A Nappy in Time

It makes sense now.

You and Moustache Girl are fighting on top of the bed. Moustache Girl is punching your umbrella away (that mum taped a sponge to the end of for safety) as you try to strike her down and reclaim your time pieces. It takes a little bit for Bow Kid to get into the swing of it, but soon she is throwing pillows at Moustache Girl.

“I got you!” you declare as your umbrella makes contact with her arm.

“Nuh ah!” she says back. “I’ve got more health than that.”

You weren’t really keeping track of that, but you’re having too much fun to care right now as you bounce on your bed.

“Hat!” Bow Kid cries just as you turn to see the pillow sailing your way.

You react instinctively, swatting the pillow before it its you, and then it sails through the air towards the now open door, hitting mum in the face.

Bow Kid looks horrified.

“I’m sorry!” she quickly cries.

You start giggling as mum smiles, the pillow having done the invincible mum no harm.

“It’s fine, sweetie,” says mum.

Bow Kid still looks worried, so you jump off the bed and walk over to her.

“No harm,” you tell her, your shoulder touching hers.

The comfort you offer gets a small, slightly nervous smile in return.

“It’s fine, really,” mum ads. “As long as you’re throwing pillows in here where nothing can get broken.”

You give mum a small, embarrassed smile as you decide you’ll tell Bow Kid that story later.

“So, I know you’ve been having fun, but I think you three should get into your pyjamas for bed.”

“Aww,” you say.

Mum giggles.

“You can stay up,” she replies, “but I would like you to get into your PJs.”

“We’re going stay up all night,” Moustache Girl declares.

You nod in agreement.

“Suure,” mum says like she doesn’t believe you will.

You look to Bow Kid for further agreement but she’s staring at your mum nervously. Mum looks back.

“Sweetie, you want to call mum now?”

Bow Kid nods stiffly and heads out of the room, mum following her. You stare curiously, your head titled as she does. As mum gives you a smile and closes the door, you snap out of it and get changed into your PJs, Moustache Girl doing the same. Both of you get your cloaks and capes back on once you’re done.

It’s not long before Bow Kid comes back into your room, closing the door behind her. She has a faint blush on her cheeks and is standing there awkwardly. You give her a wide smile, patting the spot next to you on the bed. Glancing at Moustache Girl, she’s not paying attention as with a slight stiffness to her movements, Bow Kid sits next to you.

Her jammies are super cute, being a one-piece, lime green jumpsuit with a hood. The hood has cat ears and is super adorable. All you’ve got are black trackies and an oversized purple t-shirt the same colour as your hat. You like the t-shirt, but the animal eared jumpsuit is really cool.

“I like your jammies,” you gush. “It’s really cute.”

Blushing more firmly, Bow Kid looks at you in surprise.

“Thanks,” she says quietly.

You take her hand as you bump shoulders with her.

You survey your handiwork with a satisfied smile.

“Does it look okay?” she asked slightly timidly.

She was adorable.

“Yep!” you reply with a firm nod. “It’s perfect . I dub thee Bow Kid!” You raise your hands over your head enthusiastically.

The title got a small smile out of the newly christened Bow Kid . Turning towards your other sleepover buddy, seeing her doing up her red cloak (made from an old bedsheet) with her gold star pin reminded you of the other descriptive name. You slide off the bed towards your shelf and look through your art box for a marker.

“Your moustache, Moustache Girl,” you pronounce, holding the marker out for her.

Moustache Girl shook her head.

“Nope, I’ve got a moustache with real hair and everything now.”

You blink back in confusion as she slips off the bed as well and goes to her backpack. It’s the same backpack she carries at school. She come back with a little thing of blond hair.

“Mummy didn’t like it that I used a marker last time, but she let me save some hair when I got a hair cut and helped me stick it to a sticky bit.” She held it out for you and Bow Kid to see more closely. It looked just as flamboyant as the moustache you had drawn on Moustache Girl’s face last sleepover.

“Cool,” you reply. It was well made and looked really cool.

“Ah!” you exclaim, remembering your own attire.

Going to your wardrobe where your several hats were stored, you reach for your special hat, a big purple top hat with a yellow stripe. Then you grab your yellow cape and put that on as well (because heroes wear capes). Done, you sit cross legged on your bed facing Bow Kid and Moustache Girl. You share a look with Bow Kid; Moustache Girl’s moustache is ridiculous — which is cool, but also funny.

“So — um — Hat Kid , how do we play?” Bow Kid asks.

“My ship has a huge pile of pillows in it,” you explain as Bow Kid helps you gather up every pillow you can in the house.

Your mum gives you a slightly exacerbated roll of her eyes and a fond smile as you pilfer every pillow from the lounge room.

“Don’t take the pillows from my bed,” she reminds you.

“Okay, Hat Kid’s mummy,” Bow Kid says.

Mum’s smile widens at Bow Kid’s words.

There are so many pillows it takes you and Bow Kid two trips to gather up all the ones in the lounge room. When you get back to your room you find Moustache Girl isn’t there, so you drop to your knees and reach under your bed as Bow Kid watches curiously. You pull out a cardboard box, your safe.

“Take a look at this,” you say. Bow Kid leans in slower to inspect your show box. “See, it’s got a lock on it.” You point at the spinny safe dial thing and the handle drawn on it.

“Wow,” she replies, a look of anticipation on her face. “What’s in it?”

You’re glad to have found another friend that likes playing dress up and having adventures.

“This is where we keep our time pieces,” you explain. “It makes the ship move.”

Bow Kid nods along enthusiastically.

“So those are important then?”

“Yep!” you reply. “We’ve got to keep them safe.”

You don’t hint at the story you and Moustache Girl have mostly worked out from last time because it will be fun for Bow Kid to get to act it out as well. You open the box to let Bow Kid see all the sand timers you drew on cardboard and cut out.

“I’ve got pillows!” announces Moustache Girl from the doorway.

You fumble with the box as you try to hide it from her, but with a glance you can see she isn’t paying attention, carrying the stack of pillows over and dropping them on the huge pile. So, you quickly hide it back under the bed as Bow Kid gives you a curious look. It will make sense soon.

You mind seemed to be playing tricks on you. You swore for a moment that Bow Kid’s PJs had a tail, but now the both of you lay on your bed on your stomachs, your legs swinging in the air, it was really obvious she didn’t have a tail. Still, ten minutes later you looked again and yep, still no tail. Just the bottom of her PJ’s zipper.

Your eyes moved onto other things for just a second before coming back to Bow Kid’s bottom. You weren’t supposed to stare at bottoms, but something caught your eye: her bum was sorta flat-like and now you were looking closely you could make out a faint outline of a…

You looked away, your cheeks beginning to feel warm. You glance at Bow Kid’s face next and find she’s still animating your chef plush doll (who is also a mafia strongman) through the most recent scene concocted, none the wiser. Your eyes turn back to her bottom.

As her legs swing in the air, the movement of her jammies causes the outline of a nappy to get more and less distinct. Bow Kid is in a nappy? Maybe?

You’re not sure what to think about this as your eyes break off from the sight again. Moustache Girl is still awake… barely, having exhausted herself enacting her fifth fight (after the first, she had fought both you and Bow Kid two times each), she looked ready to fall asleep, so your adventure had turned less from paly fighting to pantomiming some of the characters as the three of you did the voices.

Still, the thought of the nappy reminds you of your own need.

“Going to the loo,” you say as you slip off the bed.

Bow Kid strangely averts her eyes as Moustache Girl gives you a tired glance.

“’Kay,” Moustache Girl says.

As you sit on the loo doing your business, your mind wanders until you start thinking what it would be like to wear nappies again. How different would it be from sitting on the toilet like you were now? Would it be wet and warm? Would that be nasty? … or could it be nice?

Then your mind turns back to Bow Kid and wonder why she’s in nappies. You’re pretty sure she wasn’t wearing them until she was in her jammies, so maybe she had trouble at night? You don’t remember bedwetting; it wasn’t long ago, but you still didn’t remember it.

It occurs to you then that your mum probably knows and you begin to doubt there was a phone call given Bow Kid came back in her jammies. It suddenly makes sense why she was stiff and so worried; she’s scared.

Having finish your business and washed your hands, you go past the kitchen and get a cup of water. Done, you go through the lounge room, coming to a halt when you see Bow Kid’s backpack on the couch. She hadn’t brought it into your room like Moustache Girl had with hers and a curiosity begins to build. Walking over, you find the top hasn’t been done up properly and peer in.

In between some clothes stuffed into the backpack, you spot the clear white and pastel coloured, plastic folded nappy in her bag. You suddenly feel guilty for nosing about in your friend’s bag. As you head back to your room you vow to yourself to be supportive of your friend, to make her feel happy and safe.

It’s now the holidays, but despite that fact, another sleepover seems elusive. It seems that in between family holidays, family get togethers and bad timings, another sleep over does not happen in the first week, or even the second week. You catch up with both Bow Kid and Moustache Girl during the day several times, but no sleepovers.

It’s late in the day and you were a bit tired from following mum around as she did groceries and then some other shopping, when you perk up from the loungeroom floor to listen in.

“On no,” you heard your mum say into her phone. “Sure, that won’t be a problem — uh huh — yeah. Okay, I will see you soon.” Mum hangs up.

You keep working on the hat you’re making. It’s a witch’s hat; tall with a buckle on it (why do they have a buckle though?). You were glad you had learnt, because sewing was a great skill for putting together costumes for all of your adventures.

“Auntie is in the hospital,” she replies sadly. “Mummy’s got to go and help out. She’s got to fly there.”

“Oh,” you reply, not sure what to say. It wasn’t something you have ever thought about, or wanted too, really.

“Don’t worry, it’s not really bad,” Bow Kid’s mum says, spotting your worry. “I’ve just got to pick my sister up from the hospital and help her for a few days until her partner is able to get back from overseas.”

Well, that doesn’t sound too bad. Maybe it was like a broken bone?

Bow Kid’s mum pulls out her phone and checks the time. She makes an unhappy sound.

“Sorry, I’ve got to get going or I’ll miss my flight.” She crouches down to your level and hugs her daughter. “Now, be good, okay?”

“I will!” Bow Kid replies.

Her mum smiles before planting a big kiss on her cheek.

“Bye,” you say as she quickly walks to her car.

“Bye, mummy,” Bow Kid adds.

Bow Kid’s mum opens her door and is about to hop in her car when she freezes and then quickly goes around to the other side, opening the back passenger door.

“You’ll need this too,” she says, doing something.

You’re not sure what until her mum pulls out Bow Kid’s car seat.

“You know what they say,” she says, jogging over with it, “the seat goes with the child.”

Your mum meets Bow Kid’s mum halfway, taking the car seat from her.

“Yes, we don’t want to forget that,” your mum says mirthfully.

“Thanks a lot again for doing this,” Bow Kid’s mum says over her shoulder as she gets into the driver’s seat for real this time.

You and Bow Kid wave as she drives away.

“You had anything to eat, sweetie?” your mum asks Bow Kid.

“Some,” she replies unsurely.

Mum gives Bow Kid kind but questioning look.

“So what have you had?”

“Um,” she replies. “Some toast… at breakfast. Mum was… busy today.”

Mum gives her a sad smile.

“You’re a growing girl, I certainly don’t mind feeding you. Why don’t you put your things away and I’ll make you a snack before dinner?”

You lead Bow Kid to your room where she sets her bag down. You wonder if she’s got enough for a few days; the bag isn’t huge. If not, she can always borrow your stuff. Still, you’re curious.

“You fit everything in there?”

“Well, yeah,” she replies before suddenly looking unsure. Bow Kid cautiously unzips her bag and her face falls. “I — uh — I forgot my you know .” She looks up at you, an uncomfortable expression on her face.

“Nappies?” you supply.

Bow Kid embarrassedly nods.

“What do I do?” she asks aloud.

You’re not sure, and start thinking, before remembering what mum had said; wouldn’t she need to get nappies for you too? You’re pretty sure your friend wouldn’t have enough for both of you, anyway. So mum would have to buy some, right?

“Lets go ask my mum.”

Bow Kid is under your blankets and firmly avoiding Moustache Girl’s eyes as she comes back into the room. You try to act cool, slipping into bed next to Bow Kid.

“We didn’t even make it past midnight,” Moustache Girl grouches.

As she gets into your bed too, she plants her face onto the pillow and groans.

“Night,” you say mirthfully.

When she turns her head, her stick-on moustache is hanging on by a slither. You can’t help but giggle. Moustache Girl pouts back.

“Night,” she grumbles back.

Then there is a soft giggle behind you. Bow Kid has dared to look up from her borrowed pillow and has seen the same moustache problem. Her eyes are tinged red but Moustache Girl is distracted enough that she doesn’t notice, instead opting to remove the moustache and leave it at the food of your lamp next to your bed.

Turning back to Bow Kid, you share a small smile with her before sliding deeper into your covers. Your bed is a tight squeeze with three girls, but that’s okay. Glancing the other way, Moustache Girl is already asleep.

“Good night,” you tell Bow Kid, turning back to her.

She gives you a thankful smile in return and you doze off to sleep deciding she’s even more adorable in a nappy.

Something wakes you a few hours later. It’s warm and soft and it takes you a moment to realise it’s Bow Kid, her pretty blue bow slightly askew. She’s on her side leaning slightly on you, one of her arms between you. It’s what woke you. It’s no uncomfortable, but the contact on your belly is a new experience.

After a few moments you lift her hand and Bow Kid lets you drape it over your waist. She makes a pleasant sigh as she snuggles in closer. I seemed right, so you put your own arm over her and snuggled even closer. You notice how the fabric of Bow Kid’s pyjamas seems to glide under you hand though and you realise it’s the plastic of her nappy.

It’s a strange feeling under you fingers before you remember you should be prying, let alone with your fingers. But you can’t back out of this, you’re cuddling Bow Kid and she would like you to keep cuddling her, so you move you hand slightly higher and settle in to go back to sleep.

As you do so you notice the second thing: Bow Kid is bulging slightly. You can feel the soft mass at hip level pressing against you; Bow Kid’s nappy is bulging .

She seems relaxed and comfortable enough to hug you in her sleep, but despite that her nappy is soaked. Instead of disgust though, you mind turns to… jealousy? You realise then that it sounds nice; Bow Kid doesn’t have to worry about the loo at night, she doesn’t have to be woken by her bladder telling her to get out of her warm bed and head to the toilet, and…

You remember earlier and wonder if your mum put the nappy on Bow Kid. Was it like a baby nappy that needed to be taped up, or was it a pullup that she could do herself? Would it… be nice for mummy to look after you like that?

There’s a small hesitancy as you ask yourself your next question: would you… like to be in a nappy too?

There’s a mixture of fear and happiness inside you. It sounded nice to not have to worry about the loo anymore, to be able to keep playing adventures as long as you liked without potty breaks, to be looked after by mummy. At the other end, what would mummy think of you if you still wore nappies? Would she treat you like a baby? Tell you you can’t have adventures? What would Moustache Girl think of you?

Then another thing occurred to you: did Bow Kid like it? Maybe Bow Kid liked being in nappies at night and looked after, or maybe she hated it? Did she wish she didn’t need them?

It was getting hard to think, so you closed your eyes for just a moment, and the next think your realised was it was light outside.

“Your dad will be here soon,” your heard you mum say quietly.

Blearily looking over, you see your mum prodding Moustache Girl awake. You remember yesterday mum saying Moustache girl had to be leaving really early for some holiday thing with her family. Bow Kid is firmly attached to you now and once again you rest your eyes for just a moment to see a dressed Moustache Girl wave a goodbye at you as she leaves with her backpack.

Maybe you fall asleep again, or maybe you don’t, but you soon find yourself just watching Bow Kid. She seems peaceful and happy, and heartachingly cute with a small smile on her lips. It’s also really nice to have her cuddling you.

Your thoughts drifting, seeing Bow Kid’s eyes staring back at you is pleasant surprise.

“Morning,” you greet.

“M—” Bow Kid yawns. Once she finishes, she’s blushing. “Morning,” she said smally.

You giggle, cuddling into her more.

“Sleep well?” you ask.

She nods back nervously and you begin to wrestle with what to say. Telling her to know she’s wet and don’t care might put her at ease, but that might also be too weird a thing to say. Instead, you reiterate what you said last night.

“I’m — I’m really okay with you wearing a… a nappy,” you tell her again.

Her embarrassed blush intensifies as she gives you a nod with a thankful smile on her face.

“Thank you,” she replies quietly.

You smile brightly back.

“You’re super cute,” you blurt out, saying the first thing that comes to mind.

She smiles back for a moment before suddenly looking dejected.

“Not in a nappy, though.”

