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“Who’s bringing back the Sexcapades column!” Fiona added. “How ironic is that?”
Sunita bobbed her head back and forth. “I know, I know! I used to make fun of it, but I’m hoping the revamped version will get teens talking about sex in a healthy manner.”
“What? Like we did?” Fiona laughed, and Evie joined in. “Beach sex—bad!”
Nick’s eyes narrowed. “Is it?”
Evie patted his arm. “I’ll tell you later.”
She did a double take, eyeing her bronzed brother in a white hoodie and faded jeans walking past the bouncy castle. Her grin reached her eyes. “Sammy!” She waved the floss-free cone until he headed her way. “Welcome back!” Still holding Poppy’s hand, Evie leaned in for a one-armed hug.
“Nice tan!” said Sunita. “Majorca looks good on you.”
After squeezing Evie, Sam let her go. “Does now.” He grimaced. “Angus was calling me lobster legs for most of our trip.”
“Where is Angus?” asked Nick. “He texted last night saying he’d check out the vintage cars with me. Haven’t heard from him since.”
“He got called out on a rescue,” explained Sam. “It’s nothing serious, someone stranded halfway to Rousay. What time you headed to Mum and Dad’s?”
“Half four.” Evie looked down as Poppy’s wee fingers slid free from her palm. She hopped toward her mother. “After Nick drops Sun at the airport and I pick up Pretzel and Popcorn from home.”
“I brought them back a few toys,” said Sam.
Evie grinned. “Always spoiling your floofy niece and nephew.”
“Of course! Work before play, though. I need to show my face at our booth, see how our doggie dental care promo is going. Catch you later, ’kay?” Sam waved in farewell.
“I’ll bring bottles of Skull Splitter,” hollered Nick, oblivious to Tarquin’s arrival behind him with a squiggly Luke in his arms.
“I’d kill for one of those, the day I’ve had.”
“Fatherhood not agreeing, Tarq?” Fiona held Poppy’s hand.
“Luke stuck gummy bears up his nose this morning. Then at the walk-in clinic, he just starts stripping off, right in the waiting room.”
Nick laughed. “Sounds like you at that age.”
Tarquin snorted, not impressed. “Now he wants Leia and only Leia. She has a wedding dress to finish, so we’re having a boys’ day out, giving Mummy some space…”
Ruffling Luke’s blond hair, Nick lulled his nephew into stillness, but as he withdrew his hand, the child roared like a tiger and kicked his feet, one of which barely missed Tarquin’s nether regions.
Nick clenched his jaw. “That was close.”
“If Luke remains an only child, now you know why.” Tarquin tried to kiss his forehead, but his son’s squirming ruined that idea. “He calms with you, Nico. You want to hold him?”
He narrowed his eyes. “Cheers, but I’ll pass. I value my testicles too much.”
Evie bit back a laugh.
Poppy pulled her gaze away from the ladybug carousel and blinked up at Fiona. “Mummy, what’s test-gulls?”
“They’re a type of seabird, sweetheart,” Fiona chirped, unruffled. “Hey, why don’t you go for one last ride on the ladybugs?”
“YEAHH!” Poppy squealed and tugged her forward.
“You coming, Eves?” asked Sunita.
“I’d love to, but I should circle back to the shop.” Leaning in, she hugged her oldest friend. “I wish you weren’t leaving.”
