‘Should earn lots today,’ Etienne said as they made their way out to the patio seating area and found a picnic bench in the sun, which was bright but losing any heat now. The bank was being set up for the next event, the dog agility course.
‘We need it,’ Walker said. ‘Only just had enough to help out the Malones after their fire the other week. And they’re exactly the type of people that need the help most. They didn’t have much before the fire, let alone afterwards.’
‘I can’t imagine it,’ Fox said. ‘She’s got a son in Reggie’s class. All the parents offered school uniform and things like that.’
‘Everyone has been so good. Fiona Malone keeps saying she doesn’t deserve it. But people have given all kinds of things. Homemade meals, a new set of saucepans, a new rug from the carpet shop. Even Isabella offered daily Italian revision for Millie to get her in shape for her oral exam.’
Etienne swigged his beer, thinking he’d like to give Isabella an oral exam. He could picture that mouth, that tiny beauty spot, as she wrapped her lips around his cock. He swallowed too quickly and coughed.
‘That’s nice of her. She must be busy with the opening,’ Fox said, just as a waist-high, Reggie-shaped tornado rounded the corner and threw himself at his dad. George, a thigh-high terror, came sprinting after. Abbie staggered behind with a rusty-coloured cocker-something on a lead and sighed with relief at the sight of Fox.
‘Everything okay?’ he asked, taking in her grass-stained knees, flushed face, hair half escaped from her hairband.
‘Fine, all fine,’ she said. ‘I don’t know how you do it!’ She laughed. ‘The energy they’ve got.’ She thrust the lead into Fox’s hand, and tucked a roll of clean poo bags into his top pocket.
‘Thanks so much, Abbie,’ he said, but she was gone already, making her escape as quickly as she could. She waved over her shoulder and headed for the bar.
‘Uncle Etienne!’ George shrieked when he saw him and clambered up onto his knee. Etienne pushed him up higher until he was on his shoulders and George bounced around on his neck.
Reggie scampered to the bank and started performing forward rolls. The dog jumped on the picnic bench and scoured the table for leftovers.
Rosie appeared, sliding her arms around Walker’s waist.
‘Well done, Walker,’ she said with a squeeze, which he reciprocated, dropping a casual kiss on her head.
‘Hands off my girl,’ Wren said, not in the least bit bothered. She stood on tiptoe to kiss Walker’s cheek. ‘Way to go, bro.’
‘What about the rest of us?’ Fox asked, nodding at Etienne.
‘Not a bad performance, you two,’ Rosie said with a shrug.
‘Don’t think you slowed him down too much,’ Wren laughed.
Etienne’s eyes found what they were looking for. Isabella, approaching with Amber, jacket tied around her waist now. Arms bare in the autumn sunshine. The two children with them, Jayden and Riley, immediately set off headfirst down the bank after Reggie.
‘He looks comfy,’ Amber said as they reached the table, nodding at George as he wrapped himself around Etienne’s head.
‘Me, not so much, though.’ Etienne laughed, standing and swinging George down from his perch. He tumbled George in a surprise somersault on the way to the ground, his face lit with delight when he found himself back on two feet.
‘Again!’ he shouted, jumping on the spot.
‘Later, George,’ Fox said, trying to get the dog off the table where it was now finishing off someone’s burger. ‘Go and roll with your brother.’
George switched his attention to the bank and ran there making the sound of a siren.
‘Sorry,’ said Fox, rolling his eyes. ‘His nursery has been learning about the police force. I’ll be glad when they move on to something quieter.’
They watched George throwing himself onto his brother’s back, squealing.
‘Although it probably won’t make much difference to the noise levels in our house, to tell the truth.’ He smiled sheepishly at Isabella. ‘I’m Fox,’ he said, sticking out a hand. ‘The two feral children are mine. And this is Dingbat, the dog. He’s on at four p.m. in the cutest dog arena.’ Dingbat looked up at exactly the right moment and cocked his head adorably.
‘Isabella.’ She shook firmly. ‘And they are all gorgeous.’
Everyone shifted around the picnic table. Etienne found himself budged to the end as Rosie and Wren squeezed on next to Walker. Ending up opposite Isabella, he took a long appreciative look at her cleavage as she got herself settled. It was a good view.
Everyone wanted to know about the new restaurant, and he watched her face light up as she discussed the developments.
‘So, when will you open?’ Walker asked. ‘Have you got a date?’