“Nu uh,” you disagree back. “You’re so cute I just want to hug you all the time.”

There’s a look of doubt for a moment before you snake an arm under her and over her, hugging Bow Kid again. You can’t help but giggle as you hug her tightly and after a moment she reciprocates. You really do want to cuddle her all the time and the thought makes your heart pleasantly soar. So, you’re somewhat surprised when her breathing hitches, prompting you to separate slightly. You’re sure you look concerned, but despite her now wet eyes, Bow Kid is smiling.

“Thanks,” she says again. “I—I was worried. Worried about a sleepover, and someone finding out. I’ve never had a sleepover before, I was always so worried about it.”

You nod sympathetically.

“At your old school?”

“Yeah,” she replied.

“Well, I’m glad you moved schools ‘cus it means I met you.” Hat Kid moved to yours and Moustache Girl’s school near the end of the year. “I’ve got two friends now.”

Bow Kid looked slightly alarmed before relaxing her expression.

Most of the other kids at school thought you and Moustache Girl were weird, but that didn’t bother you; they were just boring . None of them appreciated the adventures you and Moustache Girl had together, until Bow Kid came to your school. The teacher put her next to you because there was a space there and then you had the opportunity to see her drawing. They were really cool and she happily talked about them. You weren’t much of a drawer yourself, preferring to write stories, but that didn’t stop your from becoming friends with Bow Kid.

“So am I.”

“Yep,” you happily reply. “Wet nappies or not, you’re still my super cute, super awesome friend.”

She turns a mixture of embarrassed and thankful at the words before snuggling up to you again. Noticing her bow, you take a moment to readjust it, putting it on more securely. It’s comfortable for several minutes before there’s a knock at the door. Mum pokes her head in.

“You two awake?” she asks.

There’s a round of yeps .

“All good for now?” she asks next.

“Yep,” Bow Kid replies as you realise mum was directing her question at your friend.

“Uh huh,” you add.

“Good to hear. I’ll have breakfast ready in about fifteen, so you’ll have to get up soon.”

She disappears again.

“Um — what should I tell mum?” you ask. “Does she know?”

Bow Kid nods as you lie there silently, wondering. Eventually you ask cautiously, “It is okay if I ask some questions?”

There’s a slight hesitancy before she replies, “Yeah, it’s okay.”

You smile reassuringly as you pick your first.

“Do you need them all the time?”

There’s a flash of panic.

“ No ,” she quickly replies. “Just at night.”

You blink back at her for a moment before it clicks.

“Oh — I didn’t mean like that,” you tell her apologetically. “I meant if it was every night.”

While you didn’t exactly check, you’re pretty sure she wasn’t wearing a nappy under her skirt yesterday.

“Oh — yeah,” she replied quietly.

You nodded, thinking of your next question.

“Are they comfy?”

“Yeah — well, when they’re not cold.”

“Oh, are they now?”

She shook her head.

“N-no, under the covers and my PJs they’re okay. They stay warm.”

That was nice to hear. You certainly didn’t want your friend to be uncomfortable. The next question was more personal so you hesitate a moment. Eventually you decide to prefix the question with, “You can tell me to stop asking if you want.”

Bow Kid chewed her lip nervously before shaking her head.

“No, it’s okay. It’s — um — actually nice to talk about it with someone.”

“Oh,” you reply, giving her a small smile. It’s nice to know she trusts you like that. “Have you… ever gone on purpose?” you ask, not being able to keep the caution out of your voice.

She blushes back, averting her eyes.

“Sometimes,” she says, clearly embarrassed. “Not very often.”

You snuggle close to show her it’s okay.

“Why?”

You can feel her freeze for just a moment, before her slow breathing resumes.

“It’s… nice to not have to get up and — um,” she pauses, “— it’s h-hard to get the nappy back on myself. It’s easier to just go, and not have to wake mum, or — or,” she falters.

You catch on to what she means.

“So, my mum helped you? Nappied you, I mean?” She gives you an embarrassed nod. “It sounds nice,” you comment idly before realising what you said, a blush crossing your cheeks.

“It is,” Bow Kid breaths back.

A ridiculous smile on your face, your heart swells for some reason. It’s so incredibly cute to imagine your friend like that, and you can imagine yourself at her side, just the same.

“Like last night?” you ask.

She freezes again, blushing furiously, before nodding.

“I — I didn’t want to wake your mum.”

You can’t help but giggle and pull her into a hug.

“It’s cute,” you saw into her ear. “It’s super cute.”

“Really?” she asks as you break apart.

“Yep,” you say, nodding enthusiastically.

As Bow kid fidgets beside you, a pleasurable but embarrassed smile on her face, you almost admit that you wish you could wear them too, but change tract instead.

“So, they’re like, tape up nappies?”

She shrugs slightly, as best she can, laying on her side.

“Yeah,” she admits before looking uncertain. “The — the pullup ones leak really easily.”

You didn’t know that but the fact they tape up makes them seems even cuter, and they are secure.

“Do you want to see them?” Bow Kid asks you with a small amount of hesitancy. “I mean, I have a spare in my bag.”

You panic a fraction of a second, and you decide you can’t lie to her.

“I — um — I know, I saw them last night,” you admit dejectedly. “I shouldn’t have peeked.”

She presses her lips together, looking uncertain.

“Is that how you know?” she asked.

You shake your head.

“No, I — um — I thought your jammies had a tail,” you try to explain, fidgeting nervously. “So I was looking and then I could sort of see something and I guessed.”

She suddenly looks worried.

“I don’t think Moustache Girl noticed… I-I only noticed because I was…” you pause nervously. “I was looking at your bottom for a tail. I thought your jammies had a tail.”

It’s a strange, sad giggle that escapes Bow Kid’s mouth. It was a bit ridiculous you think as you join her in laughing.

“I would like to see though,” you add. “I didn’t go through your bag or anything, I just peeked in as I walked past and saw a bit.”

She nods understandably.

“Okay.”

She begins to shuffle out of bed and you join her, the pair of you standing up. Now free of the covers, you can’t help but look up and down your friend. Maybe it’s because you are aware of it, but the nappy seems a bit obvious now, or maybe that’s because it’s wet.

“Can you notice it?” she timidly asks.

You shrug back.

“Well, yeah,” you admit. “But everyone knows, and it is cute.”

She brightens slightly at your answer as you take her hand and lead her out of your room. Looking back Bow Kid seems to waddle slightly as she follows you. You smile brightly, trying not to giggle. You can hear mum in the kitchen and smell breakfast as you and Bow Kid go to her bag on the couch. With a nervous glance she pulls the spare nappy out of bag and holds it up.

Like you guessed last night, it’s white and pastel colours. But unlike last night, you can see the cute pattern on it of cartoon figures.

“Can — can I touch it?”

She looks surprised before nodding and handing it to you.

It’s neatly folded, the outside plastic is smooth under your fingers. Carefully, you open it up a bit, seeing the tapes and the soft lining. Its smell is nice, familiar . You suddenly try to imagine the feeling of it around you securely as you play and have adventures without a care in the world. The fantasy is brought back to reality by a shout.

“Kids, breakfast!” mum calls.

Bow Kid panics, snatching it back and stuffing it in her bag.

“Is it like, a bit poofy?” you quietly ask.

Bow Kid gives you a small nod as you mum comes into the room and lays out the breakfast.

It’s delicious and you easily make small talk with Bow Kid, with mum occasionally querying about what the three of you got up to last night.

Your mum gives Bow Kid another look before asking, “Everything holding up?”

Your friend nods back emphatically.

“Yep!”

When you finish your mind turns to what to do next. You could make things, or draw things, or try and have an adventure that does require Moustache Girl. You offer your suggestions to Bow Kid.

“We could try drawing,” she suggests.

“Okay then,” you reply, getting up from the table.

Bow Kid mimics you. As she turns to push her chair in though, you notice her bum again and start giggling. Bow Kid looks at you curiously.

“You bum,” you start with as you muffle the giggles. “it’s all flat .”

Bow Kid blushes faintly as she tries to look over her shoulder. Not able to see it though, she reaches behind and traces the outline of her wet nappy where it was flattened against you seat. Look pensive for just a moment, she wiggles her bum a bit and removing the flatness.

“All better!” she pronounces mirthfully, to your renewed giggling.

You notice mum’s expression. It’s faintly surprised but otherwise school.

“So — uh — you know, sweetie?”

Bow Kid blinks before her blush intensifies.

“Hat Kid figured it out.”

You shrug in acceptance from her side.

“Oh — well I hope everything went okay?” mum continued with some concern.

“Uh huh,” Bow kid replied.

“Yep,” you add, stepping closer to your friend’s side. “She’s my friend,” you say as if it’s obvious.

Like, why wouldn’t it be okay?

Your mum smiles widely.

“I was looking for a moment to get you out of your protection ,” said mum, “but if you’re both in the know I think you could both do with a bath. Don’t you think?”

A thought occurred to you.

“With bubbles?”

Mum chuckles.

“I’m sure we can use some bubble bath.” You glance at Bow Kid encouragingly who smiles back. “How about you two carry the plates into the kitchen while I get the hot water going?”

You take a quick trip to the loo once you and Bow Kid have put the dishes in the kitchen and then head to the bathroom and wash your hands. Mum is turning off the taps as you enter and from the bubbles you can see she’s already added the bubble bath. Meanwhile Bow Kid is standing there, waiting.

“Do you two need any help?” mum asks.

You glance at Bow Kid who gives a small shake of her head.

“Alrighty then, I’ll leave you two to it” Mum steps out and closes the door but before you can start pulling your PJs off, she opens it again and sticks her head in. “And sweetheart, you can just leave your protection on the floor and I’ll bin it later. Okay?”

“Thank you,” your friend quietly replies to your mum’s reassuring smile.

You pull your top off and are about to get rid of your trackies when Bow Kid speaks up.

“Um — can you help me?” she asks, turning around and pointing over her shoulder.

“Yep,” you say, stepping over to grab the back zipper for her.

After pulling it down you spot a little bit of white nappy before helping Bow Kid shrug the shoulders off. Once she gets her arms out of the sleeves, she does another wiggle and soon her PJs slip over her nappy and pool on the floor. Her nappy is obviously wet as she bends down to pull the elastic leg cuffs over her feet. Getting up, she cautiously turns to you, red faced. You smile widely back.

“All good?”

She gives you a small smile and nods.

“Yeah, just a bit embarrassing.”

You roll yours eyes affectionately and hug your friend.

“You’re cute when you blush too, you know?” you comment.

Bow Kid giggles over your shoulder.

“Thank you,” she says earnestly. “For being my friend, and for being okay — okay with everything.”

Stepping back, you help your friend get her bow off.

You wave goodbye to your friend as she drives away. When she vanishes into the distance you follow mum back into the house.

“I’m proud to have you as a daughter,” your mum tells you. “Despite her little problem you didn’t let that get in the way of being friends.”

It seems strange to think it would be a problem.

“It was nothing,” you say, brushing it off with a shrug.

Your mother’s smile widens.

“Well, regardless, I am proud of you, sweetie.” You’re blushing faintly at the praise. “ow about I get you a bowl of ice cream as a treat?”

“Really?” you ask excitedly.

“Yep!”

Mum has her own bowl as you sit next to her on the couch, watching some Saturday morning cartoons and eating your ice cream.

“I just wanted her to be happy,” you say as the credits roll at the end of the show about a family of talking dogs. “She was really worried about her nappy and what I thought about her when she knew I knew.”

Isn’t that the point of friends? To make them happy? Making Bow Kid happy made your heart soar.

Strangely, your mind turns to nappies again, to the idea of also wearing them. You wouldn’t have to get out of bed if you had too much to drink before bed, and you and Bow Kid would look so cute together. It seemed safe and secure… it seemed comforting.

You and Bow Kid, together in nappies.

“What was that, sweetie?” you mum asks with a small amount of bewilderment.

You freeze, your mind reeling as you realise you said it out loud . You mentally panic, looking for an excuse.

“I — uh — I mean, so she’s not embarrassed,” you add, grasping for the first thing that comes to mind.

Mum looks pensively at you as what you said actually processes. It… is actually not a bad idea, you did want to make Bow Kid happy, and both being in nappies would make her less embarrassed, you’re sure.

“You want to wear a nappy as well?” mum asks cautiously.

You blush furiously as what that actually means hits you.

I-I just thoughts if we’re… both in nappies, she w-wouldn’t worry.”

Mum sighs neutrally before pulling you into a hug.

“You don’t have too, sweetie,” she says. “I know it could be embarrassing. I’m sure your friend will understand.”

You’re not sure what to say. Mum seems to think you don’t want to because you’re embarrassed, but you do, even if you are embarrassed a bit by it. But it occurs to you that this might not be something you should voice.

“I’ll do it,” is your muffled reply from mum’s top.

Your mum brushes your hair with her hands for a few moments.

“You really are a good friend,” she comments. “I’m glad she’s got a friend as good as you.” You wait in anticipation, hope for the next words. “So yes, we can do that.”

Bow Kid looks slightly uncertain, so you take her hand reassuringly, letting you guide her out of the room. You do most of the talking as Bow Kid is strangely embarrassed by forgetting them.

“It’s not a problem, sweetheart,” says mum as she crouches to your levels. “Have you got plenty back at home?”

“Yeah,” Bow Kid replies.

“Have you got a key or is there a spare key about? We can go and pick them up.”

Bow Kid shakes her head.

“No, mummy doesn’t have a spare key at the house. She keeps it in the car.”

“Hmm — well, I guess we’ll have to make a quick run to the shops, okay?”

Mum tells both of you to go to the loo before you go. As you wait for Bow Kid to finish, mum pulls you aside.

“Sweetie?” she asks quietly. You look back questioningly. “Now, I know I said you can be in nappies too —” your heart drops; it sounds like mum has changed her mind “— but I think you need to ask your friend for permission, first. It might make her more and not less uncomfortable.”

Oh.

That sort of makes sense, and is way better than mum saying no. You nod.

“Okay.”

Heading out to the car, mum starts fitting Bow Kid’s car seat. Both of you watch as mum threads the seatbelt through the seat and then clicks in a thing a bit like a seatbelt plug to a special slot in the roof. Then she tightens the belts.

“All ready to go,” mum announces.

The car seat is pretty similar to your own. It’s got loops that your arms go through which connect together across your chest and then connects to another set of belts that go up between your legs. Your chair in comfy and you’re sure Bow Kid’s is comfy too.

“Now, lets check everything fits you properly,” says mum as Bow kid climbs up and sits in the chair.

After looping her arms through, Bow Kid lets your mum buckle her up and check the straps.

“All good?”

“Yep!” Bow Kid replies.

Maybe it’s mum’s attention, but Bow Kid seems less embarrassed about forgetting her nappies now.

You do your own buckle up which mum quickly checks before closing the door for you. Soon, mum starts the engine and pulls out of the driveway.

Looking across at your friend, you realise she’s in reach, even though she’s on the other side of the car. Your reach out as Bow Kid, spotting your movement, reaches out too. You hold her hand for a few seconds, but the long distance you have to reach is a bit awkward. Bow Kid seems to share the thought as you both giggle when you let go.

Knowing you have to ask Bow Kid about the nappies, you wonder how to ask. It soon occurs to you that if you ask in front of mum, Bow Kid might accidentally reveal how interested you are in trying them. A worry that mum might change her mind if you’re too keen comes to the forefront of your mind. So, you decide to ask her at the shops, or maybe when you get back home.

“How do your feel about coming in with me when I buy them?” mum asks Bow Kid.

Bow Kid blushes and shrugs.

“I guess I’m okay,” she says quietly.

You can see mum give her a concerned look.

“You can wait in the car if you want, sweetheart,” says mum kindly. “I’ll only be a few moments.”

Bow Kid seems slightly surprised.

“Oh — okay.”

That works perfectly for you, too.

It only takes a few minutes to reach the shops. As mum gets out of the car, she says, “I’ll only be a moment.”

“What do you do when your mum goes shopping?” you ask after mum locks the doors.

“Well — um — I can’t stay in the car for that long,” Bow Kid explains. “Mummy doesn’t make it obvious and she buys big boxes, so it’s only every few months.”

You nod, the explanation making sense.

“So, if it’s one a night —” Bow Kid nods “— that’s like thirty per month,” you think aloud. “They must be really big boxes.”

Bow Kid hums in agreement.

Now you need to ask the other questions.

“Can I ask you something? Something else?”

Bow Kid blinks in surprise before smiling widely.

“You already asked me something, silly,” she says, giggling.

You smile faintly back.

“Yeah, but it’s… something else,” you say, procrastinating. She’s looking at you curiously again. “After the sleepover, mum was asking me some stuff, about how I figured it out.”

