The Night the Angels Came by Cathy Glass Page B

them carefully, for I know that when boys get together bravado can sometimes result in safety and wisdom being left behind. Paula could swim but only recently without armbands, so she felt happier staying in the shallow end, where she could put her feet down and touch the bottom if necessary.
    We stayed in the water for an hour and a half and then Paula gave a little shiver. ‘Are you getting cold?’ I asked. She nodded and her teeth began to chatter. I helped her climb out, wrapped her in her towel, and then we walked along the side of the pool until we were parallel with the boys in the water. I’m sure they could have stayed in the pool all day but when I called them over they came. I suggested we had lunch in the cafeteria and they admitted they were hungry and scrambled out.
    It was about 3.00 p.m. when we arrived home and as it was still a fine day we went into the garden. The boys kicked a ball around while Paula helped me do some gardening. We swept up the fallen leaves from winter, pulled up some weeds, and then I cut the daffodils and tulips, which had finished blooming and were now being replaced by carnations and other late April flowers. The earth smelt fresh and clean. The grass was overdue for its first cut of the year and when Paula joined the boys, who were now playing in the sandpit, I decided to cut it.
    Hauling the lawnmower from the shed, I found the oil can and began oiling the moving parts, as I’d seen John do. I then unwound the extension lead, plugged in the external circuit breaker and, warning the children not to come close, began cutting the lawn. Mowing the grass had always been one of John’s jobs (he’d said he liked doing it), but as with the other jobs that had been ‘his’, since he’d left it had become my job. And while I continually surprised myself at just what I could do – including unblocking sinks and drains, minor electrical repairs and, most commonly, repairing broken toys, my self-sufficiency was a double-edged sword. For while I took pride in my achievements, I no longer had anyone with whom to share responsibility or just chat and discuss problems, which I greatly missed, as I’m sure most single parents do.
    When I’d finished cutting the grass and Michael saw me cleaning and collapsing the lawnmower, he said admiringly, ‘You’re like my dad: he can do everything too.’
    I smiled and said quietly, ‘It’s a case of having to, love.’
    Patrick phoned at about 6.00 and Michael chatted happily, telling him all the things he’d done that day. When he’d finished talking to his father he called me to the phone. ‘Dad says can he talk to you if you’re not busy?’
    ‘Which I’m sure you are,’ Patrick said as I picked up the phone.
    I laughed. ‘No, not too busy, more exhausted. We’ve had a fun but tiring day.’
    ‘Yes, Michael was telling me. Thank you very much. He sounds so happy.’
    ‘We all enjoyed it,’ I said. ‘Look, Cathy,’ Patrick said, ‘I haven’t said anything to Michael but if my blood test is clear I can come out tomorrow.’
    ‘Fantastic,’ I said.
    ‘I don’t want to interfere with your plans but I was thinking of collecting Michael late morning. As soon as I’ve got a time I’ll call you and then come over in a cab. How would that fit in? I don’t want you waiting in if you were going out.’
    ‘That’s fine,’ I said. ‘We’ll be in. I was planning a relaxing day tomorrow and I think Michael has some homework to do. But instead of you taking a cab why don’t I bring Michael home in my car? It’s only a fifteen-minute drive.’
    ‘I don’t want to put you to any trouble.’
    ‘It’s no trouble,’ I assured him.
    ‘Well, if you’re sure that would be a great help. I’ll give you something for petrol.’
    ‘No, you won’t,’ I said.
    ‘All right, I’ll buy you flowers instead.’
    I laughed. ‘Well, if you insist.’
    ‘I do. I’ll say goodbye now and let you get on. I’ll phone you in the morning