’s Mother. “Lily said this was the best way to organise things.”

“What do you have to say for yourself?” Jessie asked her Mother.

“I didn’t think you would know anything about it,” she said. “They promised to make life easier for you after the birth, that life would go smoothly for you.”

“That’s the first I’ve heard of it,” I said. “I’d better get my Mother here to explain,” I added ringing her up. “It’s gone through to voice mail,” I muttered. “She’s avoiding me.”

“Perhaps I should ring her,” said Rosie’s Mother. “Voice mail,” she said.

“Can you lot wait a moment or two whilst I get her?” I asked.

“What if she wont come?” asked Jessie.

“She will,” I said waving my wand.

“You are coming with me,” I told Enid, grabbing her by the arm.

“Why?” she asked.

“You have some explaining to do, there were promises made that I don’t think have been delivered upon,” I replied.

“Lily made those promises,” she sighed.

“And you are her nearest relative, I think, so, you had better start explaining,” I said waving my wand.

“Hello,” said Enid. “I hope you are having less problems with your off spring than I am having with mine,” she added shaking my hand off her arm.

“We have come to the conclusion that we are at error for not discussing the arrangement with Jessie, it is her body and she should make the choices concerning it. She is not a fairy, she is human and they are different,” said Rosie’s Mother. “I would like to thank you for carrying Rosie and for coming to our aid when she needed it.”

“Because of you, I carried her and I couldn’t walk away when she needed help,” said Jessie. “She will always be a part of me, so I want to stay in touch with her.”

“We can understand that,” said Rosie’s Mother.

“I didn’t mean to hurt you,” said Jessie’s Mother. “Lily and Enid’s Mother was the child my great great grandmother carried and that is where the fairy genes came from, the connection which brought them to you.”

“And if you’d handled the birth properly,” said Ian’s Mother.

“They’d have still needed Ella for the bone marrow,” said Ian’s Father.

“Yes, but,” stuttered Ian’s Mother. “All this, it’s all her fault,” she glared at Jessie’s Mother who looked as if she was about to burst into tears.

“The promises Lily made, that Jessie and Ian would have an easy life?” I asked Enid.

“OK, she shouldn’t have made those promises,” said Enid.

“Not if she had no intention to uphold them,” I said.

“It isn’t as if anyone came to any harm,” Enid said.

“Jessie and Ian were both nearly killed, Ella ended up in a children’s home, you caused the family to be divided for a few years,” I said. “No harm!”

“I forgot about that,” said Enid. “I am sorry for the trouble my sister caused you,” she said smiling at Jessie.

“You are Head of the Fairy Council?” Jessie asked.

“I was, but the Council are considering some of the decisions I made,” she sighed. “They may not have been the best thought out.”

“So they are thinking of chucking you out,” said Jessie.

“Just like they were thinking of chucking Lily out,” I said.

“I think she was a bit hasty,” said Enid. “They hadn’t decided. She didn’t have to do what she did.”

“Whatever,” said Jessie. “I want you to go to the Fairy Council and make sure this sort of thing doesn’t happen again.”

“But what if a fairy fetus needs to be re-homed?” asked Rosie’s Mum.

“Then they talk to the one who they want to carry the fetus, not her Mother,” said Jessie.

“I will put that to the council,” said Enid.

“And I will make sure that you do,” I told Enid.

“This is not something open to discussion,” said Jessie. “I don’t want another woman treated the way I have been.”

“I fully understand,” I told Jessie.

“That’s fine then,” said Jessie. “I want to know exactly what they say.”

“We could bring them here to tell you in person,” I said.

“OK,” said Jessie.

“Where does that leave us?” asked Jessie’s Mother cautiously.

“I think I understand why you did it,” said Jessie slowly.

“But I shouldn’t have, not without talking to you,” she said.

“No, you shouldn’t, and this is going to take a long time to heal,” said Jessie. “But you are my Mother and I do want you and Dad in my life, in my children’s lives. I just don’t want you taking over.”

“Thank-you,” said Jessie’s Mother.

“I still think,” Ian’s Mother started to say.

“That you don’t know when to shut up,” said Ian’s Father.

“What!” she said, looking stunned.

“I am sorry there has been bad blood between us,” Ian’s Father said to Ian and Jessie.

“I understand, you felt the need to defend Mum,” said Ian.

“Yes, even if I didn’t agree with her,” Ian’s Father replied.

“Is this sorted?” asked Enid yawning.

“I think so,” said Jessie.

“Mothers!” I muttered.

“Tell me about them,” Jessie sighed.

“Mummy,” said Ella. “When is lunch time? Rosie and I are very hungry.”