You’re not sure how to continue it though. Saying you willingly will wear nappies is… something. Maybe your expression betrays your worry, because Bow kid looks worried back.

“It can’t be bad,” Bow Kid offers. “After everything you did for me…”

You give her an embarrassed but thankful smile.

“Well, I said that — to make you feel better — that I c-could wear them too,” you explain, substituting the actual word with them at the last moment.

Bow Kid’s eyes go wide at the statement.

“Mum said that I should ask you first, though.”

She looks shocked, but after a moment her smile grows. You think your can see her eyes glisten slightly.

“Really?” Bow Kid asks.

She looks deeply thankful at your nod.

It’s now the holidays, but despite that fact, another sleepover seems elusive. It seems that in between family holidays, family get togethers and bad timings, another sleep over does not happen in the first week, or even the second week. You catch up with both Bow Kid and Moustache Girl during the day several times, but no sleepovers.

It’s late in the day and you were a bit tired from following mum around as she did groceries and then some other shopping, when you perk up from the loungeroom floor to listen in.

“On no,” you heard your mum say into her phone. “Sure, that won’t be a problem — uh huh — yeah. Okay, I will see you soon.” Mum hangs up.

You keep working on the hat you’re making. It’s a witch’s hat; tall with a buckle on it (why do they have a buckle though?). You were glad you had learnt, because sewing was a great skill for putting together costumes for all of your adventures.

Perhaps ten minutes later, you hear a knock at the door and mum walks by to answer it. You don’t pay that fact too much mind when you distantly recognise a voice. Jumping to your feet, you carefully listen for a moment before breaking into a run to the front door, an enthusiastic smile on your face.

At the door, holding hands with her mum, is Bow Kid. Your mum and hers are talking, Bow Kid looking up between them. You come to a stop at the doorway as she notices you and immediately brightens. You pull her into a hug.

“How come you’re here?” you ask her.

Separating, she frowns slightly.

“Auntie is in the hospital,” she replies sadly. “Mummy’s got to go and help out. She’s got to fly there.”

“Oh,” you reply, not sure what to say. It wasn’t something you have ever thought about, or wanted too, really.

“Don’t worry, it’s not really bad,” Bow Kid’s mum says, spotting your worry. “I’ve just got to pick my sister up from the hospital and help her for a few days until her partner is able to get back from overseas.”

Well, that doesn’t sound too bad. Maybe it was like a broken bone?

Bow Kid’s mum pulls out her phone and checks the time. She makes an unhappy sound.

“Sorry, I’ve got to get going or I’ll miss my flight.” She crouches down to your level and hugs her daughter. “Now, be good, okay?”

“I will!” Bow Kid replies.

Her mum smiles before planting a big kiss on her cheek.

“Bye,” you say as she quickly walks to her car.

“Bye, mummy,” Bow Kid adds.

Bow Kid’s mum opens her door and is about to hop in her car when she freezes and then quickly goes around to the other side, opening the back passenger door.

“You’ll need this too,” she says, doing something.

You’re not sure what until her mum pulls out Bow Kid’s car seat.

“You know what they say,” she says, jogging over with it, “the seat goes with the child.”

Your mum meets Bow Kid’s mum halfway, taking the car seat from her.

“Yes, we don’t want to forget that,” your mum says mirthfully.

“Thanks a lot again for doing this,” Bow Kid’s mum says over her shoulder as she gets into the driver’s seat for real this time.

You and Bow Kid wave as she drives away.

“You had anything to eat, sweetie?” your mum asks Bow Kid.

“Some,” she replies unsurely.

Mum gives Bow Kid kind but questioning look.

“So what have you had?”

“Um,” she replies. “Some toast… at breakfast. Mum was… busy today.”

Mum gives her a sad smile.

“You’re a growing girl, I certainly don’t mind feeding you. Why don’t you put your things away and I’ll make you a snack before dinner?”

You lead Bow Kid to your room where she sets her bag down. You wonder if she’s got enough for a few days; the bag isn’t huge. If not, she can always borrow your stuff. Still, you’re curious.

“You fit everything in there?”

“Well, yeah,” she replies before suddenly looking unsure. Bow Kid cautiously unzips her bag and her face falls. “I — uh — I forgot my you know .” She looks up at you, an uncomfortable expression on her face.

“Nappies?” you supply.

Bow Kid embarrassedly nods.

“What do I do?” she asks aloud.

You’re not sure, and start thinking, before remembering what mum had said; wouldn’t she need to get nappies for you too? You’re pretty sure your friend wouldn’t have enough for both of you, anyway. So mum would have to buy some, right?

“Lets go ask my mum.”

Bow Kid looks slightly uncertain, so you take her hand reassuringly, letting you guide her out of the room. You do most of the talking as Bow Kid is strangely embarrassed by forgetting them.

“It’s not a problem, sweetheart,” says mum as she crouches to your levels. “Have you got plenty back at home?”

“Yeah,” Bow Kid replies.

“Have you got a key or is there a spare key about? We can go and pick them up.”

Bow Kid shakes her head.

“No, mummy doesn’t have a spare key at the house. She keeps it in the car.”

“Hmm — well, I guess we’ll have to make a quick run to the shops, okay?”

Mum tells both of you to go to the loo before you go. As you wait for Bow Kid to finish, mum pulls you aside.

“Sweetie?” she asks quietly. You look back questioningly. “Now, I know I said you can be in nappies too —” your heart drops; it sounds like mum has changed her mind “— but I think you need to ask your friend for permission, first. It might make her more and not less uncomfortable.”

Oh.

That sort of makes sense, and is way better than mum saying no. You nod.

“Okay.”

Heading out to the car, mum starts fitting Bow Kid’s car seat. Both of you watch as mum threads the seatbelt through the seat and then clicks in a thing a bit like a seatbelt plug to a special slot in the roof. Then she tightens the belts.

“All ready to go,” mum announces.

The car seat is pretty similar to your own. It’s got loops that your arms go through which connect together across your chest and then connects to another set of belts that go up between your legs. Your chair in comfy and you’re sure Bow Kid’s is comfy too.

“Now, lets check everything fits you properly,” says mum as Bow kid climbs up and sits in the chair.

After looping her arms through, Bow Kid lets your mum buckle her up and check the straps.

“All good?”

“Yep!” Bow Kid replies.

Bow Kid joins you in making costumes when you get home. She hasn’t done sewing before, but jumps into it headfirst, keen to be able to make her own costumes for their adventures. It takes a bit of explaining and you have to show her the various tricks, but in no time Bow Kid is trying to make a cat face out of different coloured bits of fabric. She’s going a bit slower than you, but she also wants to get it right. You’re sure she’ll be as speedy as you in no time.

It’s about an hour into making stuff that you realise Bow Kid is missing her most important accessory: her bow .

It takes you no time at all find it in your costume box. Bow Kid sits there patiently as you carefully tug up her hair so the bow acts like a headband. Once you are done, you sit back to admire your handiwork.

“How is it?” she asks.

“You look super cute,” you gush.

Bow Kid blushes slightly at your compliment before your envelope her in a hug. It’s nice and comfortable to cuddle, but soon you’re back to work.

“How does this look?” Bow Kid asks, holding her cat up.

You know there’s a word for a flat sewn image thing, but can’t immediately recall it. It’s not like a teddy bear (or teddy-cat?) as they’re not flat. Oh well.

“That’s really good,” you say honestly.

You know your first attempts at sewing were… bad. It took time for you to get it right, but Bow Kid seems to have done loads better. Mum did tell you not to rush it.

“Really? You think?” she asks uncertainly. Perhaps she is wondering if you are just saying that because she’s your friend?

“It really is.”

Bow Kid still looks really uncertain. You try to think of something to convince her.

“I know!” you say aloud, jumping to your feet. Boy Kid looks at you in confusion, but it will be easier to show.

You go to your wardrobe and start digging through the stuff in the bottom, below the dresses and jackets and things you made hung on coat hangers. Throwing some things out of the wardrobe, you find a dress you had forgotten about from another adventure. You set that aside and then keep digging. Soon you find it .

“Take a look at this,” you say, holding the jumpsuit up for Bow Kid to see.

It was probably too small for you now, but it showed off the flowers you had sewed onto it. The sewing was really bad, but it was also one of the first big things you had made.

“Did you make this?” Bow Kid asked as she inspected it.

“Yep. It was the first thing I did.”

“It’s — um — good.”

You laugh.

“It’s not,” you say good naturedly. “It’s really bad.”

Bow Kid looked conflicted.

“Maybe…” she admits.

“You cat is way better even though it’s the first thing you’ve made with sewing.”

Bow Kid looks down at the cat in her hands a small smile on her lips. You put away the clown costume you’d made for the clown wars adventure you and Moustache Girl had played ages ago.

The pair of you end up in a comfortable rhythm, with Bow Kid making another, different coloured cat.

“Can we make clothes?” Bow Kid asks.

“Yeah,” your reply with a nod. “But we need a sewing pattern.”

“Oh — what’s that?”

You pause as you think about how to explain it.

“It’s like paper with all the bits of fabric you need printed on it. You then cut it out and pin it to the fabric so you know where to cut.”

“Ohhh.” Bow Kid paused. “Do you have any?”

“No,” you reply, shaking your head. “But mum found some online and printed them off for me. Lets go ask.”

You and Bow Kid go looking for your mum. You find her enjoying a book on the couch.

“Having fun?” she asks Bow Kid.

“Uh huh,” Bow Kid replies. “I’ve been making kitties.”

Mum inspects the cat Bow Kid holds up. She smiles widely.

“Wow, that’s very good.”

You look at Bow Kid, quietly saying, “ See?”

“Mum, can we pretty please use the computer to find some patterns. I want to teach Bow Kid how to make things with them.”

Mum silently laughs when you say Bow Kid .

“That bow looks very cute on you.” Bow Kid looks pleasantly embarrassed at the praise. “Alright then, you can use it. Let me go get it.”

Maybe it’s mum’s attention, but Bow Kid seems less embarrassed about forgetting her nappies now.

You do your own buckle up which mum quickly checks before closing the door for you. Soon, mum starts the engine and pulls out of the driveway.

Looking across at your friend, you realise she’s in reach, even though she’s on the other side of the car. Your reach out as Bow Kid, spotting your movement, reaches out too. You hold her hand for a few seconds, but the long distance you have to reach is a bit awkward. Bow Kid seems to share the thought as you both giggle when you let go.

Knowing you have to ask Bow Kid about the nappies, you wonder how to ask. It soon occurs to you that if you ask in front of mum, Bow Kid might accidentally reveal how interested you are in trying them. A worry that mum might change her mind if you’re too keen comes to the forefront of your mind. So, you decide to ask her at the shops, or maybe when you get back home.

“How do your feel about coming in with me when I buy them?” mum asks Bow Kid.

Bow Kid blushes and shrugs.

“I guess I’m okay,” she says quietly.

You can see mum give her a concerned look.

“You can wait in the car if you want, sweetheart,” says mum kindly. “I’ll only be a few moments.”

Bow Kid seems slightly surprised.

“Oh — okay.”

That works perfectly for you, too.

It only takes a few minutes to reach the shops. As mum gets out of the car, she says, “I’ll only be a moment.”

“What do you do when your mum goes shopping?” you ask after mum locks the doors.

“Well — um — I can’t stay in the car for that long,” Bow Kid explains. “Mummy doesn’t make it obvious and she buys big boxes, so it’s only every few months.”

You nod, the explanation making sense.

“So, if it’s one a night —” Bow Kid nods “— that’s like thirty per month,” you think aloud. “They must be really big boxes.”

Bow Kid hums in agreement.

Now you need to ask the other questions.

“Can I ask you something? Something else?”

Bow Kid blinks in surprise before smiling widely.

“You already asked me something, silly,” she says, giggling.

You smile faintly back.

“Yeah, but it’s… something else,” you say, procrastinating. She’s looking at you curiously again. “After the sleepover, mum was asking me some stuff, about how I figured it out.”

You’re not sure how to continue it though. Saying you willingly will wear nappies is… something. Maybe your expression betrays your worry, because Bow kid looks worried back.

“It can’t be bad,” Bow Kid offers. “After everything you did for me…”

You give her an embarrassed but thankful smile.

“Well, I said that — to make you feel better — that I c-could wear them too,” you explain, substituting the actual word with them at the last moment.

Bow Kid’s eyes go wide at the statement.

“Mum said that I should ask you first, though.”

She looks shocked, but after a moment her smile grows. You think your can see her eyes glisten slightly.

“Really?” Bow Kid asks.

She looks deeply thankful at your nod.

Mum closes her book with a bookmark between the pages and goes to her office to get her laptop. She’s soon back, setting it up on the dining table in sight of her.

“Call if you have any trouble, and don’t waste the paper.”

You nod in understanding. Mum taught you all about how you shouldn’t waste things, so if you weren’t sure you were printing it right, get some help.

“What do we do now?” Bow Kid asked.

“Easy, we just search.”

You type in clothes patterns , bringing up loads of sites that had them. Then you remembered that some cost money, so you added free to the search. In no time at all, Bow Kid was scrolling through the pictures of different things.

“I don’t know what ones to pick,” she eventually says.

“Want some help?”

Bow Kid nods.

“Maybe…” you ponder out loud. “Maybe we can do something you can sew the cats to?”

Bow Kid brightened at the idea.

“Like a t-shirt?”

You shrug.

“You could do other things too, like jumpers or jackets… or hats?” you suggest.

Bow Kid keeps scrolling.

“Stop!” you say. You reach out, pointing at a cardigan. “How about that?”

Bow Kid clicks on it, bringing up a bigger picture. She shares a happy glance with you.

You had a roll of lime green felt that you had thought about making a cape or a cloak with, but now seemed perfect for Bow Kid’s cardigan. It the same shade as Bow Kid’s super cute PJs.

Printing the pattern out, you then had to tape it together because mum didn’t have a big enough printer, then you and Bow Kid went to work cutting out the various parts.

“So, you pin it like this,” you say, showing Bow Kid how to pin the paper to the fabric. She watches carefully and then mimics the process. “Yeah, like that.”

You end up moving into the lounge where there’s more space. Mum makes some suggestions rearranging each of the pieces.

“There, now you won’t waste any fabric,” she declares.

You could see how they fic together better, sort of like —

“Like a jigsaw puzzle!” Bow Kid says, thinking along the same lines.

Mum laughs.

“Exactly.”

It’s getting dark outside as mum puts some dinner together. You’re explaining how you make clothes inside-out when mum says dinner is ready.

“Thank you, Hat Kid’s mummy!” says Bow Kid as she eats the spaghetti bolognese.

“No problem, sweetie. I’m glad you’re enjoying it.”

You’re about done when Bow Kid loudly yawns.

“It’s been a really long day, hasn’t it?” mum asks her. Bow Kid nods. “I think you two should have an early bed tonight.”

You grumble a bit, but tone it down when you realise Bow Kid is looking apologetically at you. You don’t want her to think you were angry at her.

“Do we have to?” you say instead.

Mum pretends to think on it. You know she’s way faster than that though.

“Hmm, how about you two get ready for bed, and then you can stay up a little bit longer, working on your amazing crafts things?”

You look brightly at Bow Kid who seems happy at the idea. You nod at mum and get up from the table. You hold Bow Kid’s hand as you go to your room with her. As you do, it suddenly hits you that you’ll probably be in a nappy soon. It suddenly seems real, and embarrassing. But at the same time, it sounds nice and will also make Bow Kid happy.

Maybe your unease is really obvious, because Bow Kid looks at you comfortingly.

“You okay?” she asks.

You shrug.

“Just wondering,” you say. But Bow Kid is clearly waiting for more. “It’s just about… nappies.”

“Oh —” Bow Kid frowns slightly. “You don’t want to… anymore?” she asks timidly.

You shake your head.

“No, I… do, it’s just… I dunno what happens.”

“Oh — well you just lie there and mummy — your mummy — does it.”

Suddenly there’s a knock at the door. Mum soon pokes in you head.

“Did my darling daughter ask you?” mum asks lightly.

It takes a moment for Bow Kid to realise what she means.

“Yep.”

“Well, just bring your PJs through to the lounge, you two, and I’ll get you ready.”

She disappears while you go red in the face, remembering again what was about to happen. You grab your PJs as Bow Kid pulls out her cat-eared PJs. You stare for a moment, wondering if you could make some PJs like that. Bow Kid notices you staring, however. She looks ponderous for a moment.

“Do you want to trade PJs?” she asks.

“Your PJs for mine?”

“Yeah.”

It sounds like a really cool idea, but your PJs are really plain in comparison.

“Mine aren’t very interesting though.”

Bow Kid smiles and shrugs.

