The lady gave him his first bottle this morning (7ish) before whisking off to work, which in turn allowed me to ease into the day as in lockstep with the first bottle comes another nap, the last certain nap of the day, and the perfect time to get a few things done already, a grocery list perhaps, the perfect time for anticipation as well, which as all experienced parents know is the key to good parenting. Failing to prepare is preparing to fail. Coach Wooden would have approved of me.

A beautiful spring day it was, full bloom daffodils in the lawn in front of the village church like so many stars in a milky way, and when Bodhi woke, I took him for a short walk, merely for fun – let it be clear I walked him many a times because I had to. We walked, getting ready for his daily mash, cauliflower, potato, a dollop of olive oil, which went down well, a sigh of relief, a mash gone down well usually means smooth sailing for the rest of the day.

I met up again with the lady at noon, the three of us, hidden somewhere at the back of a small mom and pop restaurant close to where she works, I won’t divulge the address here. Rarely do I savor the warmth of a small close-knit family unit more than when we sneak off for lunch, at least once a week, and sidestep society’s business for a wasted hour, splendid isolation, le plus beau temps c’est le temps perdu.

He slept long when my boy and me got home, and woke up ablaze with anger, the unexpected tantrum, which I only succeeded in dispelling by manning up for yet another walk and delaying his next bottle with half an hour. In the meantime word had come from the post office, confirming the arrival of his (second-hand) first ski suit (we’re off to Morzine in February), which I subsequently collected and brought home unopened, as I happily defer this small pleasure to someone who cherishes it more than I do.

I then showered, shaved, cut a pineapple, watched some television (all while keeping him cool), eagerly listening for a sound, the sound of a car driving up our lot, the sound of a key turning, the sound that signifies changing of the guards for me, treats for the cats, the arrival of primary care giver-1 for Bodhi (and another bottle), the sound of the lady getting home. All is well.