Reasons Why

Chapter Two

                "Hey guys!" She stood and joined them in the hall, "you ok? Are you ready for breakfast?"

Carter nodded, "I like jooze." Chloe paused for a moment and he added, "apple jooze."

How hard could it be?

Two hours later they were all dressed, she'd loaded Mikey into the pushchair...or rather stroller...that had caused a bit of a language barrier! Carter had chosen the park as their destination, and he wanted to ride his scooter there. The map Didi had left showed she could get to the park without crossing any major roads, so she'd succumbed. Whizzing along beside her as she walked pushing Mikey, Carter provided a running commentary of everything they passed.

The park was better than most she remembered from home, swings, a roundabout, lots of climbing frames and zip wires, all designed for small children, next door was the same layout on a larger scale for older kids.

Another two hours passed, and they were heading home for lunch. Then an hour of their favourite TV and a play in the garden meant that Didi was home from her job as a shop manager far sooner than Chloe expected. The day had flown by.

That night as they sat for dinner, both kids insisted on sitting either side of her, and she spent most of the time helping them both to eat.

Phil was watching the events with such a pleasurable smile, he loved seeing the children respond so well to his sister, and equally loved that she didn't grumble at their demands for help. He didn't realise until that moment how important Chloe had become and knew that the loss of Owen had only enhanced his desire to spend more time with his family.

                "Our neighbour has offered to babysit tonight, just so that we can wander down to the local pub, chance to meet some locals, relax a bit. What do you think?"

She was helping Phil wash the dishes, Didi was settling the children into bed, a routine she imagined was more normal than the previous evening's display of devoted husband and dad. "Sounds great. I've loved today, but the thought of an ice cold beer on a sunny evening is better than you can imagine."

The pub overlooked the water and they say on the deck which was a little cooler than she'd envisaged. They hadn’t been there half an hour when a few people arrived who knew Phil, people he worked with, and they joined them. She could have felt angry at the fact that this seemed predetermined and the new arrivals included a few single men, a similar age to her, but she wasn't there for matchmaking. After a bad split with David a few months earlier, another male in life in a romantic capacity was the last thing she needed.

Saying that it was nice to meet a few people her age, and they seemed nice, telling her about concerts and parties that were planned over the summer.

When she came back from the bathroom, Phil was at the bar buying some drinks, "need a hand?" When he nodded she leaned her elbows on the bar next to him. "You matchmaking?"

He glanced down at her with a smile, "I thought that meeting a few youngsters your age would make you less obligated to socialise with us!"

It was Chloe's turn to laugh, "I have loads of friends at home, I'm here to spend time with you, and Didi, and my cute as hell nephews. Honest!"

He grinned, it was what he'd hoped to hear, but being almost forty he did feel 'over the hill' compared to his young sister, and he'd hate her to feel restricted by him. This trip was meant to heal her, make her well again.

The following day, Chloe was surprised when Didi came home at lunchtime.

                "It's quiet; I thought we could hit the shops. I need some things, but I can't do it with both boys. I thought if you came with me?"