The Thing with Feathers

You hungry?

No.

I'm okay.

Sure?

I thought you both did really well today.

Up we go.

Come on.

Come on, you can do it.

Put your arms through, please.

Good boy.

Do you want me to carry you up?

Okay, I'm gonna swing you in.

Alright, alright.

It's alright.

Night-night.

You know it's true?

Everything that everyone was saying today about Mummy.

You had an amazing mum, boys.

Let's never forget that, okay?

Night-night, darling.

-Hey, stop it. -Please don't fight.

-Stop it. -I was here first.

Just make this guy go.

Uh, right.

What cereal do you want?

Alright, you can have it this time.

-Rice Krispies? -I want Rice Krispies.

Alright.

Fuck's sake.

Okay. No, I'll do it.

Thanks.

I'll do it, thank you.

-Is that it? -Mm.

Where's the milk?

Where's the milk?

There's, there's no normal milk,

but there's, uh, there's loads of your mum's...

-Got loads of soy milk. -No, it tastes like farts.

I know, but it's... it's all we've got, so...

Aah!

Oh, God.

Hey, don't do that.

You sure you want to go back today?

'Cause you know you don't have to if it feels too soon.

Mm-hmm.

Right, um, jacket, please.

Which is your jacket?

-Uh, this is mine. Um... -Okay. Alright.

Where's my P.E. kit?

-Where is it? -I don't know.

Oh, Christ. We're gonna be late.

Right. Here.

Have a look. Where is it?

Okay. Come on. Good boy. Let's go.

You'll have to wear it dirty. Come on, let's go. Thank you.

It's okay.

You're gonna be alright.

It's good to have you back.

Hey. Don't worry.

We'll look after him.

Alright.

Yes, yes, I'm still here.

Right, okay.

Right.

No, I am not ringing about myself.

I'm ringing...

Yes.

No, I gave that information to the last person I spoke to.

Um, no.

Um, pl... pl... please don't put me on hold.

Well, who is the right fucking person to speak to then?

You don't think? I do.

I think I've got every reason to speak to you like thi...

I'm sorry. We'll call you back.

I can do this.

Bit like Tracey Emin's kitchen in here.

Should get the boys on the washing up.

Do you wanna talk?

Yeah.

Are you getting any sleep?

Do you want me to pick them up from school today?

Uh... Thank you.

You... you... you're good. I just... I need...

I need to do the pick-up.

I need to...

keep things as normal as possible for them.

So, how was it?

Um, good, I guess.

What did you get up to?

David Matthews tried to be my friend,

but... but he used to be my enemy at school.

Um... I just wanted to say how sorry I am

for... for your loss.

Oh, um, thanks. Thanks very much.

How are you coping?

Uh, I can't imagine how you must be feeling.

I mean, we lost Mum last year, so I can a bit.

Bowel cancer.

Oh, I'm very sorry.

But we knew it was coming, though, with Mum.

I can't imagine what yours must have been like with it...

being so sudden.

Um... thank you. I, I...

I just want to say I'm... I'm here if you ever want a coffee,

or if the boys want a playdate?

My two would love that.

Wouldn't you?

Do let me know if you need anything.

I know everyone says that, but I... I mean it.

Come on.

Who was that?

I don't know.

Shit.

Look, Margaret... I'd love to stay on,

it's just...

"Once upon a time there lived a cat,

and a sparrow, and a brave youth.

The cat and the sparrow went to the forest,

chopped wood and said to the brave youth,

'You keep the house, but mind if the Baba Yaga comes

and counts the spoons...'"

-Hmm? -Can you do the voices?

Sure.

Um...

"'You keep the house,

but mind if the Baba Yaga comes and counts the spoons.'

'Don't say a word. Keep quiet.'

'Very well,' said the brave youth.

The cat and the sparrow went away,

and the brave youth sat on the stove behind the chimney,

anxiously awaiting their return.

Suddenly the wind outside howled,

and the Baba Yaga entered through the open window."

Hello, Mate.

Still not picking up.

Look, I just want to say...

Message deleted.

Hey, It's Mia.

Just checking to see how you're doing.

Message deleted.

There he is, Sad-Dad.

Look at you, all wife-gone, all hopeless, all furious.

She's gone, I'm here.

I'll give you something

to think about.

message deleted.

Fucking hell.

Oh, shit.

Oh, fuck.

Darling, can you hear me?

Please, please breathe. Please breathe.

Can you hear me?

Hello?

Uh, ambulance.

Uh, I... I don't know. She's... um...

There... there's blood.

She's on the floor. She's not breathing.

Dad?

There's a feather on my pillow.

Hmm?

There's a feather on my pillow.

Feathers are made of pillows.

Right, right. For Christ's sake, I've got kids up there.

Who is it?

Say hello.

Are you frightened?

Say hello.

Say it properly.

Say hello.

Hello, you.

Miles away.

Yeah, I could see that.

Yeah.

So, um...

How are you... how are you holding up?

You know, good days, bad days.

How are the boys?

They miss their mum.

Yeah.

Yeah, it's got to be, um...

Yeah.

Poor little fellas.

-Which, uh, reminds me... -Hmm?

Ah-ha.

Oh, is that Jeff's latest?

They'll love these.

Well, you know what, I just hope it sells.

Things that bad?

You know, same old, same old.

Well, it won't be long till you're losing money on mine.

Uh... that's actually what I wanted to...

talk to you about, you know.

We don't expect it any time soon.

You know, and if you need more time...

Honestly, it's actually... it's really nice

to have something else to focus on.

Sure?

Well, is it not, you know, a bit much?

I'm... I'm sure.

Okay.