“ I think you’ll look cute in them,” she declares. “So, I want to see you in them.”

You blush at the praise. There’s no way you’d say no to your friend.

“Okay.”

When the pair of you march into the living room, mum is reading her book again, waiting.

“So, who will be first?”

You glance at Bow Kid and you see her make a decision.

“I’ll go,” she offers.

As she stands up, mum grabs the big packets of nappies that was sitting on the floor next to the couch, ripping open the packaging as she did.

“Lie down on the carpet, honey.”

Bow Kid joins you in making costumes when you get home. She hasn’t done sewing before, but jumps into it headfirst, keen to be able to make her own costumes for their adventures. It takes a bit of explaining and you have to show her the various tricks, but in no time Bow Kid is trying to make a cat face out of different coloured bits of fabric. She’s going a bit slower than you, but she also wants to get it right. You’re sure she’ll be as speedy as you in no time.

It’s about an hour into making stuff that you realise Bow Kid is missing her most important accessory: her bow .

It takes you no time at all find it in your costume box. Bow Kid sits there patiently as you carefully tug up her hair so the bow acts like a headband. Once you are done, you sit back to admire your handiwork.

“How is it?” she asks.

“You look super cute,” you gush.

Bow Kid blushes slightly at your compliment before your envelope her in a hug. It’s nice and comfortable to cuddle, but soon you’re back to work.

“How does this look?” Bow Kid asks, holding her cat up.

You know there’s a word for a flat sewn image thing, but can’t immediately recall it. It’s not like a teddy bear (or teddy-cat?) as they’re not flat. Oh well.

“That’s really good,” you say honestly.

You know your first attempts at sewing were… bad. It took time for you to get it right, but Bow Kid seems to have done loads better. Mum did tell you not to rush it.

“Really? You think?” she asks uncertainly. Perhaps she is wondering if you are just saying that because she’s your friend?

“It really is.”

Bow Kid still looks really uncertain. You try to think of something to convince her.

“I know!” you say aloud, jumping to your feet. Boy Kid looks at you in confusion, but it will be easier to show.

You go to your wardrobe and start digging through the stuff in the bottom, below the dresses and jackets and things you made hung on coat hangers. Throwing some things out of the wardrobe, you find a dress you had forgotten about from another adventure. You set that aside and then keep digging. Soon you find it .

“Take a look at this,” you say, holding the jumpsuit up for Bow Kid to see.

It was probably too small for you now, but it showed off the flowers you had sewed onto it. The sewing was really bad, but it was also one of the first big things you had made.

“Did you make this?” Bow Kid asked as she inspected it.

“Yep. It was the first thing I did.”

“It’s — um — good.”

You laugh.

“It’s not,” you say good naturedly. “It’s really bad.”

Bow Kid looked conflicted.

“Maybe…” she admits.

“You cat is way better even though it’s the first thing you’ve made with sewing.”

Bow Kid looks down at the cat in her hands a small smile on her lips. You put away the clown costume you’d made for the clown wars adventure you and Moustache Girl had played ages ago.

The pair of you end up in a comfortable rhythm, with Bow Kid making another, different coloured cat.

“Can we make clothes?” Bow Kid asks.

“Yeah,” your reply with a nod. “But we need a sewing pattern.”

“Oh — what’s that?”

You pause as you think about how to explain it.

“It’s like paper with all the bits of fabric you need printed on it. You then cut it out and pin it to the fabric so you know where to cut.”

“Ohhh.” Bow Kid paused. “Do you have any?”

“No,” you reply, shaking your head. “But mum found some online and printed them off for me. Lets go ask.”

You and Bow Kid go looking for your mum. You find her enjoying a book on the couch.

“Having fun?” she asks Bow Kid.

“Uh huh,” Bow Kid replies. “I’ve been making kitties.”

Mum inspects the cat Bow Kid holds up. She smiles widely.

“Wow, that’s very good.”

You look at Bow Kid, quietly saying, “ See?”

“Mum, can we pretty please use the computer to find some patterns. I want to teach Bow Kid how to make things with them.”

Mum silently laughs when you say Bow Kid .

“That bow looks very cute on you.” Bow Kid looks pleasantly embarrassed at the praise. “Alright then, you can use it. Let me go get it.”

Mum closes her book with a bookmark between the pages and goes to her office to get her laptop. She’s soon back, setting it up on the dining table in sight of her.

“Call if you have any trouble, and don’t waste the paper.”

You nod in understanding. Mum taught you all about how you shouldn’t waste things, so if you weren’t sure you were printing it right, get some help.

“What do we do now?” Bow Kid asked.

“Easy, we just search.”

You type in clothes patterns , bringing up loads of sites that had them. Then you remembered that some cost money, so you added free to the search. In no time at all, Bow Kid was scrolling through the pictures of different things.

“I don’t know what ones to pick,” she eventually says.

“Want some help?”

Bow Kid nods.

“Maybe…” you ponder out loud. “Maybe we can do something you can sew the cats to?”

Bow Kid brightened at the idea.

“Like a t-shirt?”

You shrug.

“You could do other things too, like jumpers or jackets… or hats?” you suggest.

Bow Kid keeps scrolling.

“Stop!” you say. You reach out, pointing at a cardigan. “How about that?”

Bow Kid clicks on it, bringing up a bigger picture. She shares a happy glance with you.

You had a roll of lime green felt that you had thought about making a cape or a cloak with, but now seemed perfect for Bow Kid’s cardigan. It the same shade as Bow Kid’s super cute PJs.

Printing the pattern out, you then had to tape it together because mum didn’t have a big enough printer, then you and Bow Kid went to work cutting out the various parts.

“So, you pin it like this,” you say, showing Bow Kid how to pin the paper to the fabric. She watches carefully and then mimics the process. “Yeah, like that.”

You end up moving into the lounge where there’s more space. Mum makes some suggestions rearranging each of the pieces.

“There, now you won’t waste any fabric,” she declares.

You could see how they fic together better, sort of like —

“Like a jigsaw puzzle!” Bow Kid says, thinking along the same lines.

Mum laughs.

“Exactly.”

It’s getting dark outside as mum puts some dinner together. You’re explaining how you make clothes inside-out when mum says dinner is ready.

“Thank you, Hat Kid’s mummy!” says Bow Kid as she eats the spaghetti bolognese.

“No problem, sweetie. I’m glad you’re enjoying it.”

You’re about done when Bow Kid loudly yawns.

“It’s been a really long day, hasn’t it?” mum asks her. Bow Kid nods. “I think you two should have an early bed tonight.”

You grumble a bit, but tone it down when you realise Bow Kid is looking apologetically at you. You don’t want her to think you were angry at her.

“Do we have to?” you say instead.

Mum pretends to think on it. You know she’s way faster than that though.

“Hmm, how about you two get ready for bed, and then you can stay up a little bit longer, working on your amazing crafts things?”

You look brightly at Bow Kid who seems happy at the idea. You nod at mum and get up from the table. You hold Bow Kid’s hand as you go to your room with her. As you do, it suddenly hits you that you’ll probably be in a nappy soon. It suddenly seems real, and embarrassing. But at the same time, it sounds nice and will also make Bow Kid happy.

Maybe your unease is really obvious, because Bow Kid looks at you comfortingly.

“You okay?” she asks.

You shrug.

“Just wondering,” you say. But Bow Kid is clearly waiting for more. “It’s just about… nappies.”

“Oh —” Bow Kid frowns slightly. “You don’t want to… anymore?” she asks timidly.

You shake your head.

“No, I… do, it’s just… I dunno what happens.”

“Oh — well you just lie there and mummy — your mummy — does it.”

Suddenly there’s a knock at the door. Mum soon pokes in you head.

“Did my darling daughter ask you?” mum asks lightly.

It takes a moment for Bow Kid to realise what she means.

“Yep.”

“Well, just bring your PJs through to the lounge, you two, and I’ll get you ready.”

She disappears while you go red in the face, remembering again what was about to happen. You grab your PJs as Bow Kid pulls out her cat-eared PJs. You stare for a moment, wondering if you could make some PJs like that. Bow Kid notices you staring, however. She looks ponderous for a moment.

“Do you want to trade PJs?” she asks.

“Your PJs for mine?”

“Yeah.”

It sounds like a really cool idea, but your PJs are really plain in comparison.

“Mine aren’t very interesting though.”

Bow Kid smiles and shrugs.

“ I think you’ll look cute in them,” she declares. “So, I want to see you in them.”

You blush at the praise. There’s no way you’d say no to your friend.

“Okay.”

When the pair of you march into the living room, mum is reading her book again, waiting.

“So, who will be first?”

You glance at Bow Kid and you see her make a decision.

“I’ll go,” she offers.

As she stands up, mum grabs the big packets of nappies that was sitting on the floor next to the couch, ripping open the packaging as she did.

“Lie down on the carpet, honey.”

Mum unfolds the nappy as Bow Kid puts her PJs on the coffee table and lies down. She catches your eyes as she waits, a slightly embarrassed smile on her face as she does. Meanwhile, the nappy now unfolded, mum sets it aside before pulling up Bow Kid’s blue dress. You can see Bow Kid lift her bum slightly as your mum pulls off her undies and then slips the nappy under her.

You probably shouldn’t, but you were immensely curious, watching us mum folded the nappy up over your friend, and then with one hand on the front of the nappy, pulled each side up over, sticking it them into place.

“How’s that feel?” mum asked.

“All good,” Bow Kid replied.

“Want help with your PJs?”

“Um — okay,” Bow Kid replied with slight uncertainty.

Mum smiles at her, reaching for the bundle of clothes. Picking up the trackies, mum shares a knowing look with you before threading Bow Kid’s feet through the holes. Bow Kid lifts her nappied bottom as mum pulls the trackies up over her, before doing the cord up for her in a bow. She then helped Bow Kid upright and helped pull the dress up over Bow Kid’s head before helping her with the t-shirt.

You could remember back to a time when mum still helped you dress like that, and while maybe you wouldn’t want to do it all the time, it did seem nice to do at least occasionally.

“So, you’re the cute kitty cat tonight?” mum asked you.

You blush faintly.

“Yep.”

Mum smiled at you.

“Well, come on then, lets get you ready.”

You suddenly realise your heart is pounding. It’s a mixture of crazy embarrassing and at the same time it seems really nice to be looked after. Having to think about it, you put a foot forward and walk over. Lying down in front of mum, you wonder if there’s anything you need to do. You’re in shorts and not a dress, so does that complicate things.

Looking up, mum unfolds the nappy and lays it next to you. You try not to think too much about it as mum unbuttons your shorts, so you look to your side at the nappy. Reaching out, you lift it up slightly, letting you see the pastel pink and blue design of Minnie Mouse. Realising how cute it is, your heart seems to swell slightly, enough that you barely think about mum tugging off your undies.

When you look up, you notice that Bow Kid is sitting next to you, looking at you with a reassuring smile. At the sound of tape, you look down to see mum finishing up. The nappy around your is tight but secure.

“Can you pass me the PJs?” Mum asks Bow Kid before looking down at you with a soft smile. “It’s been a few years, but I still remember how I used to do up your nappy.”

You blush at the mention, averting your eyes to follow the PJs being passed over you. Mum holds them up for a second to get them around the right way and then pulls the zipper down. Flipping them around again, you remember the zipper goes at the back on Bow Kid’s jammies. Then, mum threads your feet through the holes.

Pulling them up to your thighs, mum pulls you upright and then gets to her feet, pulling you so you’re standing. She tugs the PJs up over your nappy before lifting your t-shirt up over your head. Your try to get your arms through the arm holes, but the back-opening clothes are a bit unusual to you and you struggle slightly to Bow Kid’s giggle. Soon, mum helps you with them, and then turning around, mum pulls the zipper up over your nappy and up to your collar.

“All done. How does that feel?” mum asks.

You squirm slightly in your nappy and onesie. You can feel the slightly bulk of the nappy between your lets and you’re sure the PJs are holding the nappy securely against you. It feels nice though — nice and secure.

Not sure how to voice it however, you nod. Glancing at Bow Kid, she gives you a thankful smile, stepping closer to you. She pulls you into a hug which you easily return affectionately.

Mum’s doing something on her computer while you sit cross-legged on your padded bottom. The nappy securely around you is nice. Looking over at Bow Kid (her bow needed readjusting after changing into her PJs), you can see the top of her nappy peeking out of her waistband. She yawns and catches your eyes, smiling at you before turning back to her careful fabric cutting.

“Does your mum do it the same?” you ask.

Bow Kid thinks for a moment.

“Sometimes,” she replies. “But sometimes I get my own undies off first.”

Knowing mum will send you both to bed soon, you decide to find out if there’s a movie on TV, because then you might get to stay up later. Bow Kid perks up as you fiddle with the remote and start browsing through the channels. It doesn’t take long to find Finding Nemo.

“Have you seen this?” you ask Bow Kid.

“I think so,” she replies uncertainly.

Her eyes on the TV, she puts down her scissors. It doesn’t take long for Bow Kid to find herself enjoying the movie. It’s cut short by an ad break. Bow Kid frowns.

“I hate ads,” she grumbles.

It’s the strongest denouncement you’ve ever heard her made. You think for a moment.

“I think we’ve got the DVD of this,” you say, getting to your feet.

Going over to the shelf, you scan the titles until you find.

“Here!” you say, pulling it out. You quickly load up the DVD and have the movie going before the annoying adverts are even over. “Wanna sit on the couch?” you ask.

Looking up from where she was laying on the floor, Bow Kid nods and gets up to join you. You cuddle next to her to enjoy the film.

By the time Marlin and Dory are trying to carry the mask with the address on it, mum comes into the lounge room to tell you it’s time for bed.

“But mum, we’re watching a movie,” you say.

Mum sighs.

“Okay, but you have to go straight to bed afterwards,” she says. As you nod, she picks up the remote, pausing the film. “But I want you two to brush your teeth now.”

You and Bow Kid agree, and get up to brush your teeth. As you do so, you watch Bow Kid yawn again. She looks a bit tired, but is still smiling. Soon you’re back on the couch cuddling.

As you watch Nemo tell the school of fish to swim down to escape the net, you glance at Bow Kid only to realise she’s fast asleep on your shoulder. She’s always cute, but again you’re reminded how cute she is sleeping. You barely notice the credits rolling as you watch her, cuddle against her side. It’s comfy.

“Now, it’s time for bed,” mum says, making you jump slightly.

She’s smiling, but you can tell she won’t be up for any more arguments about staying up — and to be fair, Bow Kid is asleep, or was as she blinks the tiredness out of her eyes.

“Time for bed?” she asks tiredly.

“Yep.”

As you stand up, she follows slightly more unsteadily. Mum is waiting, obviously intent on making sure you do go to bed.

“Do you need a change, sweetie?” Mum asks as you get to your room.

Looking over your shoulder in confusion, you’re pretty certain you hadn’t used your nappy.

“I’m okay,” say Bow Kid quietly.

Mum gives her a kind smile.

“If you’re wet, you will need a change.”

Bow Kid shuffles slightly at your side.

“Well…”

“Let me get you a fresh nappy.”

Mum urns back towards the lounge room and after a moment wondering where you should go, decide to guide Bow Kid to your room. Turning your light on, you think you can see Bow Kid’s nappy bugling slightly. She’s blushing embarrassedly, so you pull her into a hug.

“Lay down on the bed and I’ll get you into a dry nappy.”

Looking at mum, you can see two nappies, however.

“Do you need a change too, sweetie?”

“Oh, um — I’m dry,” you say, blushing.

At those words, it occurs to you that you do need to go to the loo, but isn’t that’s what your nappy is for?

Mum accepts your words as Bow Kid lays down. Rather than pull the trackies off, mum only pulls them down to her knees, exposing the visibly wet nappy. There’s enough room then for mum to untape it and put a fresh nappy underneath her. Soon, Bow Kid is securely taped up in a dry nappy.

There’s a round of goodnights as mum turns off the light.

“You okay?” Bow Kid asks, you’re not sure how long later.

You hadn’t gotten to sleep yet, the discomfort in your bladder having risen to the point where you just couldn’t. You knew you just had to go in your nappy, but for some reason you just couldn’t. You had initially thought it was the fact you were on your side, cuddling with Bow Kid, your legs mostly together, so you fidgeted and squirmed, lifting your legs so there was space to go. But you still couldn’t.

You feel guilty knowing your movement kept Bow Kid up.

“I need to pee,” you admit after a moment.

“Oh,” Bow Kid replies. You can see you eyes shine even in the low light. “Like, you want to get up and go to the loo?”

You were supposed to say yes, but you know Bow Kid sometimes goes because it’s easier. She admitted that last sleepover, and for the same reasons don’t want to.

