janey_clara-plays-cupid-2

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CLARA PLAYS CUPID by Janey

PART 2

“Hey princess!” gushed Nicky picking up his daughter and kissing her cute little nose. “Did you miss me?”
“No,” she giggled precociously. “Uncle Sean and Jan have been playing and keeping me entertained.”
“Where is Uncle Sean now?”
“He went home, Tilly is poorly,” explained Clara looking very upset. “I wanted to see her.”
“When she’s better sweetheart.” Nicky squeezed her then put her back down, noticing that she ran straight back to Janine.

“James didn’t come back with you then?” asked Janine nervously.
“No he wanted to buy some clothes for a date tonight.”
“Another one?”
Nicky laughed. “Different night, different girl! He’s incorrigible, in fact I’m surprised that he hasn’t asked you out.”
Janine blushed. “He has, a long while ago now. I told him that I wasn’t interested.”
“Usually all the girls fall for Jamesy.”
“Well I guess that makes me pretty unique then,” Janine smiled, relaxing a bit.
“Yes, yes it does.”

“I know that I’m to regret asking this but why are tubs of paint and sheets of paper over my conservatory floor?”
“We’re going to do foot and hand printing daddy!” said Clara excitedly.
“You are going to get filthy you mean!” sniggered Nicky, loving the joy and enthusiasm coming from his daughter.
“We have aprons daddy and Jan will hold me to paint with my feet. Are you going to make a picture daddy? I’m going to make a teddy bear picture and give it to Tilly to help her get better.”

“Of course daddy will make a picture with us,” Janine butted in ahead of any excuse from Nicky. “He would hate to miss all the fun wouldn’t you?”
Nicky glared at her but found it impossible to look truly menacing. “I have no idea what to do,” he moaned.
“That’s easy daddy,” piped Clara excitedly. “You can do the kittens playing at Uncle Patrick’s and I can put it in my room and pretend.”

“You are very devious young lady!” said Nicky with a knowing grin. “You’re too young for a kitten.”
“Please daddy.” Clara pleaded to him with her eyes, making his heart melt.
“She’s four Nicky.”
“Four and a half!” insisted a determined Clara.
“Don’t tell me that you think it’s a good idea. They scratch everything and climb the curtains,” he reasoned. “They would wreck the house.”

“No they wouldn’t. I don’t mind helping out when I’m staying here showing Clara how to brush and feed them as well as how to play.”
“What if she gets scratched?”
“It’s not the end of the world! Stop being so over protective.”
“Please daddy, I’ll take good care of them. I won’t keep picking them up when they want to sleep or anything. I’ll be kind to them and teach them how to be good.” Clara smiled hopefully, holding Nicky’s hand.

“THEY? How many are we talking here?”
“Two,” Clara said swiftly, “then they have each other for company.”
“They’ll need to go to the animal doctor for regular tablets and things Clara, it’s hard work taking care of kittens. They are not always cute little bundles of fluff; I don’t want you getting bored.”
“I won’t daddy. Janine has told me about how hard it is but we would give them a good home and love them. Some of them don’t have a mummy or daddy to take care of them so we could have them and love them.”

“You want them from the animal shelter?”
“Yes!” Clara jumped up and down excitedly. “Can we go now daddy? Can we?”
“We’ll paint first and then go when you have got cleaned up young lady. You’ve waited this long another hour won’t hurt.”
“I love you daddy!” She gave him a huge hug and kissed his cheek, then skipped off to start her teddy picture.

“There, that wasn’t so hard was it?” whispered Janine to Nicky as they watched Clara who was singing to herself.
“Are you always going to gang up on me with my daughter?”
“Only if I think that she’s right,” she smiled making Nicky feel all warm inside. “When we go to the animal shelter you can ask her about what care they need and what she has to do to feed them when they’re so tiny. She is very bright Nicky and she has so much love to give.”

“And you’ll help her?”
“Yes but she’ll do much of it under supervision. I’ve told her there’ll be rules about where they eat, have the litter tray, where they sleep and she’s fine with it all.”
“She is?”
“Well obviously there will be discussion about some things.”
“Such as?”
Janine winked at him. “That’s for you and your daughter to discuss.” To annoy him she touched the tip of his nose with the tip of her right first finger. “Time for me to join your daughter in getting dirty!”

