Page 57 of Forbid It

Ffion shrugs.

“Come on. It’s not like you to go all quiet on us.” I squeeze her shoulder. “Sandra,” I call out as Cassie glances up.

“What?” Cassie replies from her seat.

“Come here.” I wave her down.

She must see something in my expression because she dutifully rises and pads barefoot to the grass.

“Come play a round with us.”

She folds her arms and pops her hip. “Play?”

“Yeah, it’s something people do for fun.” I waggle my eyebrows.

She rolls her eyes. but I see the smile pulling at her lips.

“Fine.” She secures the bun on her head. “Girls vs boys?” She glances at Ffion with a wink.

Ffion’s cheeks pinken, but she still nods eagerly.

“Let’s play.”

24

CASSIE

So it turns out soccer with two children under ten, a novice who had never even watched a game this time last year, and a world renowned player makes for a pretty uneven match up. Robbie was obviously dumbing down his game significantly to accommodate us, but at least Ffion and Sammy know how to actually kick the ball.

“You’re using your toes too much,” Robbie tells me with a growing smirk. He’s not even sweaty, the bastard.

“Oh, am I not supposed to use my feet in foot ball?” I drawl, resting my hands on my hips.

“Tilt your foot out like this and kick with the side of your foot not your toes.” He dribbles the ball back to my side and lets it roll slowly. I tilt my foot so I can catch it on the side instead of sacrificing my emerald green toe polish. Robbie’s hand falls on my hip, twisting my hip until I’m standing in the correct position. I glance up at him as he hovers behind me, his t-shirt brushing against the delicate skin on the back of my arm. His other hand gently strokes against my skin as goosebumps erupt in its wake.

“Maybe you shouldn’t play barefoot,” Sian calls from the patio, pulling us from the moment. They’ve all been watching our game since we started, shouting out helpful suggestions and cheering whenever anyone got the best of Robbie, although I’m woman enough to admit that we’re probably being given a significant advantage.

I clear my throat and step back, letting the ball roll away and towards the makeshift goal. I didn’t notice the kids running back to their parents, but now it’s just Robbie and I in the garden, the grass sinking between my toes.

“I don’t think her heels are more suitable, Mum,” Robbie tells the crowd as he lets the ball roll to a stop under his foot.

Suddenly feeling exposed, I cross back to the group and take a seat on the kitchen chair that was pulled outside to join the patio furniture as soon as more than four adults needed somewhere to sit.

I curl my leg up, brushing off the tiny flecks of dirt and grass stuck to my feet.

“Don’t you have any other shoes?” Gwen asks.

“Uh…” I glance at Robbie as he’s concentrating on keeping the ball in the air with his foot. I’ve already learned it’s called an ‘around the world’. He glances at me out of the corner of his eye, still not letting the ball fall. He’s waiting to see how much I’m going to admit. “I didn’t bring anything with me.”

Gwen turns in her seat, resting her hand on the arm of the chair and pushing her sunglasses up her head. She has a round friendly face, eyelashes to die for, and an adorable gap between her two front teeth. “You didn’t bring any clothes?”

I shrug. “It was kind of a…last minute decision.”

Gwen and Sian glance at each other. “You can borrow some of my stuff,” Gwen offers.

“You definitely brought enough,” Iwan says, resting his head on the back of the chair. “We’re only here for two nights.” Gwen flicks the baseball cap on his head so it’s further covering his eyes.

“You’re welcome to borrow anything, but I don’t have anything spare to swim in.”