“No.” You try to think. “I just can’t go,” you admit quietly.

You can see Bow Kid chew her lip, clearly thinking.

“The — the first time I tried to go, it was hard,” she admitted. “It was like I knew I wasn’t supposed to go there.”

“Oh,” you say in understanding. That made sense.

“It’s… easier on your back,” suggest Bow Kid.

Untangling yourself from her, you roll on to your back, your bladder ending warning signals as you do even though you can’t go. You try to relax and go again, but it’s still hard. You are aware of Bow Kid next to you, awake, and wonder if that makes it harder. After a few moments however, she shuffles closer to you.

“Try to imagine you’re on the toilet,” she says sleepily.

You close your eyes and try to tell yourself that, slowly relaxing. After a few seconds, you suddenly feel a spurt escape you. You freeze and the flow halts in its tracks. You can feel the little bit of encouraging wetness and try again. You can imagine your toes brushing to cool tiled floor and the slight chill of the room, and slowly the flow begins.

It’s a relief on your aching bladder, and you add some encouraging pressure. You can feel the liquid hit your nappy, some of it splashing back. It runs down between your legs and down your bum, pooling on top of the padding slightly. It’s warm and your can feel the nappy swell between your legs, the flow seeming to go on forever.

You sigh, your bladder happy, as the flow drops to a trickle. You lay there happily for several minutes before reaching for your nappy and giving it an experimental squish with your fingers. It’s warm hugs you nicely. Rolling and cuddling back up to Bow Kid, the warm nappy squishing between your thighs, before drifting off to sleep.

The next morning you wake to Bow Kid watching you, a smile on her face. It’s a nice sight to wake to.

“Sleep well?” she asks.

“Yeah,” you happily reply, your arms tightening around her.

“You’re wet?”

Though you doubt Bow Kid can see it wish your face in her t-shirt, you blush at her words.

“Yeah,” you say again.

Bow Kid lightly giggles.

“Thanks,” she says honestly. “Thanks for… being my friend.”

You hum positively at her words, your face still in her shirt, when something warm and wet touches your forehead. You blink up at a slightly blushing Bow Kid and realise she kissed you on the forehead. You smile back reassuringly.

“It was —” You want to say it’s nice being in a nappy, but instead settle on, “— nice to not have to get out of bed to… you know.”

Bow Kid nods, chewing her lips.

“I’m — I’m actually dry.”

“Is that common?” you ask.

Bow Kid shakes her head.

“Not really. I need to go, though.”

You wonder for a moment if she’ll just go there, but a thought occurs to you.

“I’ve got a weird question,” you start with.

“I trust you; you can ask me anything, Hat Kid.”

It makes you feel warm to know she trusts you that much. You try to muster up your courage. It is weird though.

“Can I… watch?” you ask timidly, your face going red. “I — I’m curious… what it looks like.”

Bow Kid goes red in the face too, chewing her lip nervously. As you begin to cringe, wondering why you even asked that , Bow Kid nods.

“If it’s too embarrassing…” you suggest.

Bok Kid shakes her head.

“No, it’s… okay,” she replies, looking deep in thought. “Do you need to go, again?”

You squirm. You probably could.

“Yeah.”

“Can I… watch?” she asks.

It seems fair. You nod.

“Do we get up?” you ask.

You’re not sure what to do, but you guess Bow Kid needs to take her trackies off, and you… need to get the onesie off. As you watch Bow Kid get out of bed, you can see her nappy peeking out of her waist band again. You do the same, standing upright with a wet nappy bulging between your legs.

Clenching your thighs together, you can squeeze the wet mass between your legs. It’s still comfortably warm.

“Um — can you help me?” you ask to Bow Kid’s confusion. “With the zipper?”

You meet Bow Kid halfway, at the foot of your bed. Turning around, you let her unzip you. You can feel the tightness of the fabric over your nappy go away as the zipper moves, suddenly making the nappy feel heavier on your hips.

Turning around with the onesie mostly still on, you find Bow Kid kicking off her trackies. She’s blushing and fidgeting nervously. Deciding to get it over with, you shrug off the sleeves and push the onesie down, steeping out of it. You feel as nervous as Bow Kid looks, standing there in just a wet nappy.

“What do we do?” you ask.

Bow Kid is still chewing her lip.

“Maybe… squat down?”

You slowly do so, the Nappy beginning to feel like it’s hanging below you as Bow Kid does the same. Her nappy is obviously dry.

Suddenly, you feel like you might loose you balance and fall onto your padded bum, but Bow Kid’s hand reaches out to grab you. You hold her hand and meet her eyes.

“Can we —” Bow Kid draws in a deep breath. “I don’t think I can hold it for much longer,” she admits, a touch to of desperation in her voice.

You nod.

This position is way easier than last night, and with the already wet nappy, it feels much easier to just let it out.

Watching Bow Kid’s nappy, she pulls up her t-shirt, giving you a better view. It’s almost weird to see, but the wrinkled nappy starts to expand, the outer plastic going taught. From your own nappy is the audible tinkle of the liquid splashing inside.

Bow kid is red in the face, her breathing deep, and so is your own you realise.

She suddenly lets out a relieved sigh, closing her eyes, her nappy looking heaving and hanging on her waist. She does this little wiggle, causing the bulk to swing slightly. She has an embarrassed but pleased smile on her face when she meets your eyes.

“All done?” she asks.

You nod and you both carefully get to your feet, the nappy feeling even heavier.

Suddenly, you’re both laughing.

T_T_T

Bow Kid puts her dress back on, still wearing her wet nappy underneath. You think about putting your shorts from last night on, wondering if they’d even fit over your nappy when Bow Kid holds up her PJs.

“It’s cute,” she insists.

You take her word for it as she zips you up, the onesie making your nappy feel more secure as you both head out into the lounge room.

Mum isn’t up yet, so you and Bow Kid settle in to watch some TV. You turn the volume down to not wake mum and take a spot on the carpet in front on the TV, lying on your stomachs, your feet swinging in the air. You watch half of the cartoon that was going when you turned the TV on, then watched the whole next one.

Mum still wasn’t up, but it was her day off, so she was probably sleeping in.

“Hungry?” you ask Bow Kid.

“A bit.”

Before the next show can come on, you wonder if there’s any breakfast stuff that you can make. There’s probably cereal and bread in the cupboard or some yogurt in the fridge.

“Lets get some food,” you say, climbing to your feet.

Standing up, you can see Bow Kid’s dress has ridden up while her legs swung in the air, exposing her nappy. Giggling, you take her hand as she wonders what’s funny.

“I can see your nappy!” you sing song.

Bow Kid gives you an embarrassed smile, then something bolder crosses her face.

“Boop, boop!” she goes, suddenly swatting you lightly on your nappied bum, each hand in time to the sound.

The surprise makes you jump slightly before you both break out into giggles.

In the kitchen, you ask Bow Kid what she wants to eat.

“Ooh! Mango jam!” she says, spotting it among the jars you pulled out of the cupboard. “Lets try that.”

You have to stand on your tippy toes to reach the toaster, but soon you’ve got toast going and plates out. While you’re waiting, you poke around in the fridge to find some apple juice there and pour you and Bow Kid a glass each. Once it’s done, you spread butter and jam on your toast before taking both back to the lounge room for more cartoons. You’ve only missed the first few minutes of the next cartoon as you reclaim your position on the carpet.

“Mmm — I’ve never had mango jam before,” says Bow Kid as she bites into her next slice.

“Yeah, it’s good.”

Once you’ve finished you push your plate away. It knocks over your glass.

Your freeze for just a moment, realising how close you just got to making a huge mess on the carpet. Thankfully, you already finished the apple juice and nothing spills.

Looking at Bow Kid, she’s looking between your toppled glass and her half-full one with worry.

“Are we… allowed to eat here?” she carefully asks.

You have an uncomfortable look on your face. The dry food was probably okay if you didn’t make a mess, but mum would normally insist that glasses go on the coffee table and not the carpet where they can get knocked over. She would make an exception for just water, but not sticky things and definitely not milk.

“Sort of,” you tell her. “Toast is okay… but I’m not supposed to have sticky drinks on the carpet.”

Bow Kid gives you a guilty look, but that’s not fair to her because you didn’t tell her, which makes you feel guilty.

“Should we take this back to the kitchen?” she asks.

You probably should. You nod.

You both get up and Bow Kid takes the opportunity to drain her apple juice. As you walk to the kitchen however, you realise you really need to go potty, and not the wet kind of potty. You’re not sure what to do though; you need someone to unzipper you and then you need to get the nappy off. But laying down seemed to have hidden the need, and even this very short walk back to the kitchen is enough movement to get your bowels moving. B the time you’re putting your plates in the sink, you really need to go.

You can barely think as you quickly say, “I’ve got to go to the loo,” before power walking to the bathroom.

Closing the door behind you, you remember you need help to get your onesie off and turn to open the door, but suddenly you feel it. You can feel that you are really close to pooping yourself. You panic, clenching your muscles to stop what your body is trying to do as you fumble with the door handle. When you get it open, you’re about to cry out for help when you remember mum is still asleep.

There are several agonising seconds as you consider walking back to the kitchen to ask for help, but another contraction and another attempt to clench tells you that’s a really bad idea. You’re certain that walking will make this worse.

“Can — can I get some help?” you desperately cry out, your hands grasping the edge of the door in a white-knuckled grip.

There’s a second or two before you hear a response of, “Yeah?”

“I need some help — help with the zipper.”

You want Bow Kid to come running, but when she doesn’t appear a few seconds later you realise she hasn’t noticed your urgency.

“Please, come quickly!” you cry.

You can feel your eyes tearing up in humiliation, in knowledge that you’re on the verge of messing yourself. Hoping that Bow Kid is coming quickly, you try to walk back towards the toilet. It’s difficult; you can feel the mess trying to escape as you do.

You vaguely register the sound of the door opening and glance over your shoulder. Feeling utterly terrified that you were about to humiliate yourself in front of your friend, you can see her own face is laced with worry. A few agonising seconds and Bow Kid unzips the PJs. With the zipper undone, your tug at the sleeves to get the garment off and shuffle some more, closer to the toilet.

Your arms now free, you push the onesie down over your nappy, squatting slightly as you do so. This was a mistake, you suddenly realise, feeling the mess begin to peek out of your behind. You pull in a shocked, ragged breath, your eyes swimming with tears as you stand straight up.

Bow Kid is looking at you in worry, clearly unsure what to do.

Your insides clench again, more painfully this time as you halt the progression of the mass. You take one, then two, deep breaths, before carefully pushing your PJs down, trying to not bend over as you do so. Now you need to get your nappy off.

It’s obviously wet, the decorative designs on it faded, but you can barely think about that as you are reminded that you need to go, so you tug at the tapes and the nappy drops fee, lading on your PJs around your ankles.

As your bum finds the toilet seat, you can feel the mess already escaping you. You give a pained sigh of relief as you lookup to see Bow Kid leaving you alone to your business. In a mixture of relief and shame, you start to cry.

You sit on the loo far long that you really need to, unable to face Bow Kid after your almost accident.

Crazy replays of the situation run through your mind. Some see you be a big girl that doesn’t need help, the visit to the toilet being like any other. Others see you mess your nappy as Bow Kid struggles to get your zipper down, before she turns her nose up at you in disgust. For a fleeting moment, another sees you go in your nappy in the lounge, neither of you having any care in the world.

As you wonder what Bow Kid would think of you for having a messy accident, there’s a knock at the door and it opens slightly. Nobody peeks in.

“Um — do you need some help?” Bow Kid asks unsurely.

You realise she’s talking about the zipper.

“J-just a second,” you reply.

You’ve got to wipe your bottom, you realise, standing up. As you do so, you realise you also need to put the wet nappy somewhere other than on top of your PJs. Gingerly, your grab the font and back of the nappy by the plastic and place it next to the loo, unsure what to do with it, and then wipe your bottom.

After pulling the PJs up and threading your arms through the holes, you realise that maybe you should have wiped your other bits down before putting the PJs back on, but it’s too late now. With fear of a thousand different ways Bow Kid could hate you for being like this going through your mind, you walk to the bathroom door with trepidation.

What greets you is a worried face; Bow Kid’s eyes clearly wet. She nervously takes your upper arms and direct you to turn for her, before she pulls the zipper up for you. Then there’s a nervous moment before she turns you back around and pulls you into a hug. A hiccupy-sob escapes you as you hug her back.

“Are you — are you okay?” she asks worriedly, her face streaked with tears.

You nod your own tear-streaked face, the hug having evaporated your worries about Bow Kid hating you for this, but still feeling embarrassed by it.

“You shouldn’t be embarrassed,” she tells you quietly. “After everything you’ve done for me, I couldn’t…” she trails off.

But you get her meaning, giving her a wet, thankful smile, sniffling slightly as you do so. Bow Kid hugs you again.

T_T_T

Sensing your need, you’d returned to the lounge and cuddled on the couch together, using the cartoons to distract yourself from what had happened.

“Have you ever… done that in your nappy?” you ask, your voice strained.

Bow Kid nods, nervously swallowing as she did, clearly embarrassed by the admission.

“Before I outgrew my old jammies,” she said. “It was like my cat-ear jammies —” the ones you wore now “— and after I got some normal jammies.” You were curious how she ended up with this type again, though. Sensing your question, Bow Kid continued. “I got the cat-ears for the sleepover.” Bow Kid seems to fidget against you. “I was more worried about it being seen than having a messy accident.”

That made sense.

“Was it bad?” you cautiously ask. “The accident, I mean.”

Bow Kid chews her lip as she thinks.

“It was embarrassing.”

That you understood. You wished it weren’t embarrassing, that your friend never worried, but you knew that she had probably been as terrified as you had been. You cuddled into your friend some more, hoping to convey the reassurance you wanted to give her.

You found yourself wondering if the rest was bad though. It was no-doubt embarrassing, but was being messy otherwise bad? Smelly, probably, but… You’re not sure where you are going with that. Maybe if it weren’t embarrassing, you’d try it and see what it was like. But it seems a bit silly, something no one should want to try, right?

But still, you’re curious. Slowly, you muster up the courage to ask.

“Was the rest of it bad?” you ask, unable to look her in the eyes as you did.

When you finally look up, Bow Kid seems nervous. She fidgets slightly.

“N-not really. It was smelly and I didn’t want to wake mummy, so I went back to bed.” Bow Kid seemed to be in deep thought. She looked sad, renewed worry on her face. You gave her a worried smile back.

“Promise me, if I-I have a messy accident… that it will be okay?” she asks, her voice tinged with quiet desperation.

Of course. How could that ever be in doubt?

But you worried the same thing, didn’t you? That Bow Kid would think of you as a little baby who pooped a nappy like a baby, that she wouldn’t want to be friends with a baby. You can feel your eyes wet again as you give her a small smile.

“I promise,” you tell her.

A silly thought occurs to you, causing you to give something that sounds like a sob and a giggle mixed together.

“I promise, you could mess your nappy on purpose and I’d still be your friend.”

Bow Kid blinks at your response for a moment before blushing. Suddenly, she yawns. The giggles return.

“I promise as well.”

T_T_T

“Were we too loud?” Bow Kid asks with a hint of worry.

“Hmm?” asks mum. “No, I had earplugs in. I figured you two might be a bit noisy this morning,” she continues with a knowing look.

That explains why you didn’t wake mum this morning.

She stares at you for a moment.

“Is that your nappy in that bathroom?” mum asks, directing the question at you.

You blush and nod.

“I think I’ll have to get a nappy bin, then.” Now she directs herself at Bow Kid. “Are you still in your nappy, sweetie?”

Bow Kid nods as well.

“I wasn’t sure where to put it.”

Mum hums in agreement.

“I’ll get a bin to put in the bathroom this afternoon. I think the bin by the loo is a bit small for it.”

Bow Kid jumped.

“Ahhhh!” she screamed.

You jump to your feet to find her standing away from the sandcastle. As you wisely move away as well, Bow Kid steps cautiously forward, eyes wide, peering down at something. That something being a pair of claws extending from the opening of the shell.

“Wow, a hermit crab!” Bow Kid exclaims.

You lean in closer. It certainly looks like it with the claws and all.

“Should we put it back in the water?” you wonder.

“I think so. I think they need water.”

Bow Kid reaches down, picking the hermit crab up from the clawless end of the shell.

“What about the pool?” you suggest.

Stepping over the castle wall, she carefully lowers the hermit crab into the water, resting it on the sandy bottom. But she watches a moment, frowning.

“No, I think it’s too warm for it.”

“Oh,” you say, stepping your feet into the pool.

It does feel warmer than the ocean, but you have no idea if that’s too warm. Still, you don’t want to hurt it, so as Bow Kid picks it up, you follow her back into the ocean.