Clara fell in love with each cat and kitten at the shelter and she took a long time making up her mind, eventually choosing a pair of six-week-old male kittens that were brothers. It was however against Nicky’s advice; both kittens were black and white and he was convinced that she would get them muddled up.
“No daddy, Tom has a white tip on an ear look, and Jerry has a white bit on his nose. It’s easy.”

The lady that looked after them at the shelter explained that they always visited the people who want to adopt animals to make sure that they are suitable. Providing the visit went ok Clara could collect the kittens in a little over a week and take them home.

“They’ll love being with us because we love them already!” Clara beamed brightly.
What cheered Clara up more was being told that once it had been decided that they could have the kittens, she would be able to see them as often as she wanted until they were ready to go home with them.
“Why can’t we take them straightaway?” she asked the lady, whom then explained that they preferred for the kittens to be eight weeks old before they are adopted.

Janine bathed Clara and put her to bed, reading her a bedtime story to help her settle. Clara was asleep before Janine reached the end.
“I opened a bottle of wine and poured you a glass,” said Nicky when Janine joined him on the sofa.
“Oh thanks, that’s just what I need,” smiled Janine taking a sip. “Clara asked if I’d be here on Tuesday when they come from the shelter. I said I’d ask you.”
“I’d really appreciate it if you could,” said Nicky. “You’ve handled it all so well.”
“I’d love to, if you’re certain that you don’t mind.”

“A little moral support wouldn’t go amiss and as you are my daughter’s new best friend,” he laughed, “I think it’s only fair.”
“I’ll be here then. I really ought to do some work but I can’t be bothered.”
“Are you sure that I won’t get into trouble from Martin for distracting you?”
“None of it’s urgent. I like to keep ahead whenever possible, makes the job easier.”

“Clara surprised me, I thought she would ask lots more questions about why you are here.”
“Give her time and she no doubt will. You must be so proud of her Nick, she’s a gorgeous little girl and so well mannered and behaved.”
“Yeah I’m lucky. She’s so happy and she has me wrapped around her little finger.”
“Most little girls learn that at a young age.”
Nicky sniggered. “Too true! She does it with James, Sean and Martin, oh and when Uncle Patrick comes to visit, well, she loves him.”

Janine woke to find someone tapping on her shoulder. “Clara, what is it honey?”
“I woke up and wanted a cuddle from you and daddy but you’re not with daddy.”
Janine decided not to say anything in response to that. “Shall I come and give you a cuddle in your room until you go back to sleep?”
“No I want to cuddle you and daddy. I’ll go and wake him!”
Excitedly she skipped off before Janine could say anything. All she could do now was hope that Nicky would get Clara to go back to bed.

“Jan honey are you decent?” asked Nicky from outside the bedroom. Clara had already ran in and climbed into bed with her.
“Erm yeah.” Janine pulled the duvet right up, all too aware that she was naked underneath.
“A ten minute cuddle and I’ll go back to bed,” Clara grinned mischievously.
“Clara, back to bed,” said Nicky striding into the room wearing only a pair of Yves Saint Laurent boxers. “Be a good girl and come in with me for a cuddle.”

“No daddy,” said Clara determinedly. “I want to cuddle both of you. Come on!”
“I suppose it would be ok for a few minutes,” suggested Janine. “If you are comfortable with that. Could you turn round so that I can put something on?”
“No,” said Clara pulling back the duvet. “Come on daddy.”
“Let Janine put some clothes on,” insisted Nicky.
“But why daddy? You don’t wear clothes in bed and Jan doesn’t so why put clothes on for a cuddle?”
“Because it’s polite.”
Janine rolled her eyes; in the innocent eyes of a child things were so simple. “Climb in Nicky, it’s ok.”
“Yes! Come on daddy, cuddle time.”

Hesitantly Nicky got in; his daughter sandwiched in the middle, both of them cuddling her.
“Why aren’t you cuddling each other?” Clara wanted to know.
“Because we’re cuddling you madam!” sniggered Janine rubbing her nose against Clara’s.

Janine stretched out, feeling a warm body beside her, it was Nicky. Clara wasn’t there, she must have snuck out whilst both Janine and Nicky were asleep. Nicky sighed then moved his arm over her, moaning when he touched her. She whimpered and watched his eyelids flickering, wondering what he was dreaming about.

