“Hugely allergic.”
Ru gasped until Jasim laughed.
“Eejit,” Ru mumbled.
Jasim charmed Ink and Tay as Ru had known he would. As soon as Ink saw how much Ru liked him, he and Tay had behaved as if he was an old friend. Dog liked Jasim too. In fact, Dog loved him. It made Ru laugh the way Dog followed Jasim around from the moment they arrived, sat on his feet at every opportunity and looked up at him with big, mournful eyes.
“You have a fan,” Tay said.
“He reminds me of you,” Jasim whispered to Ru when they sat down to dinner.
“I only follow you around in case you need help getting up.” Ru grinned.
“If you keep teasing me about getting old, you’ll be the one who has trouble getting up. Or possibly sitting down.”
Ru laughed.
“Thank you so much for letting us come and stay,” Jasim said when they were all at the table, drinking the wine he and Ru had brought with them.
“You make Ru happy. That’s all that matters.” Ink touched his brother’s shoulder.
“Most of the time,” Ru said. “Ouch.”
“I didn’t touch you!” Jasim protested.
“Sorry, I was anticipating.”
Jasim rolled his eyes.
Oh God, I love him.
“Any news from Ireland?” Ink asked.
“Our aunt is still in a psychiatric hospital. Uncle Felan has admitted what he did and is awaiting sentencing.”
“At least that saves you the hassle of court.” Ink smiled at him.
“I don’t want to even think about them anymore.”
“So what would you like to do tomorrow?” Tay asked.
“Can we go riding?” Jasim asked.
Ru sucked in a breath loud enough to alarm Dog.
“Don’t freak Dog out,” Tay said. “What’s wrong?”
“Jasim can’t ride,” Ru blurted.
The other three laughed.
“It’s not funny.” Ru glowered. “You nearly died. Your heart stopped. Your lung collapsed. You’re still recovering. You frightened me. You can’t do anything reckless. Oh, apart from that one thing and I do all the work then anyway.”
“Watch it! I’m fine. It’s just a ride on a beach. I’m not playing polo or jumping fences.”
“Could we get him a nice, placid donkey?” Ru asked. “Although, poor donkey.”
“You’re treading a very fine line here, Ru,” Jasim said.