“If that’s the case, lunch time is now,” said Jessie. “If you wouldn’t all mind helping to put the food on the table.

“That’s easy,” said Enid waving her wand and a table was set in the garden with all the food arranged on it, plus a bit extra. It was in a fairy tent garlanded with flowers surrounded by the most comfortable chairs and side tables, with fairies ready to serve the food.

“Well, if our neighbours start telling everyone about this, no one will ever believe another word they say,” Jessie smiled.

“And the easy life that was promised?” I asked Enid.

“They will have it and more,” said Enid. “Lily shouldn’t have promised it, but I will make sure it happens from now.”

“So they get their happy ever after?” I asked.

“Yes,” said Enid. “They deserve it,” she added watching as everyone moved out into the garden. “And us?” she asked quietly.

“You know who I want to know,” I said. “But we will talk about it tomorrow.”

by Janice Nye © 2020

The Fairy Godmother Part 60

“This has failure written all over it,” said Enid, at 6am whilst I was putting the finishing touches to the spread.

“Only if you say something you shouldn’t,” I replied.

“Are you saying,” she started.

“That you would sabotage this just to score points?” I asked.

“That isn’t what I was going to say,” snapped Enid.

“Maybe not, but I wouldn’t put it past you,” I replied. “You have a history of that sort of thing.”

“How could you say such a thing to your own Mother!” Enid replied trying to sound shocked.

“My own Mother, the one who dumped me in the fairy nursery as soon as my Father walked out on her,” I replied.

“I couldn’t cope without him, I don’t expect you to understand,” she said. “It was a very difficult time for me.”

“You didn’t try to cope and you didn’t make any effort to let me know who you were when I was old enough to look after myself,” I replied. “And anyway, you are doing what you always do, trying to divert attention to you. Well today isn’t about you, it is about Ella and Rosie, the two birthday girls.”

“I think you are being very cruel,” said Enid.

“And you are being selfish, trying to hi-jack today, grow up and let someone else be centre of attention for once,” I replied, checking the food for the umpteenth time and then moving on to the decorations. They were perfect, as they had been late the previous day when we put them all up and I added a spell to make sure they stayed in place.

“This is also a day for reconciliation,” Enid reminded me.

“Yes, between Jessie, Ian and their parents,” I said.

“I don’t see why it can’t be between us as well,” Enid replied.

“Because you have never said sorry for anything you have ever done,” I said.

“But,” Enid started. “I don’t think I have anything to say sorry about. Whereas you, I can think of tons of things that you should be saying sorry for.”

“That’s the problem,” I said. “You don’t see that anything you have done could ever be wrong, so the reconciliation falls at the first hurdle.”

“I haven’t done anything wrong,” said Enid.

“You are doing it again,” I said. “Making it all about you. I want today to go smoothly, I want the Happy ever after ending and I want the families to be friends again. We can discuss our differences after that has happened.”

“So what are you saying?” asked Enid.

“This day better go well or else,” I said.

“I shall do my best, but really it is out of my hands,” said Enid.

“Stuff this up and I shall never speak to you again,” I replied.

“I came here to help you,” Enid replied, trying to sound reproachful, but only succeeding to sound petulant.

“Then help,” I replied.

“How?” she asked.

“By not doing anything without asking me,” I said.

“You are treating my like an apprentice, worse than one, I’d allow some call to judgement,” said Enid.

“You didn’t when I was an apprentice,” I replied. “Now, I expect you to stay quiet till I ask you to do something.”

“But,” she started and I held my index finger up to my mouth.

“Not one word,” I said. She glared at me and left with a dramatic waving of her wand.

“Do you think she’s going to cause trouble?” asked Jessie.

“Not if she wants to speak to me again,” I smiled.

“Don’t you think you are being a bit hard on her?” Jessie asked.

“No,” I replied. “She has a lot of bridges to build, but that is for after the party.”

“Have you been in touch with Rosie’s people?” asked Ian.

“Yes, they should be here just after breakfast, I thought Ella and Rosie should have as much time together as possible,” I said.

“Rosie’s coming?” Ella asked, from the kitchen door.

“It’s her birthday as well,” I said. “I thought you might like to get to know her.”

“I don’t know,” said Ella. “It feels like I’m here to create spare parts for her or something.”

“It wasn’t spare parts,” I replied. “More bone marrow and she is always there to return the favour.”

“I hadn’t thought of it that way,” said Ella.

“Also, you were born together, you weren’t created to supply her with anything, it was just lucky for Rosie that it worked,” I said.

“You were not created for spare parts,” said Jessie. “Never think that.”

“OK,” said Ella.

“Would you like Rosie to come to your party?” I asked.