“Oh morning. I erm, I must have fallen asleep. What time is it?”
Janine stared at the clock. “Six-fifty, Clara must still be asleep.”
“That’s a rare event,” he smiled, then yawned. “Excuse me.”
“You’re allowed; you just woke up.”

How bizarre were they behaving? They had spent the night in the same bed yet were acting like it was the most natural thing in the world, the uncertainty and embarrassment gone.

“Hang on, you have a hair right on the edge of your mouth. Let me get rid of it for you.”
Nicky stayed perfectly still, watching her intently, her fingers getting nearer to his face. Then she touched him, stroking the stray hair away, making him twitch and sigh.
“How come you look so beautiful at this ridiculous hour of the morning?” Nicky smiled warmly.
Janine blushed. “You don’t have to be so polite.”

“Who’s being polite?” he said softly. “I woke a while back and I was cuddling you; it felt good.” He snaked an arm around her, she didn’t protest. “I see you like it too.”
“Mmm.”
“Morning daddy! Morning Janine!”
Nicky shook his head and smiled; his daughter had impeccable timing.

Martin hadn’t been too impressed when Janine told him she would be in till late on Tuesday but as soon as she explained why, he told her to take as long as necessary.

Nicky was far more nervous than Clara was and it was with a great deal of reluctance that she eventually went to nursery, demanding assurances that they would tell her what happened when she went home at lunchtime.

It was fortunate that Janine was there, Nicky was so nervous that he could hardly speak and thankfully, she knew what she was talking about. An hour later and they were both relieved to know that they had passed the home inspection.

“Why don’t we go shopping before we go to collect Clara?” said Janine merrily.
“Shopping?”
“Hmm, we can get some stuff for Tom and Jerry and keep it in the boot. When Clara leaves nursery I’ll tell her to put her bag in the boot and she’ll see it all. She’ll be made up.”
“You’re not short of good ideas are you?” Nicky grinned, kissing her on the cheek.

Neither of them had spoken about Saturday night/ Sunday morning at all. Clara had seemed confused when she woke up on Monday morning to find them both in their respective beds, but she hadn’t said anything either.

By the time Nicky had finished the boot of the car was practically full, despite Janine telling him that he didn’t need to go mad and buy so much. Janine had lots of with him, he was so easy to be with and talk to. It was a shame that there would never be a repeat of Saturday night. Janine was thankful that it hadn’t affected their relationship.

Clara whooped in delight at seeing all the paraphernalia that Nicky had purchased and began pestering to be taken to see Tom and Jerry.

“Jan has to go back to work darling. It was good of Martin to let her be with us this morning. Perhaps if you ask her nicely she’ll take you later?”
“Let me call Martin and see what he says. I doubt he expected me to be gone all day but I can try.”
“Let me ask him,” said Clara, so Janine gave her the mobile. “Martin, Jan is taking me to see Tom and Jerry my kittens so that they know that I love them. That’s good isn’t it? I don’t want them to think that I don’t want them and they will if I don’t go and you know that daddy doesn’t drive so Janine has to take us or I won’t see them.”

“Ok, ok!” Martin laughed, loving how Clara was so excited. “Janine is yours for the rest of the day darling.”
“Thank you Martin. I’ll tell Tom and Jerry how nice you are.”
Nicky and Janine both grinned stupidly; Clara truly knew how to twist men around her little finger.

“Daddy is Janine staying tonight?”
“No sweetheart, she isn’t.”
“Why not? Don’t you want to stay Janine?”
“I can’t Clara, I need to go home.”
“Why?”
“Clara! Stop with all the questions. Janine will stay some other time but not tonight.”
“Won’t you be sad if she goes home daddy? I thought that you loved her like I do.”

“I’ll miss you as well gorgeous but like daddy said, I’ll stay over another time.”
“Promise?”
“Yes darling, I promise.”
“When?”
“Clara will you stop being so pushy?” Nicky begrudgingly admired his daughter’s forthrightness. “If you keep being such a pest Jan won’t want to stay with us ever again.”
“Yes she will,” chirped Clara merrily. “She loves us.”
“Less chat young lady,” smiled Janine. “Get into the car so I can put your seat belt on.”
Clara lifted her arms up for Janine to put her in the back, giggling cheekily. She was more than capable of getting in on her own but she wanted to be picked up.

