Page 39 of Pelvic Flaws

The ten or so steps to the lounge didn’t give me much time to prepare a speech, but by the time I pushed open the door, I’d pretty much decided what I was going to say. As soon as I went in, every single word went from my head.

Dex was sitting on the sofa and Charlie was next to him, wrapped up in the throw from the back of the armchair, and Dex had a hand to Charlie’s forehead.

“Okay, buddy,” he said in a calm, soothing voice. “Your mom will be back in a minute. You feel warmer now?”

As Dex pulled the throw further around Charlie, my boy nodded. “Yes, thank you.”

“That’s good. Anything hurt, your head okay?” Dex now sounded a little anxious, as he tilted his head to survey Charlie.

I was sad to see my baby feeling ill, but the sight of Dex caring for him felt like a punch to the stomach – it took the wind right from my lungs.

“Hey,” I said, swallowing the lump in my throat. “I just got the message from Dad. Where does it hurt, sweetie?”

Dex’s head lifted up, and his brow furrowed as he studied me. Averting his gaze, I moved toward Charlie.

“Mummy,” Charlie’s voice broke as he saw me and tears started to form in his eyes.

“He came down while you were in the kitchen,” Dex explained, moving along the sofa to let me sit next to Charlie. “I didn’t want to leave him in here alone. I knew you’d only be a few minutes.”

I flashed him a grateful smile. “Thank you Dex. Thank you so much.”

As I fussed with Charlie, feeling his head and cradling his face, I expected Dex to get up and leave but he didn’t. He did get up, but stood in front of us.

“Anything I can get? Does he need a drink or something?”

“I could do with the thermometer,” I said a little cautious. “I’m sorry to be a pain, but would you mind?”

“Hey, no, of course not.” He turned towards the door. “Where is it?”

“Kitchen, right hand drawer next to the sink.”

With that, he disappeared and I went back to focusing on Charlie.

“Annie said you had a tummy ache. Does it still hurt?”

“No, but I don’t feel right.”

“In what way?” I asked, brushing his shaggy hair from his face.

“I feel sick.”

“Okay. Well, I’ll get you some Calpol and you can sleep in mum’s bed tonight, okay?” He nodded, his eyes drooping with tiredness. “Don’t go to sleep yet, sweetie, let’s get you upstairs.”

“Okay, Mummy.”

I kissed his clammy forehead and sighed. I missed him calling me mummy; it was usually mum these days, unless, like tonight, he was ill.

“Here you go,” Dex said, passing me the thermometer. “I brought him a glass of water too.” He put it down on the coffee table.

“Thank you. I’m going to get him upstairs into my bed. I’ve got some medicine up there in the bathroom cabinet.”

“You want me to carry him?” Dex asked, glancing at Charlie. “He’s pretty much passed out.”

I looked and saw that Charlie was indeed fast asleep.

“Oh God, would you mind?” I pulled my hair from my face and groaned. “I’m so sorry, Dex. This was probably not what you expected on a first date.”

Dex grinned. “With you darlin’, I’d expect anything.”

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