A Pale Horse

It's your brother, son, he has had to go into Hospital.

It wasn't quite the news I wanted to be hearing on a quiet Sunday afternoon. The good lady had taken the little boom out to the shops and it was only me and the little lady pottering about in the house.

I asked my mum a few questions and quickly ascertained that my brother was not in a critical condition but had been sent down for some tests as he had been feeling giddy. I arranged to meet my mum in the hospital asap.

I got off the phone. Although my dear old mum had reassured me that my brother was fine I was still worried. You don't usually get sent to Hospital for nothing.

I noticed the little lady staring at me wide-eyed.

You ok lass?

Her bottom lip trembled.

Daddy, I don't want Uncle C to die!

I raised my eyebrows a tad. For a start, I was barely aware she knew who her Uncle C was having met him rarely and them barely exchanging two words.

Don't worry lass? No-ones dying. He has just been sent down for some tests.

The little lady swayed back and forth like a rubbish palm tree in a tropical storm before collapsing to the floor.

Oh Daddy, I will miss him so much when he dies! Waaaahhahahah

Hot donkey damn, all this talk of death was making me feel a bit wobbly. I tried reassuring her kindly but firmly.

Listen up chicken pie, Uncle C is absolutely fine. Sometimes we have to go to Hospital just for a check-up.

As I said it I felt the stab of fear in my belly that it was something horrible. Please little lady, stop talking about him dying.

The little lady had curled up in a flowery dressed lump.

You ok, little one?

She raised her head up. Her eyes glistening and red.

If he dies I will never forgive myself!!!

Oh my god. This was getting out of hand.

Right you, stop it with the death talk. Nobody is dying.

I hoped I wasn't tweaking the nose of some capricious God.

Do you promise?

Reluctantly like that dude in Team America, I promised that no-one was going to die.

As soon as your mummy comes back I will head off in the car and go and visit him. Then I can come back and let you know how he is.

I'm coming with you Daddy.

No way lass. Under absolutely no circumstances is anyone coming with me.

I walked into the room where my brother lay on a bed with his special grumpy grump face on.

I nodded to him in that manly way that brothers do.

The little lady tore in behind me and threw herself onto the bed.

Please Uncle C, don't die. I couldn't stand it if you died today!!

Eh, who said anything about dying?

Said my brother furrowing his brow and looking at me.

Daddy did!

Yelped the little lady.

I shrugged my shoulders apologetically at my brother and mouthed silently over my daughters dramatically heaving back.

No I fucking didn't??!

_{note - he really is fine, despite my lovely daughter's pronouncements.}