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CHARLOTTE
I hold Molly’s hand as we walk in the school gate.
‘Ouch, ouch, ouch,’ she protests.
‘Sorry, sweetheart,’ I say, quickly loosening my grip and slowing my pace, worried I’m walking too fast for her little legs to keep up.
The principal meets us at the door and I smile, trying my best to seem normal. In all the commotion this morning I forgot to call the school to explain we had a family emergency.
‘Good morning, Molly,’ the principal says. ‘It’s good to see you.’
‘Hello,’ Molly says, wriggling her hand away from mine. ‘Mammy says we’re running late this morning. But I don’t think we are ’cos we drived for a quick while in Mammy’s car and then we walked from the car park. We haven’t run at all.’
‘And you like running, don’t you?’ the principal says. ‘But you know there is no running inside school. Even on the mornings we’re a little late.’
Molly nods.
The principal reaches her hand out to Molly and says, ‘Will we walk around to your classroom now? All your friends will be happy to see you.’
Molly takes a step back and tucks herself behind my legs. It’s not like her at all. She usually skips into school so contently.
‘It’s okay, Molly,’ the principal says, bending to Molly’s level. ‘Mammy can walk you to your classroom if you prefer.’
Molly doesn’t answer but I feel her hand slip around my thigh and I know she needs me to go with her.
‘I do hope everything is alright, Mrs Doran,’ the principal says, straightening up. ‘My door is always open.’
‘Thank you,’ I say, reaching behind me to find Molly’s hand.
Molly and I walk down the long corridor lined with children’s colourful artwork.
When we reach Molly’s classroom door I hear Ms Martin say, ‘C’mon now boys and girls take your seats. Quickly please. Quickly, everyone. Break is over. It’s back to work time.’
I knock on the ajar door and wait. Little faces turn to look at Molly and me instead of taking their seats and I feel Molly squeeze my hand a little tighter.
‘Boys and girls,’ Ms Martin says sternly. ‘Seats. Now, please.’
All the children hurry to sit and it’s suddenly silent.
‘Excuse me, Ms Martin, could I have a quick word, please?’ I ask. I try to let go of Molly’s hand but she doesn’t seem to want to be separated.
Ms Martin comes to the door, smiling.
‘Hello, Molly,’ she says as she reaches for Molly’s other hand, but Molly still clings to me. ‘Everyone missed you this morning,’ she adds. ‘Do you want to go inside?’
A table of Molly’s friends wave to her. They’ve got sticky blocks and they’re building a tower. Molly loves building blocks.
‘Go on, sweetheart,’ I say. ‘It’s okay.’
Molly shakes her head. ‘But Daddy said I need to be a good girl and take care of you today.’
‘Ah.’ I smile, suddenly understanding Molly’s clinginess. She’s taken Gavin’s considerate words literally. ‘You’ve done a great job of taking care of me. Thank you,’ I say. ‘But it’s school time now.’
‘But Daddy said?—’
‘Why don’t you make the biggest, best tower with all the lovely, colourful blocks. You can tell Daddy all about it later.’
Molly finally lets go of me, and without another word she hurries over to the table where all her friends are busy building.