“This seat is a nicer one than the one Uncle Sean has daddy,” Clara mentioned when she was safely strapped in.
“You really can do no wrong can you?” Nicky muttered to Janine before walking to the passenger side. “Right down to buying a car seat for her.”
Janine smiled and stuck out her tongue. “She’s worth the best.”

Later that night Janine decided to ring Nicky to find out if Clara was asleep or if the excitement of getting two kittens was keeping her awake.
“She took an eternity to settle tonight, I tell you. Between you and those kittens I’ve never known her so animated.”
“She’s pleased that I talked with you about it that’s all.”
“Oh no it isn’t. Madam keeps pestering me about when you are staying over again because she loves you. I’m beginning to feel neglected here,” Nicky giggled down the phone. “Oh and there’s another thing, I’m warning you here so that you can make suitable excuses, she wants us to cuddle her again.”

Janine tittered. “Does she now? I’m sure that we can come to some sort of arrangement like cuddling her on the sofa before she goes up.”
“We can try and placate her though personally I thought it was rather nice as well.”
Janine closed her eyes, a liquid warmth surging through her, making her wish she could hold him right then.

“So when can I tell my inquisitive daughter you’ll be coming to stay? The weekend again perhaps?”
“I can’t, I’m working this weekend, away as it goes so it will have to be one night next week I’m taking her to see Tom and Jerry almost everyday so she’ll still see me.”
“You know that that is not going to be satisfactory, that you can’t stay over sooner, that is.”
“I’ll talk to her tomorrow when I take her.”
“I was talking about for me. It was good to have adult conversation and to share a bottle of wine. It’s been a long time since I’ve done that.”

“You can always call me for a chat. I can type and talk at the same time.”
“Is there no end to your talents?” he giggled. “Seriously, I enjoyed it, thanks.”
“Shouldn’t it be me thanking you for inviting me to your home?”
He chuckled. “Let me know when you collect Clara tomorrow when you can stay over. Preferably sooner rather than later.”
“Some time next week possibly, I’ll check my diary. Night Nick, I’ll see you tomorrow afternoon.”

Janine arranged with Martin to take a couple of hours each afternoon off and to start work earlier and do extra at home so that she could take Nicky and Clara to see the kittens. She loved watching Clara interact with them; she was so gentle and loving.

When Janine drove to Manchester on the Friday night she knew that she was going to miss spending time with Clara and Nicky, they had all become good friends.

On the Sunday evening she called Nicky. “There’s been a change of plans Nick, I have to stay over for most of tomorrow as well so I won’t be able to take Clara to see Tom and Jerry. I hate disappointing her but I’m afraid it’s unavoidable.”
“What time do you think you’ll be back?”
“Probably late, after Clara has gone to bed.”
“Thanks for letting me know. She’ll be upset but I’ll talk to her. Perhaps I can twist Martin’s arm and get him to take us or we could get a taxi.”

“I feel bad for letting her down but I’ll definitely be available Thursday when she can take them home.”
“Hey, you’ve done more than enough so don’t stress about it. How’s work going?”
“It’s not that great to be honest and I’ll be glad to get home.”
“You sound tired.”
“Shattered! At least I have next Friday to look forward to.”
“You’re definitely coming then? I haven’t said anything to Clara yet.”
“Martin wouldn’t dare make me work next weekend, not after this bloody fiasco.” She started to cry.

“Oh love what’s wrong? Please don’t cry.”
“I fucking hate bigots, excuse the language. Because I’m a woman they’re not listening to me. They want Martin to verify everything I’m suggesting. Would you believe they actually called him to complain that he sent a minion to do the job rather than having the decency to do it personally? Apparently he was quite abrupt with them saying that I was a valued and senior member of his team who was more than capable of acting in his best interests and with his wishes. That’s one reason why it’s taking so bloody long; they’re arguing each and every fucking point.”

All Nicky wanted to do was put his arms around her to comfort her; he hurt like hell because he couldn’t. “Look if you’re not too tired why don’t you call round tomorrow night? I can ask my parents to have Clara for the night. You can stay here and we can have a really good chat, or if you want, I could go to yours.”
“Clara would never forgive me.”
“She doesn’t need to know and it sounds like you need a friend right now.”
“Thanks for the offer but I’ll probably just want to crash when I get in.”
“Promise me you’ll call me if you need to talk Jan. Please?”
“I will Nicky. Thanks, you’ve helped by listening to me.”
“It’s my pleasure. Are you going to be ok?”
“Yeah, I’m going to have a bath, watch some junk on the box; that should send me to sleep.”
“Ok honey. You take care.”