“Yes,” said Ella. “It might be nice to get to know her.”

“She can leave any time you want her to,” I said.

“If she’s coming after breakfast, we’d better get breakfast started,” said Ella.

“I’d better see to Joy,” said Jessie as a yell was heard from upstairs.

“She’s got a good set of lungs on her,” I said as Jessie headed off.

Breakfast was over and cleared away when there was a knock on the door.

“I’ll see to that,” I said, not sure which of the guests was arriving first.

“Rosie,” screeched Ella. “You’ve got to come and see Joy, my baby sister, she is just the best thing ever,” she added, dashing past me, grabbing Rosie by the hand and pulling her upstairs.

“Come in,” I said to Rosie’s parents. “Would you like a cup of tea?”

“That would be very nice,” smiled Rosie’s Mum and they followed me through to the kitchen.

“I’d better check up on Ella and Joy,” said Jessie. “We don’t want Joy to get upset.”

“I’ll come with you,” said Rosie’s Mum.

No sooner had we got to the kitchen than the door bell rang again. All four Grandparents had arrived at the same time.

“A cup of tea for everyone?” I asked.

“That would be an idea,” said the two Grandmothers at the same time.

“Right,” I said heading back to the kitchen.

“Jessie!” said her Mother as she saw her walking down the stairs carrying Joy.

“I thought you might all like to meet Joy,” she said, holding the baby up, she waved and then burped.

“She looks just like you did at that age,” said Jessie’s Dad. “Absolutely beautiful.”

“I think she has a look of Ian around the eyes,” said Ian’s Mother.

“She is Joy and she is herself,” said Ella.

“Of course,” said Ian as the kettle came to the boil.

“I think it might be an idea if we brought the tea into the living room,” I said smiling.

“There’s a lot of us,” said Ian as everyone filed into the living room. “How are you going to make one pot of tea serve all of us?”

“I am not a Fairy Godmother for nothing,” I smiled. “You keep them from fighting and I’ll bring in the tea and biscuits.”

by Janice Nye © 2020

The Fairy Godmother Part 59

“What are you thinking?” asked Jessie, as she looked up after putting Joy back down into her cot.

“Just how well you are doing,” I said. “Not that you were doing badly at any point,” I added quickly.

“But and extra pair of hands is always useful when you have a new little one in the house,” said Jessie.

“I hope I’ve been of help,” I said smiling down on Joy. “Not that this one has been any trouble.”

“Makes it sound as if you are planning on leaving,” said Jessie.

“There are things I should be doing,” I replied. “A Fairy Godmothers work is never done and you don’t really need my help any more.”

“We shall miss you,” said Jessie.

“You have my number, should you need any help,” I said.

“That’s one number I shall never loose,” said Jessie.

“Good, because I mean it,” I replied.

“I know,” said Jessie, smiling down at Joy. “What are you going to do about Enid?” she asked.

“I’ve told her what I think of her,” I said.

“Not really the best of ways to leave it though,” said Jessie. “And before you say it, I know you aren’t happy with it.”

“No more than you are happy with the way things ended with Joy and Ella’s Grandparents,” I replied.

“The problem is, how to solve it,” said Jessie.

“I suspect it’s one of those things that has to be talked through,” I sighed. “By the way, what was the argument with Ian’s parents?”

“They basically agreed with my Mum about Rosie, what I didn’t know about wouldn’t hurt me, but they also thought my Mum should have done better with keeping me in the dark about her,” Jessie replied. “So they had a row about that. Mum thought I should back her up.”

“And what does your Dad think?” I asked.

“He thought that I should have been told about it at the start, that I should have a say about Rosie and then they wouldn’t have had to spirit her away like that,” Jessie said.

“It would have saved all that subterfuge when Rosie fell ill,” I said.

“Ian and I could have been killed,” said Jessie.

“I don’t think anyone thought that was possible when Rosie was born, I think things got out of control,” I replied.

“Lily, that’s who I blame for it all,” said Jessie. “She’s never once been to apologise. All that manipulation and she just walked away from it without an explanation or anything. Is sorry too much to ask?”

“I think it is the least she could have done, but it isn’t going to happen now,” I sighed.

“Why not?” asked Jessie.

“She killed herself,” I said, my mind wandering back to the moment when she vanished and her clothes fell empty on the sofa.

“Over this?” asked Jessie.

“She had dug herself down a hole and couldn’t see a way out,” I said.

“I’m sorry,” said Jessie.

“It’s not your fault,” I said. “But it hasn’t helped with Enid.”

“How come?” asked Jessie.

