Despite her very late night, Emily was bright as a button from 7am, though Nick and I certainly weren't. I left Emily with Fi and drove Nick to Heathrow. Once checked in we had half an hour to share a coffee together before I had to leave to take the hire car back. It felt very strange to be at an airport and not going somewhere and I felt a strong urge to be going back to Tokyo with him. There were a few Japanese checking in, and seeing them made me feel oddly homesick. I even wanted to go up to them and say something in Japanese. Nick and I were both able to stay emotionally detached so there weren't any tears, though there are deep undercurrents below the surface for us both, I think. It was weird sitting in Pret a Manger holding hands like a courting couple! At the end of the day, we have been apart for a month or so before, though I know I will feel the separation on my own every night and at weekends when we normally share the care. I don't know whether I am lucky, but I am equipped with a strong set of what I call 'emotional shutters', which protect me from possible upset.
I only just made it to the car hire base before they closed for the weekend. Back at Fi's, she put out some new sand so the girls immediately stripped off to play in it.
After lunch we left Dan mowing with his new toy
and went to Dinton Pastures, which had a good play area and lakes with a large fowl population.
An Alsation puppy came bounding over to the girls and Emily got very upset, though I think he just wanted to play. She has probably been scarred for life where dogs are concerned.
Fi had decided on a BBQ for tea, and Emily was overhungry by the time it was ready, so inclined to bad behaviour, but eventually I managed to get a sensible amount down her. I barely managed a sausage and a few bits of salad before I admitted defeat. I don't suppose this new asceticism will last but it feels good to 'just say no'!
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