The sound of a zip startles me back to the window. I glance out again through the darkened glass to see Charlie climb out of the tent, but, before I can knock, he heads off in the direction of the toilet block.
April murmurs.
‘Good morning,’ I say sweetly as she turns her head to look at me.
She murmurs something else, not seeming at all bothered to discover she’s in bed with me, rather than in her cot.
‘Do you want a cuddle?’ I ask.
‘Da,’ she replies.
‘Daddy’s just gone to the toilet. He’ll be back soon,’ I say, not sure if she even understands me.
She seems worried.
‘Come here.’ I try not to panic as I slide my hand behind her shoulders and pull her little body towards me. She drapes her arm across my chest and settles there, her head tucked under my arm.
‘You’re such a clever girl, April,’ I say to her. ‘You took three steps yesterday! Such a clever girl.’
She stays quiet, listening to me.
‘Ooh, you’re so warm and cuddly. Do you want me to sing you a song?’
Her head moves. I think she’s nodding.
I snuggle her closer and sing ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’, the Israel Kamakawiwo‘ole version.
After a while, there’s a quiet knock on the campervan door.
‘We’re awake!’ I call.
The door opens with a clunk and Charlie peers into the van.
‘Everything okay?’ he asks, smiling at us both. There’s no apparent awkwardness in his demeanour so I relax in turn. I was worried our embrace might’ve weirded him out.
‘Great. Come in.’
He climbs into the van with two takeaway coffee cups and a paper bag.
‘Oh, was the coffee van there?’ I ask excitedly, sitting up as he places the cups on the counter and closes the door again.
‘Yeah.’ He sits down on the end of the bed. April whinges, so I hold the covers back from her so she can crawl down to him.
‘Hello, baby,’ he says sweetly, cradling her small frame against him.
‘How did you sleep?’ I ask.
‘Bizarrely well, actually. I completely conked out. You?’
I shake my head and smile. ‘I was too worried about rolling onto her.’
He looks mortified. ‘Oh, I’m sorry.’
‘No, I didn’t mind!’ I quickly protest. ‘I liked it. I think her hugs are even better than yours,’ I joke.
He laughs. ‘They’re pretty special,’ he agrees fondly, looking down at the top of her curly blonde head.
‘She’s like a teddy bear.’
