Page 127 of The Bad Mother's Diary

I have to admit it did look bad.

Nick was stark naked.

He must have flung off his clothes at some point in the night.

I shook Nick awake and told him he needed to leave.

God, he reeked of booze. He pulled his underwear on and asked if I’d make him a bacon sandwich.

I told him to sod off.

He checked his watch and said, ‘Actually, no time anyway. Sadie’s going to freak. Can I give Daisy a kiss goodbye?’

He picked up Daisy and gave her big smacking kisses.

Daisy stared at me like, ‘Mummy, who is this mad man?’ Then she started howling and reached out her little arms towards me.

Nick said, ‘She’s probably a bit tetchy. First thing in the morning. Like Daddy, aren’t you? Daddy hates mornings too. Love you Daisy boo.’

Then he left, promising to see us soon.

What on earth was I thinking, letting him sleep in the bed with me? What on earth was I thinking?

I just pray that Alex never finds out.

Sunday November 29th

WHY hasn’t Alex called?

CALL ME, CALL ME!

The Christmas carol bus drove around the village today, full of singing children dressed as elves.

I still get excited by the free lollypops they throw out, and was pleased to catch my favourite flavour – strawberry.

Daisy managed to get hold of two lollypops and refused let go of either, sucking them alternately.

When I tried to prise one out of her hand, she clung on so hard her knuckles turned white.

Mum can never turn down a free lolly either, and Dad likes a carol, so we all watched the bus drive past and joined in singing with the kids.

Dad’s voice goes operatic when he sings, no matter how silly the songs are.

Mum sings every song like a rowdy pub sing-along. She kept forgetting herself and singing the rude-word versions.

Monday November 30th

Once again, today started well and ended terribly.

I worked up the courage to Facebook Alex and thank him for the other night.

He replied, ‘You’re welcome.’

And then, even more courageously, I said, ‘So are we going running tonight then?’

He wrote, ‘Juliette, I don’t want to get in the way of your family. Nicholas Spencer is Daisy’s father.’

I wrote back a long reply saying I honestly wasn’t interested in Nick. And that I’d moved on. And that Daisy and I were better off without him.

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