You give me fever

After only a slightly grumpy start to the day, at around midday, a crying Isobel spiked a temperature of 39.1 or over 100 in other money.

F*CK.

I gave her Calpol - she threw it up. I gave her another 2.5ml and stripped her down to her nappy. Put her in her cot for a nap.

30 minutes later she STILL hadn't got to sleep and her temperature had RISEN to 39.5.

Double F*CK.

I thought, okay, Nurofen. But that little bit of self-doubt crept in. Is this the kind of temperature that warrants a visit to the walk in clinic at the West Mid Hospital? Should I give Nurofen so close to Calpol? I've done all the right things, I think?

So, I rang NHS Direct, just for reassurance.

After telling me that her temperature may go up to 40, and she may convulse but this doesn't mean brain damage, I was told I was doing the right things.

WTF!! All I heard was CONVULSION and BRAIN DAMAGE.

Anyway, testament to the magic of Mummy's lap (and maybe the power of Calpol and Nurofen) by 4pm her temperature was back down to 36.6.

She has had a double portion of cauliflower cheese and a third of a banana, splashed in the bath, and is now in bed.

Me? I'm cream crackered and relying on the restorative powers of Strictly and a glass of wine.