It was the last day of term at school, you know that feeling? Everything smelled of approaching Christmas break, pine trees, and orange peel. I got home from school, grabbed a bite to eat, and climbed up onto my windowsill. I’d wanted to just sit by the window for ages and watch people passing by, doing absolutely nothing myself. Now was the perfect time for it, so I settled in and let the world go by.
Right at that moment my dad burst into the room. He goes, Bored, are you? I replied, Not really Just having a bit of a rest. Whens mum finally coming home? Shes been away for a whole ten days! Dad grinned, Hold onto that window, son! Hold on tight or you might go flying! I grabbed the handle, just in case, and asked, Why, whats up?
He took a step back, pulled out a piece of paper from his coat, waved it about like it was treasure and announced, In an hour, mums coming home! Got the telegram right here! I ran straight from work to tell you! Well skip lunch for now, all have a proper meal together later. Im off to meet her at the station you tidy up the room and wait for us, deal? I leapt off the windowsill, Of course, deal! Hurray! Run, dont waste time, bring mum home quick as you can!
Dad darted out the door, and I started tidying like I was in some kind of sea-going emergency. Absolute military operation chairs, in your places! Stand to attention! Broom, dustpan! Sweep up, lets move! Hey, mister Floor, whats your excuse for not gleaming? Shine this instant! I was really chuffed with myself, honestly, such a star helper. You should be proud of a kid like that! When I grow up, you know what Ill be? Ill be well! Ill be something huge, bigger than anything! I could be ooh-errsomething amazing! I kept shouting and boasting, just to pass the time until mum and dad came home.
Eventually, the door burst open again and in came dad, all ruffled and his hat perched on the back of his head! He looked like the entire brass band and its conductor at once, waving his arms about. Dum-dum-drum! he shouted, and I realised he was pretending great Turkish drums were beating to celebrate mums return.
Boing-boing! went the imaginary cymbals. Then he did voices like a whole choir of a hundred, singing at the top of his lungs. Well, he didnt even close the door, so I ran out into the hallway to meet mum.
She was standing near the coat rack, holding some kind of bundle in her arms. She smiled tenderly at me and said gently, Hello, sweetheart! How have you been without me? I answered, I missed you. Mum said, Well, I brought you a Christmas surprise! I went, An aeroplane? Mum laughed, Take a look!
For some reason, we were speaking in hushed tones. She handed me the bundle, and I took it in my arms. Whats this, mum? I asked. Your baby sister, Harriet, she whispered.
I didnt say a word.
Then mum pulled back a bit of the lace blanket so I could see my sisters face. It was tiny, barely anything to see. I held her as tightly as I could.
Dum-bum-drumm! Dad appeared from the living room, booming. Ladies and gentlemen, he said, putting on his best announcers voice, In honour of the Christmas holiday, the boy Oliver receives a fresh, live baby sister Harriet! Length from heel to head: fifty centimetres, head to heel fifty again! Net weight: three kilos, two-hundred and fifty grams, not counting the wrapping!
He squatted down in front of me, cupped his hands under mine probably in case I dropped Harriet and asked mum in his normal voice, Who does she take after?
After you, said mum.
Dad disagreed. Not at all! With that little headscarf, she looks just like that darling stage actress Miss Kirkham, the one I was wild about when I was young. Actually, Ive noticed all newborns spend their first days looking exactly like famous Miss Kirkham. Especially the nose that nose is really striking.
I stood there like a total numpty, smiling with Harriet in my arms. Mum looked worried, Careful, Oliver, please dont drop her. I replied, Come on, mum dont worry! I can lift my whole bike with one hand, Im not about to drop this little bundle, am I?
Dad beamed, Bath time tonight! Get ready! He took the bundle with Harriet and walked off. I followed, and then behind me came mum. We popped Harriet into the open drawer of the dresser for the night calm as you like, she lay there.
Dad said, Just for tonight. Tomorrow Ill buy her a proper cot, so she can sleep in style. You, Oliver, keep an eye on those dresser keys dont let anyone shut your sister away by mistake, or well never find her!
Then we sat down to dinner. I kept getting up every minute to check on Harriet. She was fast asleep. I was amazed and poked her cheek with my finger so soft, just like clotted cream. Once I had a good look, I saw her long, dark eyelashes
In the evening, it was bath time for Harriet. We set a basin with a plug on dads desk and carted over a load of saucepans filled with hot and cold water. Harriet waited in her drawer, clearly nervous because she creaked like a door, while dad kept her spirits up with cheerful encouragement so she wouldnt get too scared. Dad dashed around with towels and water, took off his jacket, rolled up his sleeves, and called out for everyone to hear:
Whos the best swimmer in the world? Whos the champion at diving? Who blows the best bubbles?
And with the look Harriet had, youd think she actually was the champion dads flattery worked its magic. But when it came to bath time, she suddenly looked so terrified honestly, it was as if her own parents were about to drown her. I quickly slipped under mums elbow and gave Harriet my finger to hang on to. And I guessed right she grabbed onto my finger (wow, did she ever!) and calmed down immediately. She clung to me so tightly and desperately, just like someone grabbing at a lifeline. It made me feel so sorry for her, especially since she chose to trust me, hanging on with her little sparrow fingers and I could feel it in them, clear as day. Bathing was pure horror for her, risky and scary, and the only thing to do was hold onto her big, strong, brave brother.
Once I realised that, understood how hard and frightening it was for her, I loved her right away.
And late that night, lying in bed, I kept thinking about how tomorrow Id decorate the Christmas tree myself just for Harriet, and how nobody else I knew got a Christmas present half as brilliant as this.