“There you go!” she says, putting the hermit crab near a large underwater rock.

It’s hard to make out, but you think you see the hermit crab scurry under the rock.

Bow Kid’s smile is wonderfully radiant.

T_T_T

You and Bow Kid are ready for lunch by the time mum tells you to finish up. It’s getting really hot and you can see people either leaving or going into the water to cool off. Packing up your things, you follow mum up to the carpark where there’s a public shower.

The water is cold as you rinse the salt out, but the cold water is okay on a day like today and mum will probably tell you to have a proper bath tonight because there’s probably still sand in your hair. When everyone is rinsed off, you trek back to the car, letting you dry off. Getting changed is easy as all you have to do is push your bathers off your shoulders, throw on your dress, get your bathers off your lower half and slip on some undies. Mum then puts the wet bathers in a bag. Lastly, you help Bow Kid adjust her ever important bow.

“How does fish and chips sound for lunch?” mum asks as she checks your seatbelt.

“That sounds nice,” says Bow Kid.

“Yeah,” you agree.

Mum skips the first two fish and chip places because there are like a thousand people at each one, all trying to get lunch after the beach. Instead, mum drives in the direction of the shops, stopping at a busy but not packed place.

“I wonder if they have a hermit crab?” Bow Kid asks as you both gaze into the fish tank in the fish and chip shop.

There are several colourful fish swimming about and even some snails. One of the snails is cutting a path through the light film of algae on the glass.

“Hmm,” you hum in concern. “I hope they don’t eat these fish,” you say.

Bow Kid joins you in a disapproving hum.

“That would be weird,” she comments.

“What have they got in there?” Mum asks, leaning down to your level.

“Just some fish,” Bow Kid replies.

“And some snails,” you add, pointing at the one on the glass.

“No hermit crabs.”

“Hermit crabs?” mum asks questioningly.

“Yeah, we found one at the beach!” says Bow Kid enthusiastically.

There’s a small flash of surprise on mum’s face.

“Really? I’ve never seen one at the beach — well, not around here anyway. I have seen one in the tropics.”

“Yeah, it had claws and everything,” you explain.

“We put it back,” says Bow Kid happily.

As your order is called, mum goes to pick it up. You catch Bow Kid yawning.

“Tired?”

She shakes her head.

“Nope, all good.”

Mum leads you to a nearby park where the three of you can eat at a picnic table.

T_T_T

Mum lets you buys some buttons that you think will look really cool on Bow Kid’s cardigan as she shops for a nappy bin.

Once you move onto the supermarket, she lets the pair of you stand on the front of the trolley, mum wheeling you about as she grabs things off the shelves. Mum doesn’t stop as she goes past the nappies on the shelf and you figure mum knows there’s enough to last for now. You do wonder what other types are like though.

As mum browses the fresh fruit, picking which ones she thinks is best, you and Bow Kid get off and go looking around. There are some vegetables you don’t think you’ve ever tried before and you wonder if Bow Kid has tried them.

“Weird,” you say, looking at the bell-shaped vegetable. It even had a flat bottom.

“They’re squash,” Bow Kid explained.

“Weird,” you say again. “You had them?”

Bow Kid nods.

“Yeah, mum sometimes cooks them.” When you ask what they are like, Bow Kid replies, “sort of like pumpkin —” she shrugs “— but not really.”

Bow Kid yawns again, more loudly than last time. You give her a quizzical look, but she shakes her head, smiling all the way.

“There you are,” says mum, spotting the two of you. “Try not to wander off so far, okay?”

The rest of the shopping is uneventful and soon you and Bow Kid are being buckled up into your seats again. You’re only a few minutes out of the car park when you look over at Bow Kid to find she’s fast asleep in her seat. She’d yawned all day and clearly tired after last night, so you leave her be.

That may have been a mistake, when only a few minutes from home, you hear a sharp intake of breath.

“Oh no,” she says in a fearful whisper.

Bow Kid looks horrified as her hands go to her crotch to try stymie the flow. Mum doesn’t miss the spectacle and quickly pulls over. You can see tears in Bow Kid’s eyes so you undo your restraints and get out of your seat, slipping into the centre seat to be nearer to her. Bow Kid has closed her eyes, her face blotchy in embarrassment. You probably can’t take her hand right now, so you instead loop your arm through hers. Sniffling, she blinks back at you.

“Do you still need to go, sweetheart?” mum asks.

Bow Kid sobs, shaking her head as mum nods sadly in understanding.

“Lets get you home, then.”

Mum stares at you for a moment.

“Come on, you have to get back in your seat. We’ll be home in a minute or two.”

With visible reluctance you slip your arm out and take your seat. When mum pulls the car into the driveway, she helps Bow Kid out of the car. She’s shaking as you try to hug her.

“N-no, I’m — I’m all wet,” she protests, stepping away.

You shrug before hugging her anyway. Bow Kid initially freezes, but after a few moments’ melts into your hug, sniffling over your shoulder. You can feel her wet clothes wetting your dress, but it doesn’t matter right now. It hurts to see Bow Kid hurt, you realise, your own eyes watering. She has fast become one of your best friends.

Over her shoulder, you can see mum removing her car seat. Mum sets it next to the car before giving you a small sad smile.

“I guess you two can have a bath now.”

Mum gets the hot water going before leaving you to help Bow Kid out of her wet clothes. You put her still dry bow safely on the edge of the bathroom sink, before helping her keep her wet dress off her face as she pulls it off over her head.

“Remember,” you whisper, “I promised I’d never care about this. You’re still my friend.”

Sniffling, Bow Kid nods her tear-streaked face as she gives you a sad, thankful smile.

Bow Kid’s eyes were still red, but you finally got her giggling as your tried to replicate her head of curls with some bubbles. She follows it by trying to make a bubble moustache.

“Aww,” she says as the bubbles seem to run down to her chin. “Plegh!” she then cries, sticking out her tongue. “They don’t taste very good.”

You giggle back before an idea comes to mind. You scoop up some bubbles and then try to attach then to Bow Kid’s chin.

“A beard?” she asks.

“Yep,” you reply. But it seems the movement is a problem, because about half the beard falls off.

“Kids?” comes mum’s voice as she knocks on the door.

She looks in, a soft smile on her face.

“Are you alright, sweetheart?” mum ask.

She gives mum a small smile as a nod.

“All because Hat Kid was there to save me!” she insists.

You beam and Mum laughs, catching your eyes. Stepping closer, she crouches down to your level next to the bath.

“Now, I hope you don’t think badly about this, but I was thinking — just for today — that we get you in a nappy,” mum suggests.

Something crosses Bow Kid’s face at the suggestion, before she sideways looks at you. You try to look back reassuringly. She looks slightly nervous.

“Just for today?” she asks uncertainly.

Mum nods.

“Yep. Just in case you fall asleep again. I know you were terribly embarrassed about your accident in the car and I know that you’re probably still very tired, so I thought it would be a good idea just in case you fall asleep again before bed.”

Bow Kid glances at you again. You try to smile, giving her the smallest nod.

“O-okay,” she mumbles, blushing slightly.

You slip up next to her, your shoulder touching hers.

“You don’t need to worry,” you tell her, nodding with certainty.

It sounds nice to not have to worry about that sort of stuff. Bow Kid gives you a thankful smile.

“Yep,” mum adds. “No one is going to think badly about it.”

“Thank you,” she says quietly.

“Now, before that, do you have to go to the toilet?”

Bow Kid fidgets slightly in embarrassment.

“Maybe.”

“Alright, so once you’re out of the bath and gone to the loo, we’ll get you in a nappy.” Mum looks at you. “What about you?”

You shake your head.

“I’m okay.”

T_T_T

Once you dry off and have a huge towel around each of you, Bow Kid goes off to the loo. Wondering if mum will put you in a nappy while she waits for Bow Kid, you go in search of her. You bump into mum just outside the bathroom door. She’s got the plastic bag of nappies in one hand and leads you to your room with the other, the hand on your back.

“Are you okay with this, sweetie?” she kindly asks.

You’re first instinct is to say yes . It’s been nice so far being looked after, other than the near miss this morning. But Bow Kid had been there for you, just like you had been there for her. But you weren’t sure mum would like it if you wanted that; you were supposed to be a big girl, and want to be a big girl.

“It’s… important,” you say, thinking it over. “I want Bow Kid to be happy.”

Mum gives you a small smile.

“You’re my very brave little girl, aren’t you?” she says with a touch of pride. “I know this can be a bit embarrassing — for both of you — but I’m very proud of you for caring about your friend so much.”

You blush, fidgeting in embarrassment at mum’s praise.

“Thanks,” you say quietly.

“I really mean it. Not many girls your age would do this, or not mind that their friend has a little problem.”

You nod slightly, wondering why that was the case. It seemed so cruel, so horrible, that someone might like them anymore because they wore a nappy to bed. Friends were important. Just the thought of someone doing that to a friend was painful.

“Anyway, hop up on your bed and I’ll get you ready.”

Your towel still around you, you shuffle up your bed and lay down. You watch as mum pulls a nappy out of the packet and unfolds it before setting the packet on the bed. Your curiosity overcoming your embarrassment and partly to hide your face, you reach out for the bag and take a look at it.

There’s a cute girl a bit younger than you on the front. In the corner, it says Size 6 (16+ kg) 24 Nappies . They smell kind of nice, but you’re not really sure what they smell of, besides that these might just be what nappies smell like.

“I would get you two pullups for during the day so you can go to the loo in them, but a packet would be a bit of a waste just for one day.”

Blushing, you keep the packet between your face and mum.

“So… what should I do then?” you carefully ask.

Mum chuckles.

“I’m not sure how well these will retape,” she replies. “If you want, I can try get them back on or get you a new nappy, but you might as well just go in them.” She laughs. “I’m going to be changing nappies anyway; being wet doesn’t change that.”

That makes sense… and lets you use the nappy, like you wanted. You can feel mum is now taping you up, her nappying slowing as she talked.

“So, what will it be, kiddo?”

You’re nervous to say the words, and instead try not to sound too keen.

“I’ll use it? — if that’s okay?”

Mum quietly laughs

“It’s okay, sweetheart,” she reassures you. “I did say it’s okay.”

Suddenly, mum tugs the packet of nappies out of your hand, smiling down at you reassuringly. You’re pretty sure mum knows why you were hiding your face behind it.

“I think you’ll use less nappies that way, too,” she continued, raising an eyebrow at you.

Mum did teach you not to waste things, and using your nappy a few times instead of getting a new one each time you went to the loo was less wasteful. You didn’t doubt that mum meant it that she hoped you wouldn’t be wasteful.

“O-okay,” you timidly agree.

There was a knock at the door before Bow Kid peeked in. You give her a wave as you sit up. The towel is still over your shoulders, but it’s plainly visible you’re nappied.

“Ready?” mum asks her as you get to your feet.

Bow Kid nods and steps into the room as you wonder what to wear.

You didn’t have loads of dresses and normally saved them for hot days like today. Looking through your drawers, you find a pair of shorts. Your nappy is a bit poofy so you’re not completely sure it will fit you right now, but you try anyway.

Surprisingly, it’s not that difficult to get your shorts up over your nappy. These shorts have a cord waist instead of a button, so you do that up in a bow. Fidgeting slightly, you realise it feels a bit different from just wearing a nappy and nothing like normally wearing shorts. It feels secure though and you don’t think it’s too obvious… except for the top of the nappy peeking out the top of your shorts. But that’s okay as you quickly find a t-shirt that covers it up.

Looking over, mum is getting the clothes Bow Kid has packed in her bag out. One is a skirt and a t-shirt and the other is another dress. Bow Kid would look cute in both, you think.

“The dress might be easier — for changes, I mean,” she offers, her voice strangely timid.

As you encouragingly sit on your bed next to her, you wonder why that’s the case. Bow Kid probably knows better than you, though.

“I don’t mind changing you in either, sweetie,” mum says kindly.

Bow Kid chews her lip before picking the skirt and mum leaves you two alone.

Bow Kid is still strangely timid as you both sit in the airconditioned lounge, sewing together her cardigan. The weather makes you realise that the cardigan is probably not summer clothing, but maybe she can wear it at night soon. You thought she was feeling happier during the bath, but her sullenness returns shortly afterwards. Still, you want to Bow Kid out of her funk, so you try asking her things.

“Why the skirt?” you ask.

She looks back uncertainly.

“What about it?”

You shrug.

“Like… for nappies.”

“Well — um,” she says, clearly trying to think.

After a moment she tugs her t-shirt up, exposing her nappy peeking over the waist of her skirt.

“So, I have to loosen it and pull it up because its tall .”

“Oh — okay,” you say, her words making a lot of sense.

You’d obviously have to take your shorts off for a change. Still, it didn’t spark any conversation. Instead, your worry grew. Eventually you, just had to ask.

“Are you okay?” you ask quietly, an obvious edge of worry in your voice.

Bow Kid frowns at the question, her eyes down at the sleeve she was sewing together.

“Yeah,” she replies.

The words hurt, because you know she isn’t. You can feel your eyes wetting, unable to respond when Bow Kid looks up at you. You can see her lips quiver as you try to swallow the lump forming in your throat. She sags, looking dejectedly at you.

“I’m sorry you got — got caught up in… all this,” she whispers, her voice sad.

You blink numbly back. That… wasn’t at all what was bothering you. You were sad because Bow Kid was sad. You liked the nappies and were happy to be caught up in it. You just didn’t want Bow Kid hurting; it was too painful to watch. You wanted her happy, with that infectious bright smile on her face, that smile that made you want to engulf her in a huge hug. You loved her, and watching someone you loved hurt so much, hurt you too.

“T-that’s fine,” you stammer out, suddenly feeling the tears coming. “I just want you to be happy. I’m sad because I —”

You come to a halt having decided what you’ll tell Bow Kid. Chewing your lip nervously, you look around, spotting mum on her computer. But not here — you won’t say it here where mum might hear it.

Getting to your feet, you hold your hand out for Bow Kid, a sad, slightly teary smile on your face. Taking your hand, you pull her to her feet and lead her to your room. Your arms are wrapped around her in your best impression of a bone-crushing hug the moment the door snaps shut. You try to strangle the sob forming.

“I don’t mind any of this — I like this,” you tell her adamantly. “You’re so important to me, and I want to see your happy — happy and smiling,” you add, a wet smile on your face.

Bow Kid sniffles, brushing away a tear with the back of her hand.

“Really?” she asks, her voice strangled.

“Really.” You nod.

“Even having to wear nappies?”

“I didn’t have to, but I wanted to.”

Bow Kid slowly nods, clearly thinking about your words.

You want to confess all, and tell yourself you will, but in the meantime, you procrastinate, leading Bow Kid to your bed where you both sit. Backs against the headboard, you cuddle up to her, suddenly feeling clarity. Clarity in that Bow Kid won’t think badly of you, and that she might even understand.

“I like this,” you tell her. “I — I like being in a nappy,” you quietly confess. “It’s nice. It’s really nice, and I get to be in one with you.” You place your head on her shoulder, your cheeks heating in embarrassment.

Bow Kid is silent for several seconds.

“You… want to be in a nappy?” she quietly asks, surprise tinging her voice.

“Yeah,” you breath. “It’s nice being looked after.”

“You’re not supposed to.” There’s no heat in Bow Kid’s words.

You shrug, lifting up your heat and giving her a small smile.

“So?”

She gives you a small, almost shameful smile.

“It has always sounded nice,” she confesses, her face flushing.

The words make your heart race, knowing Bow Kid thinks so too.

“I was glad when mum suggested it,” you add before frowning. “I wish you didn’t get hurt before it, but I do like it.” Your smile returning, you try to give her a reassuring look. “Besides, then you don’t have to worry about accidents anymore. I wish we’d been in nappies earlier, so that didn’t happen to you.”

Her smile got wider, more thankful.

“Yeah.” You pull Bow Kid back into a hug. “I just wish it could be forever.”

Her words ring true to your ears.

T_T_T

You and Bow Kid have her cardigan all sewed up by dinner time. You still need to add buttons and the kitty cats, but otherwise it’s ready for wearing.

Bow Kid’s eyes go wide as she puts on her home-made cardigan for the first time.

“Wow,” she whispers in awe. “This is so cool!”

You’re bouncing enthusiastically on your feet, enjoying the sight of Bow Kid trying it on for the first time. You make an affirmative hum as Bow Kid spins slightly, letting the cardigan and her skirt fly. The sight makes you giggle.

“Wow, that’s very good,” mum compliments as she comes into the lounge.

“You really think so?” Bow Kid asks, suddenly self-conscious about her work.

Mum glances at you, giving you a knowing look.

