Tom had taped the soap operas for me as I was out with Bianca, the German language student, on our bike ride.

It was very late by the time I started watching them and Lewis awoke and came to join me.

I could see no harm in letting him stay up as it's the school holidays, however, I got a bit of a shock as there was a funeral scene in Emmerdale.

Lewis suddenly said: "I want you to be buried mum. I don't want them to burn you when you die."

I was quite taken aback by his reaction and questioned why, then became consumed with guilt when he said he had heard me say I wanted my body to be burnt.

Clearly I have said that in a jovial way to friends because I do believe it makes practical sense and Lewis overheard and worried.

That didn't make me feel like a very good mum. We have talked about it and I think Lewis is reassured.

Our bedroom is the coolest in the house and on Friday Lewis took himself off to sleep there while I was chatting on the telephone.

I wasn't sure where he had gone and when I found him he looked so small and vulnerable in my big bed I wanted to climb in and cuddle up next to him. I managed to resist.

When he finally woke up he told me he wasn't feeling well and I assumed he was just over-tired and hot.

My friend Jan phoned to ask if Jacob wanted to go to the beach with her and her boys. I asked if Lewis and I could tag along as I thought the fresh air might do him good. Wrong.

When we got there Lewis became upset saying he had a headache and felt sick and wanted to go home.

I felt bad for messing up everyone's day and offered to take a taxi but Jan kindly insisted and brought us back. Lewis went straight back to bed.

I started to tidy our garden but damaged two fingernails and had a job to stop one of them bleeding - so brave about the cancer but mortified by broken nails.

In the evening we had arranged to see Witches, a performance by Southwick Players youth theatre group.

My friend Lesley's daughter Anna was in it along with a number of other friends' children and Lesley came home from hospital for the night so we could see the play together.

I had been really looking forward to it and arranged for my mum to look after Lewis but he insisted he was well enough to go.

He made it to the interval and then was sick. Tom took him home and he went straight back to bed.

Jacob and I stayed and really enjoyed the performance. Poor Lewis and Tom. All I kept thinking about was how much Lewis would have enjoyed the show.

He has read the book and knows the story - I felt so sorry for my little man.

On Saturday I caught Lewis's bug. My head hurt so much when I woke that I went back to sleep.

Then I woke again feeling very nauseous and it wasn't long before I was sick.

On Sunday I felt much better when I woke up and asked Jacob if he would empty all my kitchen cupboards. I am determined to tidy them and knew that would make me do it.

But our day just seemed to disappear and by 11pm my cupboards were still not sorted.

My kitchen is a mess and I cannot for the life of me comprehend why I have so many tins of mushy peas, particularly as none of us eat them.

And I think: If only I could put them in the boys' packed lunches tomorrow because we're clean out of bread. Ever the domestic goddess!

Jacob hurt his wrist at a barbecue we went to and claimed to be in great agony but I suspect it's nerves about the activity week.

I gave him a dose of Calpol and said to call me if his wrist hurt then dropped him and his friend Sam off at the activity centre, feeling a little apprehensive.

I had just made a start on the kitchen cupboards when my friend Karen arrived and, before I knew it, Jacob was back.

He had a terrific day as I suspected he would and he seemed to have forgotten about his injury. Luckily, Tom arrived home and took over.

I was again sick in the night and woke with a violent headache. My day was spent mostly sleeping.

I can't help but resent lost days when I think about all the exciting things I could be doing. Tom cooked for everyone but I wasn't feeling up to much.

My consolation is that hopefully now I will finally start to lose a bit of weight.

Lewis is really getting into my nail art which I think is great for developing his creativity and because it's something we enjoy doing together.

Tom continues to work hard in the garden, replacing fencing and laying cables.

He is designing a shelving area to sit around the imminent spa.

Thank goodness I woke up feeling back to my old self, albeit quite old with my creaking joints getting up after too much laying in bed.

Jacob went off for a day of team building and rock climbing and Lewis and I picked up his friend Charlie and gave Lewis's grandad a turn to entertain us with a day out.

Later, after collecting Jacob and dropping him off at a sleepover, I took Lewis and Charlie to Buckingham Park for a football tournament. That felt a little strange as I was actively involved in the planning of the evening.

Although I was pleased to see all the lovely people I have worked with, I still felt slightly awkward and detached as I said my goodbyes.

When we went to bed I heard a loud bang and woke Tom who thought it was probably a door slamming.

I wasn't convinced and looked out to see a car had exploded.

I shook Tom and he called the fire and rescue service and I called my neighbour because I thought it might be their car.

There was nothing more we could do.

Although I feel deeply sympathetic for the owners, I have to admit it was great excitement to sit out on our balcony watching the drama unfold.