I’ll ask AGAIN! Why?? *huffing emoji*
Rafe
What’s crawled up your butt? Her car broke down on the way home, and Ethan was the closest
Archie
Cas, you’re being rather mother hen-y…*suspicious emoji* anyhoo, Hayleigh said stop faffing and speak to Emmy, she texted her this morning
Archie sends a selfie of himself and Hayleigh, stuffing their faces with pancakes. The sound of their laughter carries upstairs.
Cas
Just making sure she’s okay, that’s all…and I am not mother hen-y! That’s not even a word *sticking tongue out gif*
Cole
Maybe you should come along to our antenatal classes, Cas
Cas
*homer hiding in bushes gif* I know nothing. Don’t ask me! *covering eyes emoji*
Me
You’re a little touchy this morning, Cas. Tell Emmy to give you a back rub *winking emoji*
Hayleigh’s voice shouts out. “Pig.”
Me
Archibold, are you showing Hayleigh the sacred group chat?
Hayleigh’s laughter sounds out at whatever Archie has said.
Ethan
Archie! The first rule about the brothers' group chat is that you don’t speak about it or show it to anyone! *angry emoji*
Rafe
Wow, I feel violated *shocked emoji*
Cole
Archie, I’m not mad, I’m disappointed. *sad face emoji*
Cas
Cole brought his new dad voice…someone’s in trouble *laughing emoji*
I close off my phone and put it back on the side. I don’t need to waste the next hour or so going back and forth. I have work to do today, it’s time to show Hayleigh her new home and the work we’ve been doing in there, but first, I need to shower.
I strip off and throw the clothes I wore yesterday and slept in straight into the washing basket, then grab a towel from the wardrobe and head to my bathroom. The hot spray from the water soon steams the room, so I crack open a window to let some of it out before climbing in.
The water hisses against my skin, burning it with every touch, but the feeling is nice, especially when I turn my face toward the streams pouring from the showerhead and let them cascade down me.
The bathroom door shuts, so I call out. “Archie, I’ll be ten minutes tops.” I turn around as the shower door opens.
