Lanaya returned home from her walk slightly sweaty, a little tired and with many thoughts running through her mind. Whatever clarity she was hoping to gain from her morning walk had since been undone.  She quickly took a shower, knocked back a mango smoothie for breakfast then headed off to work. 

During her lunch break, Lanaya saw a message from her mother asking to call her. She wondered what could possibly be important enough that she needed to talk during working hours. Lanaya found a quiet corridor and called her mother. 

Lanaya’s mother answered the call after a couple of rings. 

“Hey sweetie, sorry to bother you whilst at work.”

“No problem mama, what’s up? Did something happen?”

“Oh no no”, Lanaya’s mother replied, “I just wanted to let you know that I left a letter for you in one of the kiddie’s bags. I tucked it in the inside pocket just in case you don’t see it.”

Lanaya paused for a moment. That did not seem important at all but she knows her mother can be a little scatterbrained so did not pay it any mind. 

“Naya, are you still there?”, her mother asked.

“Sorry Mum, I was just thinking. Hmm. Delroy told me he was dropping off the kids. Did something come up with his work?”, Lanaya said wondering what caused the change in the arrangement.

“Oh he didn’t say, but it’s fine honey. You know I love seeing my grandbabies. I told him I’d help but said I am working later so I won’t be picking them up. He said that was okay. Anyway, let me not keep you, as you’re at work. We’ll talk later. Love you. Bye.”

The call ended quickly after her mother said all she needed to say. Lanaya wasn’t mad. She knows her mother can be like a passing whirlwind blowing through stirring things up and then going as quickly as it came; it’s part of her charm. Lanaya put her phone away and went back to her desk. She felt thankful that her mother was so supportive but kept wondering why Delroy did not tell her he was not doing the nursery run anymore. She convinced herself that it did not matter as he did make sure the children were still able to get to nursery.

A few hours passed. Lanaya’s busy workload made the time whiz by. As she typed away at her computer finishing off the last of her reports, she remembered that she had her phone on silent whilst in her last meeting. Three missed calls. Lanaya’s heart jumped. As she stared at her phone ready to return the call, the phone buzzed again. The name ‘Happy Days Nursery’ flashed up on the screen. Lanaya answered the call, anxious that something may have happened to her children.

“H-Hello.”

“Ahh Mrs Williams, it’s Sally Spring here from the nursery.

“Oh, hi Sally, is something wrong?”

“I am just wondering if you would like to extend the time the twins are staying at the nursery today? It is past their usual pick up time. We’d prefer more notice than this, but we can still accommodate.”

Lanaya’s eyebrows furrowed slightly, confused as to what the nursery worker was talking about.

“Sorry?'' Lanaya said, puzzled,  “what do you mean? My husband should have picked them up by now.” 

“We did try to call him as well when we could not reach you but there was no response.”

Alarm bells started ringing in Lanaya’s head. A queasy feeling crept into her stomach as she began to think something had happened to Delroy on his way to the nursery.

“Mrs Williams?” Sally said, trying to regain Lanaya’s attention as she had fallen silent. “We are more than happy to keep the twins here for a bit longer, just bear in mind you will be charged for the extra time.”

Lanaya looked at the time and wondered what she should do. She was not due to finish work yet and still had a lot to catch up on. She would have to tell her manager that a family emergency came up. Although she would prefer not to as her manager is not the most reasonable. Lanaya could imagine the tutting and eye rolling she would receive. Of all the days for her mother to be unavailable; and her father is currently on a business trip so no luck there either. Lanaya’s mind kept ticking over, trying to formulate the best plan, but knew it would most likely be left to her to do the pick up. Lanaya remembered that she did not drive to work today as she decided to take public transport which means it will take a little longer to get to the nursery, unless she calls for a taxi. 

“Sally, can I call you back? Please keep them for me a little longer. I will come and pick them up but it will probably be another half an hour or so I’m afraid. 

“Okay I will let the twins know. They are currently playing with Carol.”

“Oh, is Carol working today?”

 “Yes, as I said, she is currently with the children, but she is due to finish soon. ”

Carol Harper lived across the street from the Williams’s. Lanaya’s first impression of her was that she was a bit snobbish as when they first moved in, Carol barely acknowledged her when she offered a greeting. However, over time Lanaya learnt that Carol is just a sweet older lady who prefers the company of children than adults, so is suspicious of everybody. After finding out she worked at the nursery the twins were attending, Lanaya decided to make a little bit more effort to befriend her neighbour. A few cupcakes and cookies from the twins later, and sweet ol’ Carol became almost part of the family. 