“Have you seen my daughter’s first attempts?” she asks humorously.

Bow Kid giggles.

“Yep!” she replies. “It’s bad.”

You try not to laugh as mum smiles knowingly.

“Now, do you two need a change?” she asks.

You squirm slightly, feeling the wet mass between your legs. You could feel how your wet nappy had swelled against your shorts, but it wasn’t tight or uncomfortable.

“Maybe?” you reply, not sure about it. Maybe your nappy was close to leaking, or maybe not. You didn’t really know yet.

“I’m okay for a bit,” says Bow Kid.

“Good until after dinner?” mum asks. “I think you two could do with an early bed tonight, so I can change you then.”

Bow Kid nods. “I’m okay,” she says more surely.

“What about you?” mum asks of you.

“I… don’t know.”

Having not gone to the loo beforehand, you’d only kept for nappy dry for a bit. So, maybe you’d gone more than Bow Kid.

“I’ll check then,” says mum.

You’re not sure what to do, so you just stand there blushing as mum pats your bum.

“It’s been a while, but I think you’ll be okay until after dinner.”

T_T_T

Even with the air conditioning going, it feels warm in your room. Bow Kid is readjusting her skirt over her fresh nappy, and you’re debating putting your shorts back on. Mum says that you’re off to bed as soon as you have both brushed your teeth.

“I’ll be back in five minutes, okay?” she tells you as she puts the wet nappies in some plastic bags.

Deciding it’s too warm, you forego the shorts and go brush your teeth dressed in just a nappy and t-shirt.

“I can see your nappy!” Bow Kid singsongs as she follows you into the bathroom.

You wiggle your bum, trying not to giggle behind a mouth of toothpaste.

You go back to brushing and after spitting it out, you look back to find Bow Kid undoing her skirt. She lets it drop to the floor before stepping up onto the bathroom step stool next to you.

“Now we’re the same,” she declares.

“Yep,” you reply, before wiping away the toothpaste.

You’re both just in a nappy and t-shirt as you cuddle up to each other in your bed. It feels right and comforting, and you’re certain you drift into a comfortable sleep before mum can come by and turn off the lights.

“Wakey, wakey.”

You dimly register the words before snuggling more deeply into your bedcovers. You can feel some hair tickling your nose, so without any thought brush it behind your ear and try to go back to sleep. But, even after rushing it away, it’s still tickling your nose. You can hear a light laugh as you groggily open your eyes to find your vision obscured by Bow Kid’s hair, and the source of whose hair was ticking your nose.

“Sorry, but you’re going to have to get up.”

You register the voice as mum’s.

“Mum — mummy ,” you say tiredly, shuffling up your pillow to look over Bow Kid.

As Bow Kid Stirs, you spot mum sitting at the edge of your bed in her PJs.

“Sorry, sweetie, but we’ve got to get up early today,” she says apologetically. “We’ve got to get to the shops to get some supplies before your friend gets here.”

Bow Kid pushes herself up, rubbing the tiredness out of her eyes.

“Oooh,” says Bow Kid in comprehension. “We’ve seeing Moustache Girl today!”

Mum laughs at the name.

“Come on, lets get you two some brekkie.”

Following mum to the kitchen, you both waddle behind her in your wet nappies. Mum gets some cereal from the cupboard and milk from the fridge, before setting out some bowls, letting you and Bow Kid pick your favourites.

“What do you think we could do today?” Bow Kid asks over breakfast as mum has a quick shower.

“There’s lots of stuff,” you reply. You don’t know exactly what you will do, but there are lots of things to do. “We could keep playing the spaceship game with the chef gangsters. We could also go an adventure. We could make costumes for an adventure too. There’s loads of stuff.”

Bow Kid seems to light up with each suggestion. She seems excited but also clearly thinking of other things you can do.

Soon, mum is back and changed into her clothes for the day. She’s still drying her hair with a towel when she smiles at the two of you.

“Lets get you two changed and dressed,” she says.

Going to your room, your mum gets Bow Kid in a clean nappy before moving onto you. She helps you get your PJ bottoms off and then makes quick work of your wet nappy.

“Have you got enough clean clothes, sweetie?” mum asks of Bow Kid.

“Umm —” she replies, before looking in her bag and pulling out a dress. “I’ve only got this,” she says, holding it up.

“Alright — when we get back, I’ll wash all your clothes.”

Mum then goes to your wardrobe and pulls some things out. After selecting a white t-shirt and a dark-purple romper, she helps you get into it.

“Got enough socks?” she asks Bow Kid again.

Bow Kid looks thoughtful before looking through her bag again. She eventually turns it upside down and shakes her head, looking slightly worried.

“It’s okay, there are plenty of clean socks around here,” your mum reassures her, patting the spot on the bed next to you.

As Bow Kid sits, mum goes to your drawers and grabs two pairs of socks. She helps Bow Kid get her shoes on, then helps you as well.

T_T_T

“So, I was thinking that you two might like to pick a nappy design.”

You’re waiting at the traffic lights, not far from the shops when mum asks you.

The question makes you give mum a surprised look before glancing at Bow Kid. She squirms slightly in a happy but slightly embarrassed way.

“What kind of designs?” you ask.

“All sorts,” Bow Kid explains. “But it’s been ages since I looked.”

Mum smiles at you from the rear-view mirror.

“I’m sure that you two will want to pick something cute out, right?”

It sounded nice, but at the same time, it was slightly embarrassing to think someone might see you with a big box of nappies. It seems to show on your face.

“Don’t worry, sweetheart. No one is going to care about the nappies.”

The words reassure you slightly, and you are further assured when you find Bow Kid smiling at you. You suddenly remember that Bow Kid’s mummy had bought her nappies loads of times.

“Okay, mummy,” you quietly agree, to Bow Kid’s wider smile.

Parking and then grabbing a trolley, you and Bow Kid ride on the front again as mum pushes you into the store. As she goes past, she grabs some things like bread and milk, before detouring past the snacks aisle. There she grabs some sweet things and some chips.

“For later,” she tells you.

Soon, she wheels you past the toothbrushes and shampoo, and into the nappy section. Getting off the trolley, you nervously look around, before Bow Kid surprises you and takes your hand.

You mum immediately grabs baby powder before looking over the other items. You’re not sure what the other packet of things she grabs is before she puts both in the trolley. After several seconds of scanning the shelves, mum crouches down to your level.

“I know you guys said you didn’t want pullups, but how about I get a small packet just for today? Then you won’t have to worry so much about getting changed while your friend is here.”

You glance at Bow Kid who is chewing her lip.

“They leak,” she says.

You mum gives her a kind smile.

“When you sleep on them?” mum asks her. “I think they’ll be okay if you’re standing up. This way you can slip into the bedroom and put on a dry nappy when you need to.”

It does sound like a good idea to you. This way you won’t need to go find mum to change you and then have to explain it to Moustache Girl.

“I’ll still get you tape-ups, so if it doesn’t work out, I’ll get you changed into them. Okay?”

“Okay,” Bow Kid agrees and you nod too.

Standing up, mum grabs a small packet of pull up nappies and puts them in the trolley.

“So, what nappies do you want?” Mum grabs some packs from the shelves and lets you get a look. “We’ve got Minnie Mouse, Disney Princess, and Sesame Street.”

Mum sets the packets down in front of you to take a look before turning back to the shelves.

“Ooh, I want this one,” says Bow Kid, holding up the princesses.

You smile alongside Bow Kid as she looks at the artwork.

“Now that’s cute,” says you mum, reaching for another packet.

She crouches down in front of you again and holds it up. The designs are of animals.

“These ones have got animal faces on your bum,” she explains humorously.

You giggle at that, quickly followed by Bow Kid. Bow Kid reaches out for the packet and mum hands it to her. Looking over Bow Kid’s shoulder, you can see what mum means.

“Can we get these?” Bow Kid asks.

You nod as well. They seem really cool.

“Sure can.”

Mum then picks up the other packets and sets them back on the shelve, as Bow Kid puts the packet in the trolley. Mum laughs lightly.

“I think we’ll need a bigger packet.”

You and Bow Kid look up at mum curiously.

“Twenty four is a lot, isn’t it?” you ask.

Mum smiles knowingly.

“You two easily need four nappies each per day,” she explains, holing up a hand. “That’s eight total per day. Eight plus eight is sixteen, and sixteen plus eight is twenty-four.” As she counts each lot of eight, she raises a finger for each day. She pauses a moment as you think about the maths. “So, that’s only three days.” She wiggles three fingers for emphasis.

Mum then pulls the packet out of the trolley and places it on the shelve, before grabbing a bigger box and putting it in the trolley.

“This box has got one-hundred and eight nappies in it.” That sounds like a really big number to you. “That’s enough nappies to keep you two dry for two weeks.”

At the checkout, you discover mum was right. The nice lady there gave you and Bow Kid a kind smile as she scans everything, and then mum wheels everything out to the car. Mum soon buckles you into your car seat, the straps squishing against your wet nappy and soon you are back off home.

Getting inside, mum sets the nappies down on the couch, then you and Bow Kid help her clean up the kitchens from breakfast.

“How long until Moustache Girl is here?” Bow Kid asks.

Mum hums, pulling out her phone.

“About twenty minutes,” mum tells you. “How about the two of you watch TV until she gets here?”

You both agree and head to the lounge. Not long afterwards, mum comes by with the nappies. Spotting your worry, she says, “I’ll put these in my room for the day, okay?” on the way past.

Not long afterwards, mum comes back with several nappies in hand.

“Lets get you two changed before you friend gets here.”

Following mum to your room, you realise she has the pullup nappies with her.

“Now, I’ll put two in your undies drawer, so you two can discreetly grab a change later.”

Nodding, you otherwise don’t know what you are supposed to do next.

“First, you’ve got to get your tape up nappies off, then you just have to step into the pullup. They’re just like putting on unties,” mum explains.

Glancing at Bow Kid, you realise that will be easy for her in a dress, but you have to get your rompers off all the way. It’s strangely frustrating to think how hard it is. Sensing your feelings, Bow Kid takes your hand as you sit on your bed and shimmy your romper off. Thankfully, it’s loose enough to slip over your shoes without taking them off.

Next, mum untapes your nappy before pulling you up.

“Grab onto my shoulders and step into it,” mum tells you.

It’s not hard to do, and soon mum pulls your nappy up between your legs. Fidgeting slightly, it’s not as secure around the waist, but it doesn’t feel like it will slip down, either. As you inspect your nappy, your mum turns your rompers right-side-out again and repeated the process.

Next, mum changes Bow Kid. After getting her wet nappy off, she far more easily steps into the dry pullup. It makes you wonder if you should change into a dress, but at the same time your romper feels more secure knowing your nappy won’t slip down your legs.

“Are you worried about it slipping off?” you ask Bow Kid when mum leaves you alone.

Bow Kid shrugs unsurely.

“I dunno,” she replies with an uncertain shrug. “It’s been ages since I wore one.”

You head back to the lounge to watch TV, waiting for Moustache Girl to get here. Eventually, you can hear mum’s phone ring. It feels like it has been way more than twenty minutes by this point.

“Their car won’t start,” says mum, coming into the lounge. For a moment, you worry Moustache Girl won’t visit today. “So, we’re going to pick your friend up,” mum continues to your relief.

You and Bow Kid follow your mum to the car and hop in. She quickly buckles the two of you up and your drive the short distance to Moustache Girl’s house. As mum brings the car to a stop, you can see a car with it’s bonnet up and a pair of legs sticking out from under the car. Nearby, Moustache Girl is sitting at the doorstep.

As soon as the car stops, you undo your buckles and open the door. Moustache Girl seems to brighten when she realises you are here. Glancing back, Bow Kid gets out of the car more slowly and your mum gives Moustache Girl a wave before heating over to the broken-down car.

“Take a look at this!” Moustache Girl says loudly, jumping to her feet.

Before you can close the distance and give your friend a hug, she picks up… a sword and shield. You do a double take, before realising they seem to be made from tape and cardboard.

“Oh — wow!” you exclaim.

Bow Kid is wide-eyed, staring at Moustache Girl as she slips her arm through the loops on her shield, before posing like a knight, sword drawn. Well, sort off. The polka-dot white-on-red dress she is wearing makes it slightly funny.

You feel giddy. It’s so cool.

“Where did you get that?” Bow Kid asks.

“ I made it,” Moustache states proudly.

“Wow,” Bow Kid says in awe.

Looking back, you can see Moustache Girl’s dad had gotten out from under his car and was chatting to mum.

“How’d you make it?” you ask.

“Ah — well, I took lots of cardboard and cut it all up, then I layered it in different directions.” She tucked her sword under her shoulder and held her hands out on top of each other, her fingers on each hand at right angles. “The I used lots of tape.” Moustache Girl paused in thought. “Oh — and for the sword dad got me a bit of wood to go in the middle so it didn’t bend, then I put cardboard on the outside and taped that too.”

For emphasis she tried bending her sword a bit before shrugging awkwardly.

“I used a lot of tape.”

You giggle at that. It did seem to have loads of tape on it.

It got you thinking too.

“Could you make — like — a helmet and stuff?”

Moustache Girl blinked, before looking at you, wide eyed.

“ Yeah! That’s a really good idea.”

Mum seemed to be finished talking to Moustache Girl’s dad when she called out to you.

“Kids? Are you ready to go?” she asked.

“Coming!” you reply.

As you head over to mum she turns back to Moustache Girl’s dad.

“Car seat,” she remembers.

Moustache Girl’s dad seemed like he wanted to move the seat from his car to your mums, so as he did, you took the opportunity to show Moustache Girl’s sword and shield to her.

“Wow, that’s really good,” she said to Moustache Girl turning the word over.

“ Mummy , do you know where we can get lots of cardboard?” you ask her.

Mum chuckles.

“Let me guess, you want to make one too?”

You smile expectantly, bouncing on your toes.

“Yep!” Bow Kid says off to your side.

“ Well ,” mum says, clearly thinking. “The fruit store has lots of boxes that people can take. It’s certainly better than throwing them in the bin.” Mum glances at Moustache Girl’s shield. “Don’t you need tape as well?”

“Ah huh,” Moustache Girl confirms.

“Packing tape seems to work well for wrapping everything,” Moustache Girl’s dad says, walking up to them. “I’ve got a roll of gaffer tape that seems to have worked for the arm loops.” He considers it a moment. “Let me go get that.”

When he comes back a minute later, his daughter gives him a hug and after a round of goodbyes, everyone gets in mum’s car.

“If we go to the discount store, we can get you girls lots of rolls of packing tape,” explains mum as she drives.

You like the discount store; there’s lots of arts and crafts stuff there, and it’s really cheap. They didn’t have everything , but it was still cool. You sometimes found really weird stuff there too. But the trip to the discount store is really short. You’d liked to have looked around, but you also really wanted to get home and make sword and shield, and a helmet, or maybe even armour .

It’s only another really short drive to the fruit store.

“Seems we’re in luck,” says mum as she brings the car to a stop by the side of the fruit store.

From your seat, you can see the big metal tubs filled with cardboard boxes. They were more like trays for holding fruit than boxes for send stuff in the mail in. There are probably hundreds of boxes there. Apparently, the tubs with the boxes in them are called bins , but it seems odd to you, as they didn’t have rubbish in them.

“How much do we need, sweetie?” mum asks of Moustache Girl as the four of you get out of the car. Being in the middle, Moustache Girl has to climb over your car seat to get out.

“Oh — um —” Moustache Girl stops and thinks. “I used five or six bits for my shield?”

Mum laughs.

“So, lots then.”

The description seemed to satisfy Moustache Girl who gave a big nod.

Mum opened the boot as you started piling boxes in. They weren’t heavy, but they were a bit bulky. Eventually they were stacked up so high in the back that you needed mum’s help to put more in.

Waiting for mum to finish, you barely think about it before going in your nappy. It’s not until you’re almost done when you remember that the nappy might leak, but clenching your thighs together slightly, you don’t feel anything like that. It doesn’t even feel all that different from your tape up nappy.

Moustache Girl lets you look at the shield again as the three of you sit in the loungeroom surrounded by boxes. There were still more in the car, but mum has said it was best to leave them there until you needed them, just in case you didn’t need them so they could be returned more easily.

Looking at the edge, you can make out all the layers through the clear packing tape. It’s easily as thick as your thumb, but that’s clearly a good idea as the shield doesn’t flap about at all — and you would know, because this wasn’t your first-time making things from cardboard for an adventure.

“Don’t some shields sort of —” Bow Kid motioned with her hands, her arms wide going down before curving and meeting in the middle. “Like pointy at the bottom?”

You nod.

“Yeah,” you agree, thinking about it.

