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“I see. I will arrange for the flowers I have ordered to be sent to her there then.”
“Thank you Cordelia, that’s really kind. How’s Phoenix?”
“She is fine. We’ve had a lovely day at the botanic gardens today, but I shall let her tell you all about it. She is very excited for your call. I am waiting to get her to bed so please do not take too long.”
“I won’t. Goodnight Cordelia.”
“Goodnight,” she replies before handing the phone over to Phoenix.
“Baxter!” Phoenix’s delighted squeal comes over the line.
“Hey darling!” Her chipper voice makes me smile. “How’s my favourite small girl?”
“I’m good!” she giggles.
“Have you had a good day?” I ask.
“Yeah! We went to the bo-bot-a big garden. It was pretty!”
“Lovely. What did you see there?” I prompt.
“Lots of flowers and Grandmama knew all the names! And guess what! They even had bees inside! My favourite was the big fat bumble bee. It got so close I could see how fuzzy it was.”
“Wow that’s cool! Weren’t you scared?”
“Silly! Why?” She laughs.
“In case you got stung.”
“No! Mummy says there’s no point being scared of things that might happen.”
“You’re mummy is very clever, isn’t she?”
“And wise. How is she?” she asks after a beat.
“She’s doing really good, darling,” I tell her. It’s only a white lie. I know Raven would normally kill me for lying to her kid, but I think needs must right now.
“Good!” She pauses and then asks in a quiet voice, “Do I have to come home early?”
“Do you want to?”
“I want to see mummy, but I would like to finish my holiday,” she replies quietly, like she doesn’t want to upset anyone.
“Then that’s what you’ll do baby.” I tell her cheerily. “I’ll get mummy to video call you in a day or two, how does that sound?”
“Great! I have to go now Bax, Grandmama says it’s bedtime.”
“Love you kid, I’ll give mummy a massive kiss from you, yeah?”
“Hahaha,” she giggles. “Okay. But no tongues!”
“Eeeeew tongues are gross.” I play along.
“Love you!”
“You too. Sleep tight,” I say, blow a kiss, then hang up. I’m not ashamed to admit that I love that kid. Have done since the moment she was born and I first laid eyes on her. Hell, if it’s possible, I think I loved her before I met her. And I’m starting to think I might feel the same about her mum.
If only Raven would love me back as easily as Phoenix seems to.