“They were sisters, not very close, but she was talked into becoming Head of the Fairy Council when Lily died. Then she wanted me to take on the role of Head of the Fairy Godmothers, because she was finding she couldn’t do both jobs at the same time,” I explained. “She probably thought she could carry on telling me what to do and then I’d do it all for her.”

“Don’t you want to be Head of the Fairy Godmothers?” asked Jessie.

“No,” I said. “I prefer to be working with people, not sorting out the paperwork and there is a lot of that when you become Head of a department.”

“I can’t see Enid doing paperwork,” Jessie smiled.

“She didn’t,” I said. “She’d hide it or delegate it to someone else, who also hide it. When I did the job, temporarily, I kept finding things that should have been sorted out years ago. A good half of my work involved sorting out things that she didn’t feel like doing at the time.”

“So you didn’t want the job?” asked Jessie.

“I found someone who was ideal for it, loves all the detail of contracts and accounts,” I said.

“But she didn’t like her?” asked Jessie.

“You’ve got it in one,” I sighed. “She hasn’t forgiven her for her Mother steeling Dad away from her. I suppose she’s also the reason I ended up in the Fairy nursery.”

“She dumped you! Her own daughter!” Jessie asked.

“Said she couldn’t bring me up on her own,” I said.

“And that is why you didn’t know who she was?” asked Jessie

“Not till she couldn’t deny it any more,” I said. “I still don’t know who my Father is or was and as for my Grandparents, I know Mum rang their Mum when Lily died, but I don’t know who she is and I have no idea about the other three grandparents.”

“Would you like to know about them?” asked Enid.

“I would like the option of knowing them,” I snapped. “And, how long have you been listening?”

“Ever since you told me to leave,” said Enid.

“Why?” I asked.

“I was waiting for you to talk Jessie here into seeing this little one’s Grandparents,” Enid replied.

“Is that why you stayed?” Jessie asked.

“No,” I replied. “I stayed because I thought you could do with a hand, whilst you were getting used to things.”

“So you had no intention of getting her to see the Grandparents,” snapped Enid. “You were just saying that to keep me quiet?”

“And it had been working so well,” I replied.

“You are about to leave, unless I am mistaken,” Enid said. “And there has been no reconciliation.”

“There might have been if you hadn’t butted in,” said Jessie. “I was just beginning to think that Ella and Joy should know their Grandparents, then you turned up and stuck your oar in.”

“It would be a shame for them to miss out,” I said. “And they may have learnt their lesson.”

“I suppose I could give it a go,” said Jessie. “But how would we do this?”

“I think it would be nice to have a party,” I replied. “It will be Ella and Rosie’s birthday next week. Perhaps we should get them all together.”

“I’m not sure if that is awfully wise,” said Enid.

“Ella and Rosie should know each other and Rosie should know Joy,” I said.

“You’re right,” said Jessie.

“OK,” said Enid. “I’ll talk to Rosie’s family,” she agreed and with a wave of her wand she was gone.

“And you will stay till after the party?” asked Jessie.

“I wouldn’t miss that party for all the world,” I smiled. “And I’ll help with the clean up job afterwards.”

“It is the recipe for either the greatest bun fight the world has seen,” said Jessie.

“Or it will go happily ever after,” I said. “The typical fairy tale ending.”

by Janice Nye © 2020

The Fairy Godmother Part 58

“Joy,” said Jessie thoughtfully.

“It’s just a thought,” I said.

“Joy,” she said again looking at the baby who smiled back and reached out her hands as if asking to be picked up. Jessie picked her up. “Joy?” she asked and the baby hugged her. “Joy it is,” Jessie smiled. “As long as no one has any objections?”

“I think it’s a beautiful name,” said Ella.

“It sums her up perfectly,” said Ian.

“That’s settled then,” said Jessie.

“So when do you get to come home?” asked Ella.

“First your Mum needs to have a bath, then she is seen by the consultants and if they say there are no problems, then she can go home with you,” said the nurse.

“That’s going to take forever,” Ella replied.

“It will do if we stand here talking about it,” said the nurse whilst Jessie gathered up all the things she needed. “Baby needs a bath too,” she added.

“Why don’t Dad and I bath her,” said Ella. “That will speed things up a bit.”

“Sounds like a good idea,” said the nurse. “The baby bathing room is through there.”

“What about Myrtle?” asked Ian.

“I can get everything packed up ready to leave,” I replied, not sure how I would managed bathing a baby, I’d avoided it so far, I didn’t think it would be a good place to learn, in front of a load of new mothers.

“I don’t think you are allowed to leave till we give the say,” said someone in a white coat.

“I think you have the wrong person,” I replied.

“I don’t make mistakes,” he replied sounding rather annoyed.

