I heard Mum explain her idea to Charlotte, her favourite nurse, who she always calls Sophie Davant – so that I can visualize her, she says, even though I’ve never heard of Sophie Davant. Charlotte was helpless with laughter too, and Mum has given her an iPad so she can send me videos from Japan, since she’s starting with my first challenge, the one in Tokyo. I say ‘challenge’ because I know that my dreams can easily turn into Mum’s Ultimate Survival ordeal. And that’s what’s so brilliant.

The disappointment of 19 January, that first day when I was conscious but no one came to see me – I can tell you I’m over that. I know now that Mum’s there, and she’s fighting. I know that Grandma’s there too. Oh, and I must tell you about the best bit, which made me laugh my socks off. A few minutes after Mum left, Granny Odette came to see me. She chatted innocently to Charlotte/Sophie Davant, but I could tell she was plotting something. She acted like she was in on Mum’s plans, whereas I knew she hadn’t the faintest idea. Grandma’s crafty. So Charlotte told her everything, in the most natural way, and Grandma took in the information in the most natural way too.

When Charlotte left the room, Grandma came over and whispered that there was no way she was going to let Mum go off on her own to such an unfamiliar, faraway country, that she was sorry to have to leave me for a few days, but she was sure I understood. That of course I mustn’t breathe a word to Mum, but she was going to follow her from a distance. You can trust me, Grandma; I’ll be as silent as the grave. Excuse the pun, but Grandma just kills me. If I’d been my usual self, I’d have had a bellyache from laughing so much all day. I’d love to be a fly on the wall, just to see Mum’s face when Grandma rocks up.

I love my mum to bits, I love my grandma to bits – they’re the best. I can’t wait to hear about their Tokyo trip; they’re really going to kick ass.

10

23 Days

All About My Mother

Unable to sleep because of jet lag and the strange sounds coming from my bedfellow, I lay awake all night, thinking. About my life. About my mother. About us.