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Ellie loves all her aunts and uncles. She does, truly, and if anyone asks who her favourite is, she wouldn't be able to say.
Well, she can say that Uncle Thomas and Aunt Margaret probably aren't her favourites. Uncle Thomas is Mummy's brother, but he and Aunt Margaret hardly talk to her. Not even her cousins play with her. They’re a little older than her, but that shouldn’t matter. Uncle Alex once called him “Tom,” and Uncle Thomas sneered and said “It's Thomas, mate.” Except he didn't sound like he really thought Uncle Alex was his mate. Ellie doesn't like when they have to visit Uncle Thomas and Aunt Margaret.
Uncle Theo is Mummy's other brother and Ellie hardly ever sees him, only FaceTime and even that isn’t often. He lives far away, even further than Uncle Henry and Uncle Alex. He doesn't have a person that goes with him. Uncle Thomas has Aunt Margaret, and Uncle Henry has Uncle Alex but Uncle Theo is a… what was the word that Mummy used? Bachelor. Ellie doesn't know what it means, but she likes Uncle Theo. He's a jolly person and he sends her lots of presents.
Auntie Bea is so lovely and Ellie loves spending time with her. She doesn't talk to her like she's a baby and she listens, really listens to what she has to say. She even remembers all her mates from school! She smells nice and gives cuddles. Ellie thinks her eyes sparkle. Sometimes she'll let her have a sweet or something that Mummy doesn't want her to have. “It's our secret, darling,” Auntie Bea will say and wink. Ellie can't wink yet - both her eyes close at once - but she's trying. She also gossips with Auntie Bea. If Daddy sees them giggling together, Auntie Bea will tell him “oh, it's just some girl talk, Pip, never mind about it.”
Uncle Henry, who's Daddy's brother, lives far away in a place called ‘America’ and Ellie doesn't know where that is but it's the reason she mostly sees him on FaceTime. He lives with Uncle Alex but sometimes they come to visit, and it's a special treat. When he comes to visit, he spends lots of time with her. She gets to cuddle on his lap and he's so kind. He also knows everything about books. He sends her lots of books and then they get to talk about them together. Sometimes he will put her to bed instead of Mummy or Nanny who usually does it. Uncle Henry will always read an extra story to her; he never says no or that it's too late. But usually with his soft voice and stroking her hair, she falls asleep anyway, even when she tries hard to stay awake.
When Uncle Henry comes to visit from America, Uncle Alex is with him. Uncle Alex is different than anyone else she knows and that's why he's so marvellous. He looks different – his skin is a darker colour, and the way he talks is different. Mummy says that’s because he’s from America. He’s always smiling when he looks at her and Ellie can’t help but smile back. Uncle Alex gives the best hugs, so tight and warm, and he smells so good. He actually plays with her, unlike most of the other grownups. Auntie Bea treats her like she’s a grownup too, but Uncle Alex will get down on the floor and play with her. He’s strong, too; he can hold her and her baby brother at the same time and not even groan. Ellie can only hold Georgie when she’s sitting down, and usually someone is hovering nearby to whisk him away if anything goes wrong, which is unnecessary. He speaks Spanish, and she doesn’t always know what he’s saying but it sounds like love.
Uncle Alex and Uncle Henry are coming to visit today and Ellie is out of her mind with excitement. She’s definitely going to ask Uncle Alex to play her new game with her, and Uncle Henry will read her a story while they cuddle in bed.
Maybe she does have favourites, but don’t tell the others.