Page 47

Mitch gives me a wry look and helps himself to Weet-Bix. Dad puts down his book.

“Back to the shop today?” he asks.

Mitch nods. “I’m going to clean the flat. Vix is going to continue sorting the books.”

“I want to help,” Millie states.

“No,” I tell her firmly. “You’re going to daycare today.”

“I don’t want to go. I want to help Mitch.”

I exchange a glance with my father. Millie very rarely behaves badly, but it seems as if she’s making an exception today.

“Mitch is going to be too busy to look after you,” I state. “Anyway, you’re making paper flowers today, remember?”

“That sounds fun,” Mitch says, eating his Weet-Bix. “What kind of flowers?”

“I’m going to make a sunflower,” she says. “With big yellow petals. I can show you if you come with me.”

He hesitates, glancing at me.

“No,” I say. “I’m taking you today.”

“I want Mitch to take me.”

“Millie!” I put my hands on my hips and force myself to breathe deeply. “Come here and pack the rest of your lunch box, please.”

“I don’t want to.”

“Then you’ll go hungry.”

“I want Mitch to help me.”

My irritation overflows. “Come here right now and help me, please.”

“No!” Millie throws her spoon, jumps down from her chair, and starts stamping her feet and crying.

From experience, I know that no amount of shouting or demanding she behave is going to defuse the situation. Showing her any attention only makes her worse.

Mitch looks at me, and I roll my eyes and give a little shake of my head. He nods, ignores her, and concentrates on finishing his cereal.

Dad gets up, removes her cereal bowl, and brings it over to the sink. “I’ve got to go,” he says to Vix. “Are you going to be okay?” He knows it’s best to ignore her.

Flustered, I nod, and he kisses my cheek, then goes out, and seconds later I hear the door opening as he heads to school.

Millie lies on the floor and kicks her feet.

Horrified and embarrassed that she’s doing this in front of Mitch, I finish packing her lunchbox and put it in her bag. Mitch gets up and puts his bowl in the dishwasher, then looks at me.

“I’m sorry,” I mouth.

He shakes his head and mouths back, “You want me to go?”

I nod. “I’ll be down to the shop shortly.”

“Okay.” He heads out of the room, and soon I hear him leaving, too.

I finish clearing away the dishes. Millie sits up and looks around. Real tears roll down her cheeks as she realises everyone’s gone.