“Well, you have done now,” said Jessie. “My friend Myrtle was just getting my things organised whilst I had a bath.”

“I see,” he said, turning to the nurse. “Why didn’t you say something?” he snapped. She burst into tears and ran out of the ward. “Blasted nuisance these girls,” he said. “One sharp word and they run off crying.”

“She’s doing her best,” I said.

“Well it isn’t good enough,” he replied.

“She isn’t going to learn if you keep snapping at her,” I insisted.

“And why should that bother me?” he asked.

“Well, if no one wants to work with you, they may find it easier to replace you,” I smiled.

“Yes, well,” he muttered.

“It is unprofessional to take out your anger on those who can’t answer back,” I persisted.

“And who asked your opinion?” he asked.

“No one,” I replied. “But I’m giving it all the same, because you are an arrogant egotist and if I don’t tell you no one will because they are being too polite.”

“And you don’t care who you upset,” he replied.

“I think you could be a good person, if you just dropped the ego and remembered that you are dealing with people,” I explained.

“Well, thank-you,” he said. “Now if you don’t mind, I have a patient to examine.”

“Of course not,” I smiled. “Good luck,” I said to Jessie as I drew the curtains around her bed.

The curtains were being pulled back when Ian, Ella and baby Joy came back from the baby bathroom.

“Am I correct in assuming that this is your baby, her elder sister and your husband?” he asked Jessie.

“You are,” she smiled.

“Good,” he said. “I wouldn’t want to make the same mistake twice.”

“Can Mummy and Joy come home?” asked Ella

“We have decided to call the baby Joy,” Jessie explained.

“A very nice name,” said the consultant, checking Joy over. “Yes, you can both go home and I hope Joy is a joy to all of you.”

“Thank-you,” said Ian.

“There will be some paperwork for you to sign, but a nurse will be in with it shortly,” he replied and headed off to the next bed.

“If we take the stuff to go, to the car,” I suggested. “It will make things easier once the papers have been signed.”

“Sounds like a good idea,” said Ian, picking up a few bags.

It didn’t take long to get everything to the car, though there did seem to be a lot of things needing to be washed.

“If you like, I can wait here whilst you can get Ella, Joy and Jessie,” I said when I saw him looking round a bit uncertain.

“That would be good,” he said. “I want to get Jessie and Joy in quickly, there’s a bit of a chill wind and I don’t want either of them to catch a cold.”

“You go,” I smiled. “I can have the car door open as soon as I see you.” He smiled and headed back to the ward.

“Have they chosen a name yet,” said Enid, sitting on the wing.

“Careful, you might dent it,” I said.

“Are you calling me fat?” she snapped. “Or the wing thin?”

“What are you doing here?” I asked, not bothering to answer her question.

“Can’t a Mother visit her daughter?” she asked, trying to sound hurt.

“Sounds like a leading question,” I replied. “I think the answer has to be, it depends on the Mother and daughter.”

“And what do you mean by that?” she snapped.

“Any other Mother and daughter, I wouldn’t have any problems,” I smiled. “But this is you and me we are a talking about, so what are you doing here?”

“I was just wondering how things were going,” she said trying to sound innocent and failing.

“You could have rung or sent a text,” I said. “You know I keep my phone with me at all times.”

“You could have rung me,” she replied trying to sound hurt.

“You still haven’t answered the question,” I replied. “What are you doing here.”

“I was wondering if you’d had time to talk to them about the grandparents?” she asked.

“No, not as yet,” I replied.

“I could ask them if you want,” she said.

“I don’t want,” I snapped. “You are about as subtle as a ton of bricks being hurled from the tenth floor.”

“There’s no need to be like that,” Enid said, trying to sound hurt.

“I will talk to them about Grandparents when they are in the right mood and not before,” I explained. “And when I have done, I will let you know what they think.”

“If that’s the best,” she said, as I caught sight of the little family leaving the building with the baby in a strawberry pot carried by Ian.

“That’s all you are getting, now, you need to go,” I snapped.

“You’ll be in touch?” she asked.

“As soon as I have an answer,” I replied.

“I’ll hold you to that,” Enid replied, with a quick wave of her wand she was gone.

“Was that your Mother?” Ian asked after we settled Jessie and Joy into the car.

“I’ve told her to stay away till I ask her to come,” I replied.

“If she’s being a pest, I can have a word with her,” Ian replied.

“It’s OK, I can deal with her,” I smiled, still wondering what on earth she was playing at.

By Janice Nye © 2020

The Fairy Godmother Part 57

“Time to go home,” I said to Ella as a nurse looked meaningfully at the ward clock.