“Ahh, could you ask her to drop the children back for me. That would really help, but I understand if she can’t.”

“That is not how we usually operate. If anything was to happen to the children, we will not be held accountable if you wish to go through with this.”

“Yes yes I understand so can you please ask Carol if she is alright with that. I will take full responsibility if anything were to happen.” 

“Hmmph, alright”, Sally said with a grump and could be heard placing down the handset.

Lanaya could imagine Sally’s face looking rather displeased as she could faintly hear Sally asking Carol in the background. Sally eventually returned to the call and informed Lanaya that Carol would take the twins home. 

“Oh good”, Lanaya said, relieved.

“Please do not make a habit of this Mrs Williams as we are not a taxi service even if Carol is your neighbour. You are fully aware that you will be charged for the additional time? This will be reflected in this month’s invoice.”, Sally continued with the emotions of a cold-caller.

“I am aware, thank you.” Lanaya responded flatly, barely restraining herself from telling Ms Spring to take a chill pill and then some.

“Glad to be of service. Well then, goodbye.”

The call ended, leaving Lanaya exhausted. One issue had been resolved, but still another issue remained; what happened to Delroy? Lanaya checked her call list on her phone. No other missed calls were there besides the nursery and her mother. Lanaya felt anxious and got up from her desk. She paced around staring at her phone, but not wanting to draw attention to herself, went back to the corridor. What should she do now? Should she call somebody, but who? She took a deep breath and tried to calm down but was losing that battle to overthinking and thinking the worst.

Lanaya decided to call Delroy’s number in the hope that she would get through even though the nursery said they could not reach him before. 

The phone rang and rang. With each ring Lanaya felt more anxious.

The ringing stopped. There was a muffled sound on the end of the line followed by a low “Hello?”

Lanaya’s knees felt like they were going to give way as her body relaxed at the sound of her husband’s voice. She did not realise how tense she became during that period of time. 

“Hello? Lanaya? Did she call by accident?” Delroy could be heard asking that over the phone as Lanaya realised she had not said anything since he answered the phone. “Hello? ” Delroy repeated.

“Hey Delroy." Lanaya did not want to jump to conclusions so she asked Delroy what had happened today. "You alright? Did something happen?”

“What do you mean? Nothing’s wrong and nothing’s happened.”

“Okay, well the nursery said they’ve been trying to reach you to pick up the twins.”

There was a slight pause on the line. “Oh shiii…what’s the time?” Delroy asked quickly.

The anxiety and concern that Lanaya had felt gave way to annoyance and irritation. Her body tensed up.

“What’s the time?”, Lanaya snapped, “do you know how late it is and only now you realise the kids are not home. Unbelievable. You are so-”

“Hey!” Delroy shouted, cutting Lanaya off, “if you're just gonna spout crap in my ears, I’m gone. I’m gonna go and get the kids.” 

“Well it's a bit late now" Lanaya responded sarcastically, "I’ve asked Carol to drop them”. 

Delroy sucked his teeth. "So what the hell’s the problem then if it’s sorted? Why are you on my case?”

The little modicum of patience Lanaya had disappeared in an instant.

Lanaya snapped.

“What’s the problem? What’s the problem? Urrgghhh! You’re the friggin’ problem”. 

“Nah, you need to check yourself, woman. Who do you think you are talking to? Pure disrespect”

“Excuse me?” Lanaya was taken aback by the audacity of this man to act as if she was at fault. “Do not try and switch this on me like I was the one who forgot to pick up the kids. What were you even doing that made you forget?”

Lanaya was livid. She was beyond annoyed by the deflection, annoyed by the lack of remorse for forgetting his own kids and annoyed by the fact that this was not the first time something like this had happened. She would usually try to find excuses for his mistakes but that was not going to happen this time. It felt as if a switch had been turned off inside Lanaya’s head that normally kept her cool, calm and collected. Lanaya was at her limit and will probably regret the next words to leave her mouth, but she had no more mental strength left to bridle her tongue. But before Lanaya could utter another word, Delroy cut the line.

“There's someone at the door. I ain’t got time for your mouth. I’m gone.”

The line went dead. Lanaya stared at her phone in disbelief, resisting the urge to throw her phone down the corridor. In one moment he was able to take the wind out of her sails. Feeling deflated and defeated, Lanaya was not in the right mind to continue working. She packed up her desk and headed out the office building hoping that the journey home would calm her down. Unfortunately, what she found out when she returned home was enough to enrage her all over again.