Maybe you could look it up on mum’s computer?

“They’ve got round ones too,” Moustache Girl adds.

Bow Kid nodded at that.

“What about a sword?” you ask.

“Ah huh,” Moustache Girl replied, picking up her sword from the carpet. “This is my second one. My first sort’a worked, but then it got bent and it started to flop after that. So, dad gave me a stick to use — like one of those round sticks like you get at the hardware store.”

“Dowel,” interjected Bow Kid. “It’s called a dowel.”

Both you and Moustache Girl turn to Bow Kid in surprise. You didn’t know that.

“I think dad called it that?” Moustache Girl said uncertainly. “Or maybe he said towel? ”

You giggle. It sounded a bit silly.

“So, it goes in the middle?” Bow Kid asked.

“Yep, then you put two bits of cardboard on each side, and then I taped the edges together.”

“Then used loads of tape.” Bow Kid adds.

“Yep, so it doesn’t unstick.”

T_T_T

After asking mum, the three of you were allowed to go on her computer and look up shields.

“So, it’s not a kite shield?” asked Bow Kid, after finding the image.

“Maybe?” you reply uncertainly. There were loads of images and some said different things. “I think the really tall one is a kite shield?”

“That one there says a kite shield,” said Moustache Girl, pointing at the image on the screen.

It was of a really short shield that was sort of like Moustache Girl’s, but pointed at the bottom.

Still, you printed a couple of images out and the three of you went back to the lounge room. The boxes mostly had short sides and holes in the sides for carrying handles, but the bottoms were whole bits of cardboard. You could tell they used to have fruit in them because the one you had in front of you had a little sticky patch on it that smelt like oranges.

Cutting the sides off, you tried to draw the shape of your shield. It took a few goes to get the lines right and it looked a bit messy, but Moustache Girl pointed out that it won’t matter because you can put the pencil marks on the inside.

Looking up, you can see Bow Kid looking quite proud of only needing one try to get it right, but she was also a way better artist than you.

Unfortunately, the three of you learnt pretty quickly that bottom bit of cardboard was really thick and your scissors didn’t really work.

“This is way thicker than the boxes from home,” said Moustache Girl, examining the really rough cut. “It’s two layers.”

The sides were one layer and easy to cut, but the bottom is two layers.

“Maybe your mummy has bigger scissors?” Bow Kid suggested to you.

It seemed like a good idea, so the three of you got up to go look for her. Soon you found her in her study.

“Mummy — um —” you can see she looks a bit busy. “Can you help us with something? Please?”

Mum turns from her work computer and gives the three of you a smile.

“I can for a bit. What do you need?”

“We’re trying to cut some cardboard, but it’s way too thick,” Moustache Girl explained to yours and Bow Kid’s nods.

“Yeah, my scissors aren’t really working.”

“Sure thing,” mum replies, before opening her desk drawer and looking for something.

Soon, she pulls out a fluorescent green object that can fit in her hand and gets up. Not sure what it’s for, you none-the-less lead mum to the lounge room.

“Huh, that is pretty thick,” mum comments, looking at the sheet you tried to cut. “I think the box the refrigerator came in was like this.” Mum catches your curious expression and laughs lightly. You didn’t remember that ever happening. “That was probably before the three of you were born, and I threw that box out ages ago.”

“You could have made a really tall shield with that,” commented Moustache Girl.

You rise that she is correct, and that you could have made one of those really tall shields with it, like the three of you had seen on the internet. Mum smiles at her before turning back to the thing you need cut out.

“On the lines?” she asks you.

“The thicker ones.” You had gone over the right line a few times so mum wouldn’t mistake it. “Not the other lines.”

Grabbing a nearby box and turning it upside down, mum put your sheet on top. Then she held up the device she had grabbed from her drawer. With a ratchetting sound, you realised it was a knife, a blade extending from the end. Mum then began to easily cut the shape out for you.

“Anything else?”

“We need a couple of layers,” Moustache Girl says.

So, mum used the shape she cut out as a guide and cute several more shapes like it, before Bow Kid handed her shield over to be cut too.

“Come and knock on my door if you need some more cute,” mum said as she finished, standing up.

“Oh — um — so we can’t do it?” you ask.

Mum lightly laughs.

“Nope, sorry,” she replies. “Utility knives are really sharp and it’s really easy to cut yourself with one. And , if that happens, we’ll all have to go to the hospital, because you’ll need loads of stiches because of how easy it is to cut yourself deeply with one.”

Sitting on your slightly wet nappy, you start taping all the layers together. Moustache Girl has coated every bit of hers in packing tape and it seems really strong, so you do that too. Bow Kid meanwhile seems to be taking a lot more care than you to make it all crease free.

“For the arm loops, you gotta use the special tape,” explains Moustache Girl, holding the roll of grey coloured tape up.

It has little bits of thread hanging off and looks like it’s got fabric inside it, but the outside is plastic.

“You take a strip of cardboard and bend it a bit so it’s soft, then cover it in the tape, and then tape it down.”

After asking mum, she finds you an old ruler. It’s really long, way longer than the one you use at school, but as mum explains, the pain and the numbers all flaked off.

“So, you can cut this in half. One for each of you,” she explains to you and Bow Kid. “But there’s got to be lots of cardboard around it, and I want to make sure it’s safe before you guys use them. Okay? These swords could hurt you if you’re not careful.”

So, as you and Bow Kid made yours, Moustache Girl started making something else.

It started off as a sort of cylinder shape. Soon, Moustache Girl added a flat bit to the top and taped that down, before drawing something on one side. You weren’t sure what.

“Ooh — is that a helmet?” Bow Kid asked, figuring it out.

“Yep!” Moustache Girl said, holding it up. “Just gotta cut the hole.”

As you finished your sword, you start wondering if you could make armour. You could use a sheet of cardboard for the front and another for the back, then put straps that go over your shoulders on it. While Bow Kid is finishing her sword (which is taking longer but looks better than yours), you quickly sketch out the panels. Again, you need mum’s help to cut them out, and at the same time she cleans up Moustache Girl’s helmet.

Soon, the three of you are looking ready for your adventure, so after a brief break for lunch, you began!

T_T_T

“We fight for the princess’ hand!” Moustache Knight Girl declared with a flourish of her sword.

“I will defeat you!” you call back, with what is surely just as impressive a flourish.

“What does that even mean?” asked Princess Bow Knight.

You falter, lowering your sword. That is a good question.

“It’s a thing… they do in the movies,” Moustache Knight explains. She seems to move her helmet a bit, like she is trying to scratch her head. “It’s like what knights do when they meet a princess.”

“But what if there’s only one knight?”

You can see Moustache Knight’s thoughtful look behind her helmet.

“Maybe they fight the princess?” Princess Bow Knight replied. “There’s supposed to be a fight, isn’t there?”

Though that was probably fair here, because Princess Bow Knight was a knight, you knew in a lot of stories that princesses didn’t fight for some reason.

“Ah! You are trying to trick me with your riddles, dastardly foe!” Moustache Knight suddenly cried out, before charging at you with her sword.

What ensued was an incredible battle. Of clashing cardboard and virtuous, knightly fighting. For one moment, it seemed like Moustache Knight had the upper hand as she backed you up against the castle walls, you almost walking backwards into a plant pot. But at the last moment you went sideways, and with a jump, climbed up the retaining wall into the royal garden!

Rather than make the knightly jump like you had, the dastardly fiend Moustache Knight ran along the paved path that ran along the castle wall and past your bedroom window, and then up the stairs to the level of the garden. Soon, with the sounds of a war cry, you resumed your fight!

Blades clashed and armour rattled. And after much further battle, it seemed that you had the upper hand. But, for a moment, Moustache Knight got the upper hand. You step back, a strategic retreat, when you walk into something again: a small, grassy shrub.

You suddenly lose your footing and fall backwards, landing on your wet nappy. You can feel your eyes wet as you blink up at Moustache Girl, clearly victorious. Only, after a few moments you realise it doesn’t hurt, it just surprised you. There’s lots of leaf litter and your nappy to cushion the fall.

Looking to your side, you can see Bow Kid standing there. She’s chewing her lip and looking thoughtful.

“I win!” says Moustache Knight, pointing at Bow Kid.

Bow Kid shakes her head.

“Nuh ah,” she replies, sounding slightly satisfied with herself. A wide smile crosses her face, letting you see her teeth. “If you want my hand, you have to beat me as well!”

Moustache Knight jumps to the ready, and then Princess Bow Knight paused.

“But… I need to go to the loo first,” she said slightly sheepishly.

You wonder for a moment why she needed to do that, slowly getting to your feet. Brushing your bum off, you share a glance with Moustache Girl.

“This is soo cool!” she suddenly exclaims, seeming to bounce on her feet in excitement.

Feeling giddy, you nod.

“It sure is!”

It gets you wondering if you could do a really big adventure like this at your next sleepover.

Taking a moment, you inspect your sword, spotting several dings along its length from where you had hit Moustache Girl’s own sword. You wonder if it needs more tape.

“Has yours got dents in it?” you ask her.

She looks up and down her sword.

“A bit.”

Stepping closer, you compare yours and hers. It seems yours is more dinged. Maybe you did need more tape?

Your thoughts are cut short, however.

“You face the Witch Knight!” came Bow Kid’s exclamation. “Princess Bow Witch-Knight!”

Turning, you spot her standing in the back doorway of the royal castle. Atop her head is your mostly finished witches’ hat, and instead of her sword, she holds a wizard staff in her hand, her blue bow tied around the end. It’s very cool.

Suddenly, Princess Bow Witch-Knight waves her staff to cast a deadly spell of magic.

“I call upon the power of lightning!” she cries, and the battle resumes.

Moustache Girl is very reluctant to end it as her mum comes to pick her up. The three of your delay as long as possible, and your mum and hers even spend fifteen minutes having coffee and tea, but eventually it’s time for Moustache Girl to go.

“Come on, we’ve got to get your ready for dinner at your grandparents,” say Moustache Girl’s mum sympathetically.

Still in her helmet, you and Bow Kid give her a hug at the door.

“It’s no fair,” Moustache Girl complains. “You two get to spend all the time together.”

It didn’t seem fair to you. It would be cool if the three of you could play together all the time.

“Bye, girls,” says Moustache Girl’s mum as the door closes.

You and Bow Kid take a moment to relax on the couch before mum comes by.

“Now, we’ve got to tidy everything up,” she tells you, looking around the lounge.

There’s cardboard everywhere, along with bits of tape, and a few pencils, so that makes sense.

“If you two get the big bits, I can vacuum up all the little bits when you are done.”

It takes you about fifteen minutes to get everything, with mum providing a bag for all of the scraps. Soon mum is uncoiling the power cord for the vacuum cleaner.

“Now, you don’t want to leave anything outside. It looks like it might rain tomorrow and I’m sure you would hate for anything to get wrecked.”

“Oh — yeah,” you say, remembering that there were lots of things outside.

You and Bow Kid proceed out the back door. Your witches’ hat was atop a small shrub, like the shrub was wearing it, and your shield was up against a tree after you replaced it with Bow Kid’s sword, seeing as she did not need it, now she had reclaimed her magical powers.

Giggling, Bow Kid puts the witches’ hat on your head.

“That’s really good,” she tells you, an amazed smile on her face.

Blushing slightly at the compliment, you smile back. Bow Kid was a really important friend to you. So important to you, she was your best friend alongside Moustache Girl. Your squirm happily in your nappy as you watch her look around for any items. You’re wondering if both you and her being in nappies together make your best friendship with her different, when she squats down.

She is slightly red faced, and you’re sure she is messing her nappy. You’re not sure if you should go over to her and give her a hug, or if you should keep looking for things. As she stands up, she spots you looking at her. She gives you a shy smile and you smile back at her.

Slowly, she wanders over.

“Thank you for being my friend,” she says, hugging you.

All you can do is hug her back.

T_T_T

Feeling exhausted, you and Bow Kid cuddle on the couch watching TV. You are about to fall asleep when mum calls out.

“Oh — someone needs a change.”

Looking over your shoulder, mum frowns at you.

“Oh, honey. Why didn’t you get a fresh pullup on?”

You blink at her, not sure when she means. Coming over, she pats you on the bottom.

“Your nappy is soaked, sweetie. It’s gone all over your rompers.”

She pulls you to your feel and turns you around. Bow Kid yawns, before sitting upright on her messy nappy.

“It seems you’re not in the messy nappy, however.”

Mum’s knowing smile turns to Bow Kid who blushes faintly.

“Yep,” Bw Kid confirms quietly.

“How come you didn’t get into a new pullup?” mum asks you.

“I — um — forgot,” you say. “Sorry, mummy.”

You meant to, but just never got around to it. You were way too busy.

“What about you?” mum asked Bow Kid.

“Yep, I changed!”

Quietly, mum laughs.

“Well, at least I can trust one of you to know when you need a change.”

With Bow Kid in a messy nappy and you having soaked your clothes, mum decides that the two of you might as well have a bath now. When Bow Kid pulls off her dress, you can see a little bit of mess has squeezed out where her nappy goes around her legs. Your own nappy isn’t any better, having swelled up so much that the edges were lifting up.

“It seems you got some on your dress,” Mum comments, holding it up.

Bow Kid blushes, squirming in her messy nappy. The sight is a bit funny and you can’t help but giggle. But slightly worried it might seem mean, you give her a wide smile and Bow Kid smiles shyly back at you.

After letting your nappy slip down your legs, you got in the bath, while mum helped Bow Kid with her nappy.

“Hmm,” mum hummed, after helping Bow Kid clean up. “I think we should get you in the shower first. It’s a bit hard to clean you up while you’re standing.”

“O-okay,” Bow Kid agreed.

As she rinsed off, mum left the two of you alone and soon Bow Kid joined you in the bath.

“How did you forget about your wet nappy?” Bow Kid asked, giggling.

You squirm slightly.

“I just forgot,” you say. “We were doing lots of stuff.”

Bow Kid chewed her lip.

“I only remembered because I was getting the hat.” You giggle at the admission. “Then I remembered I needed a new nappy.”

In the warm water, you could feel tiredness trying to overtake you. Leaning against you, Bow Kid seems to be in the same boat.

“It’s nicer when your mummy looks out for us.”

You could only agree.

Soon your mum came by and got you out of the bath tub and dried off…

“I bet you two had lots of fun today,” she comments as she gets you and Bow Kid in your nappies. “It was really amazing what you three made.”

“It was super cool,” says Bow Kid.

You mum glances up from taping up for nappy to smile at Bow Kid.

“I’m glad you three had lots of fun.” Finishing, mum looks thoughtful for a second before looking at Bow Kid. “All your clothes are in the was, sweetheart, so you will have to borrow some.” Bow Kid seemed to perk up, clearly curious. “Lets see what fits you.”

Bow Kid was slightly smaller than you, but you had heaps of clothes, some of which you hadn’t worn in ages.

“Wow, you look very cute in that,” mum compliments Bow Kid, helping her with the buttons. She turns to you. “Don’t you think?”

It was a white sundress you hadn’t worn in ages, but Bow Kid did look really pretty in it, you thought. Well… she was always really cute, but the dress was really cute too.

“Yeah,” you tell Bow Kid with a smile.

She seems to light up at the word.

“Is it really okay to have this?” she asks.

Mum quietly laughs.

“My daughter hasn’t worn it in quite a while,” mum explained, before dropping into a false whisper. “Unfortunately, she couldn’t seem to go more than an hour without getting some mud or dirt on it.”

Mum gave Bow Kid a knowing look, causing Bow Kid to start laughing. She wasn’t exactly wrong, but there was always so many things to do. Mum eventually started buying you clothes in dark colours, unless there were clothes it was okay to get dirty in. But you liked purple, so that was okay.

With Bow Kid doing twirls that gave you the occasional glimpse of her nappy, mum found something for you to wear. Bow Kid stopped to watch your mum pull the dress over your head, lighting up as your mum stepped behind you to pull your hair out of the collar.

“Wow — that’s really pretty!” she exclaimed.

“Really?” you asked.

All the adventure and playing was fun, but fact you kept ripping dresses or getting them dirty seemed to ruin any feelings of being pretty.

But, at the clear doubt in your voice, Bow Kid frowned in concern. You felt ashamed for making her sad like that and tried to come up with something to say when she hugged you.

“Really pretty.”

T_T_T

Mum had prepared dinner while you and Bow Kid had been in the bath, and after all that activity you were really hungry. But after eating, the tiredness intensified. So not long after cuddling together on the couch, you fell asleep.

At some point in the night, you vaguely remember mummy carrying you to your room, changing you into a dry nappy, and putting you to bed. Not long after, she repeated the same with Bow Kid, and the two of you drifted off to sleep.