“But I want to stay with Mummy and Baby,” she mumbled.

“Don’t we all,” sighed Ian.

“Well, if Mummy is OK tomorrow than she and baby can go home with you,” said the nurse.

“Can’t she go home now?” asked Ella.

“She has to see the consultant,” the nurse smiled. “And he went home hours ago.”

“I wish it was tomorrow,” sighed Ella.

“Tomorrow will come quickly if you go home and get some sleep,” smiled Jessie.

“Come on Ella,” Ian said. “Mummy needs to get some sleep as well. You don’t want the consultant to think she is too tired to go home.”

“Of course not,” said Ella. “Promise you will go to sleep as soon as we’ve gone,” she told her Mum. “And don’t keep waking Mummy up,” she told baby. Baby gurgled and she read that as agreement.

“Good by,” Jessie smiled as we walked down the ward with a bag of dirty washing.

“We should get breakfast ready,” said Ella at 6am. I was sitting on a chair in her room, keeping an eye on the phones and her.

“Why?” I asked.

“So that we can get to the hospital early,” she answered.

“They wont let us in any earlier,” I replied. “We would just spend ages hanging around outside.”

“But that isn’t fair,” Ella replied.

“Fair or not, it’s what they do,” I explained. “If they let people in to see their relatives whenever they wanted to then it would be very disruptive of the hospital.”

“I don’t see why,” Ella replied.

“Well, there are some people I know of who would be there 24/7,” I replied.

“I don’t see why that would be a problem,” said Ella.

“Because some people would find it difficult to get any sleep,” I explained. “Also, those chairs aren’t very comfortable.”

“I suppose,” she sighed. “But I can’t sleep, I want to do something.”

“I suppose we could get the breakfast things ready,” I smiled. “But we have to be quiet, your Dad needs to get some sleep.”

“OK,” said Ella leaping out of bed. We tiptoed theatrically down the stairs and went into the kitchen.

“We didn’t tidy up last night,” said Ella. “Mummy would be most disappointed in us if she came home to find the kitchen looking like this.”

“I think everyone was a bit too tired last night,” I smiled. “But it’s easy sorted,” I added giving a quick wave of my wand, the sink started to fill with hot water, the washing up liquid bottle squirted at the water and the green scratchy thing leapt into action. No sooner was something clean than it was on the draining board, the tea towel was drying it and it was flying back to it’s place in the cupboards. Meanwhile, all the mucky dishes were scraping themselves clean of any left overs, all of which went in the bin, and were lining up ready to be washed.

“Mummy sometimes says she’d like a dishwasher,” said Ella. “But I think a magic wand would be much more useful.”

“They’re not limited to just doing the dishes,” I agreed as, with another wave of my wand all the jars and packets that were sitting on the work surface either found there way back into their places in the cupboards or sorted themselves into the right bins.

“We should put out the recycling,” said Ella. “The bins are going to be emptied today.”

“No sooner the word than the deed,” I replied, giving my wand another wave. The kitchen looked clearer, but the work surfaces needed a wipe down.

“What did I say about the wand?” I felt sure I heard Enid say, but much as I looked, I couldn’t see her anywhere.

“If you can’t be bothered to show yourself, then you aren’t really there,” I thought and dismissed her from my mind or tired to.

“We just need to get the surfaces wiped down and breakfast things ready for when your Dad comes down,” I smiled at Ella.

“We need to clean the floor,” said Ella shaking her head. “We must have walked some mud in or something. Mummy wouldn’t have the kitchen floor in that condition.”

“OK,” I smiled, waving my wand again. A cupboard opened and a bucket and mop hopped out. The mop proceeded to clean all the muck off the floor and then took itself and the bucket back into the cupboard.

“I wondered where you all were,” said Ian standing at the kitchen door. “I do hope you realised that I was going to get up early to do all of that.”

“Of course,” I replied.

“But?” he asked.

“I wanted to do it,” said Ella.

“But you didn’t do it,” said her Dad. “Myrtle waved her wand and it was done.”

“We were going to sort out breakfast next,” I said, trying to change the subject slightly.

“Well, I’ll sort breakfast,” said Ian. “And you little Missy can go back upstairs, get washed, clean your teeth and get dressed. Breakfast should be ready by the time you’ve done all of that.”

“Yes Daddy,” she said, giving him a big hug and skipping up the stairs.

“If I tried doing that I’d fall to the bottom before I even got half way up,” he laughed.

“Me too,” I smiled.

“I know it would be quicker if you waved your wand,” he smiled. “But, it is nice to be able to do something.”

“I think I might have got into trouble with the Fairy Council if I’d used the wand any more for a few hours at least,” I laughed.