Janine called Nicky a little before 7pm on the Monday to tell him that she was about to leave.
“Call me when you get home so I know that you arrived safely ok?”
So she did and an hour later they were still on the phone. It was Nicky who reluctantly drew the conversation to a close.

“Hey,” chirped Janine when Nicky answered the phone. “Martin has given me tomorrow off so how about when I finish here and pop round to yours and surprise Clara? I’ve got to come back here after I take the kittens’ to yours but what do you think? I could bring something to eat with me.”
“You coming for a few hours or stopping over?”
She giggled. “Can you cope with me for an extra night?”
“Course we can!” he laughed back. “Clara will be thrilled. She is so excited about this afternoon already. If you come round it will be the icing on the cake for her. Oops better be quiet, she’s coming.”
“If it’s too much of an imposition say so.”
“Will you stop it woman! You are more than welcome and you know that you are.”

“Daddy,” said Clara while having her breakfast, “I think that we should buy Janine a present don’t you? She’s been so kind to us and she has taken me to see Tom and Jerry a lot, and she’s helping us pick them up today. Shall we get her something nice?”
Nicky smiled and ruffled his daughter’s hair. “I think that’s a wonderful idea Clara. What about some nice chocolates?”
Clara beamed back at him. “That will be nice daddy. We can buy some when I come home.”

“Ok Clara, are you going to carry the basket in and welcome Tom and Jerry to their new home? I’m sure that daddy will help you.” Janine smiled, putting the basket on the floor and locking the car.
“I can do it,” Clara said merrily. “They’re not heavy because they’re only babies.”
Janine and Nicky smiled, watching as Clara took them to the utility room. She put the basket on the floor and opened, it wasn’t long before Tom was exploring and he made Clara squeal with delight when he climbed into the litter tray and used it.

“See, I told you they’d be good daddy!” she gushed proudly. “Jerry will be too, he isn’t as brave as Tom though.”
“He’ll explore when he’s ready,” smiled Janine. “Why don’t you put a bit of kitten food out for them? That may tempt Jerry to come out.”

Initially Clara put half a sachet of food out and some kitten biscuits moistened with a little water. Both kittens began eating as Clara went to the lounge with Nicky and Janine to give them some peace and privacy.

“Ooh daddy look! They’ve come to say hello.” Clara watched enthralled as the kittens sniffed inquisitively at the furniture and then charged around like lunatics for a few minutes. “They’ll probably want to sleep soon won’t they Janine? Kittens sleep a lot. I hope they like their beds.”
“They may both curl up in one bed,” suggested Janine.
“Oh that would be so cute!”

Janine stayed for a short while. When she said that she had to go Clara rushed off, then came back with a gift-wrapped package. When she gave it to Janine she gave her a big hug and a kiss.
“Thank you for being so good to me, Tom and Jerry, Janine.”
“Oh sweetie, thank you.” Janine was genuinely touched and hugged Clara back warmly. “I love these!”
“It was Clara’s idea. She thought that you deserved it and I agree with her; thank you.”

Clara stayed with the kittens when Nicky said goodbye to Janine.
“What time are you coming back?” he whispered, not wanting Clara to hear.
“I should get off about six-thirty. I need to collect some things from home so I should be here for about seven-fifteen to seven-thirty; depends on the queue at the pizza shop.”
“Don’t bother with that, I’ll cook and we’ll have pizza tomorrow,” he smiled. “I’m not a bad cook although my repertoire is a little limited.”

“I know, I’ve sampled your culinary delights already remember?” she giggled. “I’ll call you when I’m leaving.”
“Look forward to it.” Nicky grinned and then embraced her, kissing her on her cheek. “Thanks again Janine, for everything. You’re becoming quite indispensable.”
“Oh shush,” she said blushing, continuing to hold him. “I’d better go before Martin thinks I’ve done a bunk.”
Reluctantly Nicky withdrew from the embrace. He hated seeing her leave despite knowing that she would be returning in a few hours.

part 3 >>>

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