I had a mini meltdown yesterday. Nothing to do with the kids. I just happened to glance down at my engagement ring, and there was a dark, empty space where a shiny gem used to be. A shiny diamond gem.
I felt sick. It's my most precious piece of jewellery, chosen by my husband in the days when he could. Freely. Without interference. And he got it spot on.
Now considering I love the ring so much I really should have looked after it a little better, but it just stays on all the time, for everything. Most people do the same, right?
Anyway, no point dwelling on 'if onlys'.
My mind started whirring: when had I last had a proper look at it? What had I been doing that day?
Well of course I'd done everything - cooking, dish washing, laundry, gardening, cleaning, hoovering...
A wave of mounting despair. What were the chances? It could be anywhere. Shiny but tiny. Still I couldn't just give up without trying.
So I emptied the vacuum bag (yuck)
and the bin (double yuck)
I even had a look in the U-bend, under the sink (wet)
No joy.
My heart sank some more.
The kids were sweet. They went and found a torch, because I'd told them the diamond was sparkly and would catch the light. Then they started looking in all the places I NEVER go; like in the bowl of shells in the bathroom, the Wii games drawer, the cupboard where the iron is kept.
Once I'd got them into bed I had a half-hearted look around my room, only to be joined minutes later by three eager little helpers, waving a torch.
I'd foolishly offered a reward.
Just as I was checking the bed while trying to persuade them to hold off the search until the morning, a glittery glint caught my eye in the torch light. Just for a split second.
Could it be? I held my breath and had a look...
and there, lying on my sheet was the tiny, twinkly diamond.
Unbelievable.
I really did properly jump for joy - up and down on my bed, whooping and yelling with delight,
to a chorus of, 'WHAT'S OUR PRIZE MUMMY?'