Look After You

10 Years Old

“But muuuum,” Harry whined for the millionth time, stomping his foot in the doorway to his parents’ bedroom.

“No buts Harry, you’re getting a babysitter and that’s final. I am not leaving my son alone for two days completely unattended,” Anne responded.

“You’re only going to Manchester, not bloody Australia.”

“Hey, watch your language,” Anne chastised, ignoring his point as she continued packing a few toiletries into a bag.

“Mum, come on, it’s only one night.”

“Harry, you are getting a sitter and that’s final. He’ll be here in a few minutes so be nice would you. I managed to get someone around your age, only about two years older than you.”

“What’s the point of that? He’s not going to do much,” Harry grumbled, crossing his arms determinedly.

“He’s got a bunch of younger sisters that he looks after all the time so he’s had practice. His mother and I met at book club and she offered to ask him when she found out about the trip and I agreed,” Anne explained, smoothing her son’s curls as she walked past him. Harry let out another annoyed groan before following her downstairs where Robin was standing by the suitcases.

“You know I’d get Gemma to do it but she wants to go to that sleepover and she hasn’t done much in a while. Please Harry, just try to act civil,” Anne sighed exasperatedly, handing her bag over to Robin to pack away before they left.

“Don’t worry Harry, Louis seems like a nice boy, I’m sure you two will be friends within the first hour,” Robin added before carrying the suitcases out to the car. Harry just rolled his eyes and walked into the lounge room, collapsing on the sofa and flicking through the channels. He was halfway through some American sitcom when he heard his mother greeting someone at the door. Harry tried to ignore the nervous feeling in his stomach as he listened to the muted voices of his mother and the mysterious sitter. He didn’t have to wait long before Anne appeared in the doorway, another figure hovering behind her.

“Harry this is Louis, he’s going to stay with you tonight,” she said in a calming tone, stepping aside so the older boy was in view. The first thing Harry saw was a wide, happy smile followed by a pair of bright, blue eyes. He couldn’t help but return the smile, not quite as enthusiastically but still a smile, before looking back to his mother as she began speaking again.

“We’re ready to go so we’ll leave you two to stay. Louis, all the important phone numbers are on the fridge along with the spare keys and money for pizza or something later and Harry can show you where the extra room is that you can stay in. I think that’s everything, call me if you need me but other than that I’ll see you both tomorrow afternoon.” Harry grimaced as she walked forwards to kiss his forehead, trying his best to hide the embarrassment at her actions.

“Bye Ms Cox,” Louis chirped as she walked past, patting his shoulder lightly. Once the sound of the door closing was heard Louis turned back to face the young boy only to see that he was already eyeing him.

“So…” Louis began awkwardly, “you’re watching ‘Friends’.” 

“If you say so,” Harry shrugged, turning back to the screen. Louis nodded dejectedly, expecting nothing less than the cold shoulder he was receiving. It’s a good thing one of Louis’ best qualities is his ability to warm people to him.

“It’s a funny show,” he commented, walking forward to sit on the armchair on the other side of the room.

“It’s alright,” Harry muttered, trying to seem nonchalant. Truth is he had been struggling not to laugh for the past twenty minutes, not wanting to break his grumpy façade.