“They are restricting the use?” he asked.

“They are beginning to find out that there are consequences to the use of the wand,” I smiled. “Some of which would be hard to see the connection.”

“Such as?” Ian asked.

“There was an apprentice, he got hold of his masters wand, thought he’d use it to do the cleaning, it ran away with him, the castle was flooded before his master could get back and sort it out. As for the ballet dancing elephants, they made quiet a mess especially when they saw the crocodiles,” I smiled. “Clearing all the water out of the castle caused a lot of flooding problems down the hill from the castle, some of the crocodiles escaped, the people in the nearby town didn’t see them in quite the same light as the apprentice.”

“Thing got out of hand,” said Ian.

“You have to know what you are doing,” I replied. “Hence, the magic wands are more of a last resort than a go to solution.”

“So why did you use it today?” he asked.

“Ella does very well, left to herself she would have done the washing and put everything away, only some of the things she would need a step ladder to put away and she may have dropped one or two thing whilst washing,” I replied.

“Only one or two things,” smiled Ian.

“She’s trying hard for her Mother,” I smiled.

“And she makes me very proud of her,” Ian smiled.

“Do I?” asked a little voice from the door.

“Always,” said Ian. “I think baby is very lucky to have an elder sister like you.”

“Do you think so?” asked Ella.

“I think baby thinks that you are wonderful,” I smiled.

“How can you tell?” asked Ella.

“I can see it in her eyes when you lean over the cot, totally absorbed, she never looks away,” I smiled. “And the fact that she doesn’t cry when you are around, speaks volumes.”

“I hadn’t noticed that, but you are right,” said Ian. “Your little sister loves you.”

“She needs a name,” said Ella.

“I was hoping we’d have thought of one by now,” sighed Ian. “Such a happy joyful baby, I’d have thought we could come up with a name by now.”

“Joy,” I said. “She brings Joy to everyone.”

“I like that,” said Ella.

“So do I, but we will have to see what your Mummy thinks about it first,” said Ian.

“Then we had better have our breakfast and get ready to get her,” Ella replied.

By Janice Nye © 2020

The Fairy Godmother Part 56

“I don’t want breakfast, I want to see Mummy,” shouted Ella.

“You don’t get to see your Mum till you’ve had your breakfast,” I explained for the millionth time that morning.

“Daddy?” Ella said as he walked into the kitchen. He didn’t look as if he’d had much sleep, though I had waved my wand in that direction.

“It is as Myrtle says,” her Dad yawned.

“Then you’d better have breakfast as well,” said Ella. “Mummy is going to be very worried if you turn up at the hospital looking like that!”

“I think I’ve been told,” Ian said, looking rather surprised.

“She’s right,” I replied. “What would you like for breakfast?”

“You aught to eat as well,” Ella said looking at me.

“I think I’ve been told to,” I smiled.

“I think toast would be good,” said Ian.

“Right,” I said. “Toast and coffee. I’ll get started.”

“The coffee might waken me up a bit,” Ian said, filling the kettle. “I’ll give you a hand, we can get presentable after breakfast.”

“We don’t want to spill anything down ourselves,” said Ella. “And you will do if we get ready first,” she added looking at her Dad.

We were at the ward door waiting for visiting to start, looking much more presentable than any of us had at breakfast.

“A word in your ear,” said Enid, slipping out of a side room.

“You aren’t wanted,” I hissed, hoping that Ella and Ian hadn’t seen her, fortunately they were busy trying to see through the ward door to see if they could spot Jessie.

“The grandparents should be here,” hissed Ella.

“That is not our decision to make,” I told her.

“But,” started Enid.

“I know what Jessie’s mother did to upset her,” I replied. “I don’t know what the others did or didn’t do, but it is for Jessie and Ian to decide when they want them back in their lives. If we try to push them together it could ruin things completely.”

“But,” Enid persisted.

“No ifs or buts,” I said. “A lot of these problems have been caused by us sticking our noses in where they weren’t wanted. They aren’t going to be improved by us sticking our noses in again.”

“If that’s what you say,” Enid sniffed.

“Yes, now go before anyone sees you,” I replied as a nurse came to open the ward door and the crowd of waiting people surged through.

“There’s Mummy,” squealed Ella, dashing off down the ward. “Mummy I’ve drawn some pictures for you.” Ian and I arrived at the bed a few seconds after Ella, but she was already busy talking to her Mother, telling her about the pictures, so Ian checked up on the baby, gazing into her eyes and lifting her out of the cot.

“You are so beautiful,” he whispered. “Have you had any time to think of a name?” he asked Jessie.

