This post, whilst published in time for Princess Charlotte’s first birthday, was a bit different from what I usually write. All my posts so far had been stories that are fiction, either about my family (having been sparked by a media report on the Duchess of Cambridge) or about life as I imagine it at Anmer Hall. However, this one …
We are in the kitchen discussing the Queen’s birthday, which is today. And the other Queen’s birthday, which isn’t. “She has two birthdays, you see,” I say. “The Queen’s actual birthday when she came out of her mummy’s tummy… (I pause briefly to process this) is on 21 April, whereas her ’official’ one is in the summer.” “But MY birthday …
“They’re not visiting the Taj Mahal until next Saturday,“ I say. We are at an Indian restaurant of the same name and I am regaling my mother with interesting facts about the Duke & Duchess’ India tour itinerary whilst we wait for our food to arrive. We’re lucky that it caters for kids. Mini poppadoms, chips, highchairs, colouring books… it’s …
“Easter egg hunt this afternoon,” I say brightly.” Karl looks up from the paper we have bought as a treat because it’s Easter Saturday and we have children but won’t read because it’s Easter Saturday and we have children. “It’s raining, then,” he says. Eva looks out of the window and sighs. She is dressed entirely in pink. “I will …
“I won’t be in the second,” Eva calls. “What?” shouts back Karl from the car. “She means she’ll just be a second,” I say, bundling the bag that is bigger than the one I took travelling for three months into the back. “She’s talking to gravity. Come on Evie, we have to go now.” We are taking Tom swimming for …
“2016 is a leap year,” Karl announces as he fills in the dustbin/recycling schedule in the calendar. I am stringing bits of dried pasta onto a ribbon while Eva watches impassively, blowing on her nails which do not have nail polish on them. “We all know what happens on a leap year, don’t we?” He winks. I have no idea …
