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As I descend the stairs to the entrance hall, Jefferson appears, holding a tray with Lola’s bottle sitting in the centre. ‘And how is the lady of the house this evening?’ he asks, his eyes glittering behind his round specs at the sight of my daughter. On cue, Lola starts bucking against my front, her hands bunching and flexing as Jefferson nears with her milk. ‘Ooh, someone’s hungry,’ he chuckles, stopping before me and offering me the tray. I take the bottle and shake it, flipping the lid off and squirting a bit on my wrist while Lola gets more vocal. ‘Perfect temperature,’ Jefferson informs me. I know it will be, but habit prevents me from taking his word for it.
‘Thanks, Jefferson.’ I turn and follow Callum to the corridor that leads to the Playground. I pick up my pace when Lola’s cries of hunger become more piercing, landing in the office quickly and hurrying to get her out of the straps on my chest. ‘Okay, princess,’ I soothe, hating the sound of her distressed sobs. Finding my chair, I cradle her in my arms and take the bottle to her mouth. She latches on and drinks ravenously, going soft and still in my arms. I breathe out and relax as Callum takes a seat opposite me. ‘What have you got to tell me?’
‘Your mother’s been upsetting Penny again.’ He rolls his eyes, following my lead.
‘What about this time?’ Penny took charge of the girls more than a year ago, and my mother wasn’t best pleased. It’s like managing two bitching schoolgirls, for fuck’s sake.
‘I don’t know. If Penny says it’s black, Judy says it’s white.’
‘I’ll have a word.’ I sigh, quickly checking Lola in my arms. Her little chubby hands are holding the bottle over mine, her eyes fixed on me. ‘What about the fight schedule?’ I ask, ripping my eyes away from her. It’s always a challenge.
‘All set, the first being Friday.’ Callum chucks a file on the desk and opens the sleeve, revealing the betting stats for the anticipated clash between a local boy and one of the top fighters here at the club. ‘Shit,’ I blurt, and immediately scold myself for it, looking down at Lola. She’s oblivious, of course. ‘They’re some seriously hefty figures.’
‘It’s split. Either way, we’re profiting here. Penny’s drafted the dancing schedule and wants your approval.’
Lola starts coughing and I whip the bottle out of her mouth, setting it on the desk and sitting her up on my lap. ‘How many dancers has she got lined up?’ I start gently patting Lola’s back, feeling her little belly inflated under my other palm.
‘Eight.’
‘Eight?’ I question. ‘It’s usually six.’
‘It’ll be a profitable night for the girls. Penny wanted them to share the potential tips.’
‘Because they don’t earn enough already?’ I laugh, just as Lola lets out an almighty belch and literally deflates in my hold.
‘Fucking hell,’ Callum blurts. I shoot him a look, and he immediately apologizes for his bad language. ‘Sorry. But, damn, Theo. How did that noise even come from such a tiny thing?’
‘She’s a greedy girl.’ I smile, so fucking proud. But I have to admit, for such a small, adorable thing, she produces some pretty horrific noises. And don’t get me started on what she evacuates from her body. On that thought, her little face turns bright red and she strains. I sit back, wary, as she stares at me. Then the rippling sounds of an exploding bottom echo around my office.
‘Good God,’ Callum mumbles, prompting me to look up at him. ‘Are you gonna tell me she’s her mother through and through again?’
I laugh under my breath as Lola goes floppy in my hands. ‘That’s my girl.’ I look up when the door of my office swings open and my sister appears, a piece of paper in her hand. She looks all business . . . until she clocks who’s sitting on my lap. ‘Baby girl!’ She tosses the paper she’s holding on my desk and seizes Lola from my arms. ‘Come to Auntie Penny.’
I glare at my sister, annoyed. ‘Be careful with her,’ I mutter, my arms feeling lost without my daughter in them.
‘Oh, be quiet,’ she retorts, not losing her smile. It’s so good to see her looking so well. She’s finally pulled herself around, started caring for herself. I was stunned when she asked me for a change in position at the Playground. Stunned but happy. And, of course, more than willing to do whatever I could to help. And it made sense, since I signed over half of this place to her. My time here is coming to an end. Penny’s settled into managing the girls perfectly, her experience in the job giving her an advantage. She understands them. Between her, Mum, and Callum, this place will be fine.