“I thought of naming her after you,” Jessie smiled looking at me. “But, I’m sorry to say, I can’t remember what your name is.”

“Don’t worry,” I sighed. “I didn’t remember what it was till my Mother reminded me about it recently and I wouldn’t wish Myrtle on anyone.”

“Myrtle! What sort of name is that!” asked Jessie.

“What do people call you?” asked Ian.

“The Fairy Godmother,” I smiled, it did seem rather lame as I said it.

“What would you like to be called?” asked Ella.

“I hadn’t thought about it,” I replied. “But I think she should have a name of her own,” I said smiling at the baby.

“So we are back to baby,” smiled Ian.

“I’m sure something will come to mind,” I said, as a nurse walked up.

“It’s time for you to have a bath,” the nurse told Jessie.

“Do I have to?” asked Jessie.

“It’s important to keep the wound clean,” said the nurse.

“We’ll look after baby,” said Ian.

“Thanks,” said Jessie easing herself out of the bed, she didn’t look too keen on moving, but the nurse helped her gather her things together and take her to the bathroom.

“Why does Mummy have a wound?” asked Ella, not an easy question to answer.

“The birth didn’t go so easy,” said Ian. “Do you know what a Caesarian is, have they told you about that at school?”

“Yes,” Ella frowned. “Did Mum have one?”

“Yes,” said Ian, looking relieved at not having to explain it. I felt a little disappointed, I’d have to find out about that one myself, perhaps one of the pregnancy books I’d noticed lying around might have it in.

“Then we will have to do even more for her when she gets home,” said Ella. “Mummy will need to rest and concentrate on baby. I think she needs a name, a pretty name.”

“Have you got any ideas for a name?” I asked looking over at baby.

“I could look up names beginning with M,” Ella suggested. “There could be something amongst them Mum might like.”

“That’s an idea,” said Ian sitting down next to the cot with baby in, she was fast asleep and no one wanted to disturb her, though I suspect all of us wanted to pick her up and make a fuss of her.

It was late when we got back.

“I kept thinking they were going to throw us out,” said Ian as he pulled up in front of the house.

“They did, in the end,” I replied.

“Not till 9pm,” he said turning the engine off. The sound of Ella snoring replaced the sound of the engine.

“I thought she’d gone quiet,” Ian laughed, picking her out of the child seat. “Someone needs to be in bed.”

“She isn’t the only one,” I replied yawning.

“Where will you sleep?” asked Ian.

“You don’t need to worry about me,” I replied. “I will be fine, I meant you.”

“I am fine,” he started saying. “OK, you’re right, I’m all in,” he admitted. “But Ella and.”

“I shall keep an eye on Ella and the phone,” I assured him. “If anything happens you will be the first to know.”

“But you are tired, you must be,” he said.

“I am the Fairy Godmother,” I said. “I don’t need to sleep, much. I’ll be fine.”

“I’m too tired to argue,” he said as we tucked Ella into her bed.

“Good night,” I said, arranging the phones within reach and sitting down in a chair next to Ella.

“Good night,” he said going back to his room.

“You can’t keep this up,” said Enid, sitting herself on the chair arm.

“As long as everything goes OK Jessie will be home in three days,” I said.

“And then what?” asked Enid.

“I shall help out until they have got used to having baby around,” I replied.

“Haven’t they thought of a name yet?” Enid asked, changing the subject as always.

“Jessie wanted to call her after me,” I said. “But when she found out that you lumbered me with the name of Myrtle she changed her mind.”

“I don’t see anything wrong with Myrtle, as a name,” said Enid trying to sound offended.

“Is that why even the fairies at the nursery didn’t use it?” I asked. “Do you have any idea what it’s been like growing up without a name. Hell, it was used so little, I forgot I had one.”

“And now you know what it is,” said Enid. “You could at least thank me for that.”

“For reminding me that my name is Myrtle! I wish you hadn’t bothered,” I said.

“Do you want me to keep an eye on the little one whilst you get some sleep?” asked Enid, changing the subject again.

“I know your mothering instincts and your boredom threshold, you’d wander off after half an hour,” I replied. “I said I’d look after Ella and keep an eye on the phones and that is what I’m going to do.”

“Are you suggesting I might not be up to the job?” Enid asked sounding somewhat miffed.

“No suggestion in it,” I replied.

“I should think not,” she said.

“You aren’t up to the job, never have been, never will be. At least with me you had the sense to give me to someone else to look after,” I said.

“I have never been so insulted,” she bustled.

“You let me down,” I replied. “I’m not doing that to anyone in my charge.”

With a wave of her wand she was gone.

“Good riddance,” I muttered.

By Janice Nye © 2020