Just trying to help

It was Christmas morning.

Everyone was busy getting ready, and exited to open their presents.

But no-one was allowed to until family visitors arrived. 

Everyone had to wait for granny June, auntie Flo and Uncle Geoff arrived.  

I'm sure it seemed like a good idea at the time I’m sure but it certainly didn’t seem that way now.

Dad was outside getting all the tools and toys in the shed, as well as keeping an eye on Joe in his bright red snow suit, making it harder for him to hide or sneak away.

Mum was rushing around the house, cleaning and cooking all at the same time. 

Mary wanted to help and see if she could lessen the load. 

“Is there anything I ca do to help?”

“Yes of course Mary, that would be very helpful.  Could you take this wee tub of soapy water, with a sponge, if you could just wipe down all the surfaces in the sitting room so everything is ready for when our visitors get here,” said mum with a smile as she rushed away to her next task.

Mary got to work wiping down all of the surfaces in the living room.

Time flew by, or at least it felt like it did as the next thing, the door bell rang!  

The visitors were here already!

Mary rushed to put her sponge and soapy tub of water into the kitchen, while mum was clearing away all the kitchen tools.

Dad led the family guests through to the sitting room and the sofa.  

Thankfully mum had already set the table, one less job to do.

Mum and dad made sure everyone was sitting comfortably and took them a drink of their choice. 

Everything was going really well, drinks went down a treat, quickly followed by a beautifully cooked dinner (complete with a starter, a main course and even a desert!)

Now everyone was very full and sleepy, dad gestured to move from the dining table to the sofa to properly relax.

Everyone was sitting comfortably, and waiting for some light entertainment on the TV now they had shared all of their stories with dinner.

Dad found the remote and pressed ‘ON’

The TV made a very odd noise, ZZZZZZ BBBRRRRRRR and then smoke started coming out of the TV.  Mum rushed and unplugged the crazy TV.  

Everyone was in shock, unsure what to do next.

After a second that felt like forever, “Which game would we like to play? Monopoly or connect 4?” asked dad.

Everyone spoke at once, the silence was filled.

It wasn’t until the next day when all of the family had left, mum asked Mary.  “Dd you clean the TV as well as the shelf’s?”

“Of course”, replied Mary unknowingly.

“Was the sponge dry or soapy?” asked mum.

“I made sure it had a good lather of bubbles to pick up all of the dust from the top and the sides”, advised Mary triumphantly.

“Ah I see, that might have been why the TV didn’t work, electricity and water don’t work together.  I was so busy I didn’t think to tell you.  I’m so sorry Mary, I’ll make sure I don’t get so flustered when everyone visit’s." apologised mum.

“Yea, that sounds good.  Everyone enjoyed talking more than the boring TV anyway, I found out lots of new things about auntie Flo and granny, but I wasn’t a fan of the horrid smell the TV was making, how about we find out a bit more about what we can do without a TV for a while?” sugested Mary as she turned and reached for her art box.

©joannehepburn 22/12/2018