DAWN WILL RISE 

By Tessa Harvey

    David was nearly five and a half now and just starting Kinder. He came home with Jan, but would not say a word to her. Jan had two children of her own and chatted a little about nothing in particular, giving him space.
    She dropped him off, waited for Ella to appear, then waved, driving away smiling to collect her own young ones.
    David came in, stomping like the twins. She rolled her eyes, trying not to smile. "Where have you put my dad?" His face was scrunched up like a baby bulldog. His mother kneeled and on impulse held out her arms. The little boy sobbed and sobbed. Simon who had been playing happily cried also.
    Ella hugged the boys, thinking nasty things about the errant adult.
    Happily, the dynamic twin duo had only just gone for a nap.
    "Let's have some cheese and crackers and juice and a talk.
    Fifteen minutes later, only a few crackers were left. Ella drained her tea, tired, but ready to chat. "He wasn't a very nice daddy sometimes," David whispered.
Where's daddy?" added Simon. "Help," thought Ella.

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