Mummy's Sad

Alvin: Mummy was sad again today

Olive: Was she?

Alvin: Yes, this morning, when she was in her towel and she was crying and daddy had his arm round her

Olive: No, they were laughing, silly

Alvin: No, Olive, she was crying, didn't you see the tears?

Olive: Tears?

Alvin: Yes, mummies and daddies get tears down their face when they cry

Olive: Really? What does that mean?

Alvin: It means they're really sad

Olive: (blank)

Alvin: Imagine, right, if mummy put you in your cage and forgot to let you out for ages and went away and didn't come back ever

Olive: (blank)

Alvin: And never gave you any food

Olive: Ouch, that's sad

Alvin: That's right

Olive: So, daddy didn't give mummy any food?

Alvin: No. Well, yes, daddy always gives mummy lots of food

Olive: Well, then why did she cry?

Alvin: Well, Olive, mummies and daddies cry for all sorts of reasons that have nothing to do with food or playtime. Mummy cries because she wants another little brother or sister for us but can't have one

Olive: Another brother or sister?

Alvin: Yes

Olive: Yippeee!!! Can we have a cat? A big, fluffy grey cat like the one that I met today who was sitting on the car bonnet and who I went over to say hello to and wanted to play with?? Please?

Alvin: No, Olive, not a cat. Mummy wants a Jack.

Olive: Jack? I love Jack. Yippee! His hands taste delicious and they are in just the right place in front of my mouth so I can play with them whenever I like. And when he has food, he always gives me some, and if he doesn't, I just take it cos I know he can't talk and won't tell daddy.

Alvin: (shudders) Oh I hate Jack! He always tries to stand on my head or pick me up by my tail.

Olive: Fun! When can we get one? When?

Alvin: Well, that's the point. Mummy says she's been trying to get one for ages and has been to see special daddies who give you them, but they won't let her have one, and every now and then, she comes to my room upstairs - the room you've started stinking out - and we lie together on the bed and cuddle and she cries into my fur

Olive: Really? That's so sad

Alvin: I know, Poor mummy.

Olive: But why doesn't she lie with me and cuddle me and cry?

Alvin: Cos you'd eat her face!

Olive: True.

Alvin: Anyway, if mummy got a Jack, we'd have to give up our room - I mean, my room - and I'd always be running away from getting my stamped on. Better off it's just the two of us for now.

Olive: Yeah....