Something so small can cause so much trouble. One little glimpse can cause such a fuss. Plans can be shattered and days can be ruined, all because of a silly litte egg.

This weekend should have been easy. We had simple plans – a pyjama day till lunchtime on Saturday then kiwi harvesting in the garden with friends. There was an apple cake to share. We’d sit out in the chilly air and warm outselves with coffee while the children played. I was having Saturday evening to myself, to have a glass of wine and crochet in front of Netflix.

On Sunday we’d go for a walk or a cycle if the weather was good. The boys would play Lego, maybe watch a film. I’d bake bread and do some sewing.  Generally, the plan was to relax and take things as they came.

We took things as they came. We went with the flow. All went well until I brushed Number Three’s hair, mid-morning on Saturday. His thick curls are beautiful but a nightmre to brush. I was going slowly so as not to hurt him while going through the knots.

That’s when I saw it.

A nit.

We managed to get through eight years of parenthood without encountering headlice. Then, a few weeks ago, another bout swept the school. First Number One, then Number two caught them. We treated their hair, washed hoodies and jackets and bedclothes and did all the things you are supposed to do to get rid of them.

This new bout threw the weekend into disarray. The kiwi harvesting guests cried off, expectedly, once I warned them about the nits. All of a sudden my pleasant, chilled out weekend was taken up with stripping beds and washing clothes, bedclothes, towels and hair.

By the time the children had gone to bed, my hands were dry, my nails were chipped and I couldn’t shake the creepy, crawly, itchy feeling that comes with hearing the word “headlice”.  Instead of settling on the sofa with Netflix and a glass of wine,  I was in the bathroom with lice treatment and a comb.

Sunday saw the mountain of washing decrease and the mountain of clean laundry grow. Heads were checked and double checked. Imaginary itches were shrugged off. The weekend came to an end and I still had the feeling it hadn’t quite begun.

Something so small can cause so much trouble. One little glimpse can cause such a fuss. Plans can be shattered and days can be ruined, all because of a silly litte egg.