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Brothers from Another Mother WhatsApp group

Etienne: What you got planned for the stag then, boys?

Alex: Never you mind, bro. Just be there at 8 p.m.

Etienne: Do I need to be worried?

Alex: Of course not. You’ll still have your eyebrows.

Fox laughed. Poor Etienne. He could just imagine him running his fingers over his eyebrows at exactly that moment.

Etienne: You know I just want a night out with the boys.

Alex: And that’s exactly what you’re going to get.

Fox: Before you marry the love of your life.

He knew his friend was excited for the wedding, but also for the marriage. Far from his old reputation as the heartthrob of Honeybridge, Etienne was a changed man since he met Isabella. He’d met his match and wanted to stay with her for ever. Fox recognised it in his eyes, the soft molten looks of love that he poured on Isabella at every chance. They were both so much in love. Fox sighed, but then frowned as he opened the door to an empty play room. He listened for a moment, trying to hear the boys upstairs. He headed up. He needed to keep an eye on them until Robyn got back.

Walker: Everyone got their outfits?

Fox saw his bedroom door was closed and heard muffled giggles, which was always a sure sign of trouble. He pushed the door open, quietly, only to see Reggie and George dressing up in the outfit that he was supposed to be wearing to the stag do. Reggie was wearing Fox’s checked shirt over his jeans and trying to lasso George, who was wearing a cowboy hat, his pants and Fox’s cowboy boots. They were in heaven. Fox grinned, closed the door again just as quietly and left them to it.

Fox: All sorted.

He’d been happy about the theme for the stag, the Last Rodeo. It was a quick win for him, seeing as his usual look was cowboy casual to say the least. When he’d tried it on in front of the mirror, he found himself hoping that Robyn might be into cowboys, or maybe being a reverse cowgirl herself. But that led to a boner and he quickly took the outfit off again, stuffed it into the cupboard and shut the door.

Alex: Then let the games begin.

Fox could almost hear his friend’s evil laugh from there. Etienne must be terrified. Fox pocketed his phone, checked the clock and tried not to think about Robyn in yoga pants, before turning back to his computer. Somehow, he was finding it hard to concentrate.

Chapter Thirty-One

Robyn

The Bolthole was buzzing. Robyn held tight to Wren’s hand as she led the way across the dance floor to a booth in the corner. Amber was already there, glitter on her eyelids, her hair a halo of curls, and she was wearing a spandex boob tube and silver trousers in a glorious explosion of colour.

Wren was wearing a white jumpsuit, which showed the absolute enormity of her belly. She immediately took a seat to take the weight from her feet and Rosie dropped a kiss on her head as she pulled Robyn into the booth.

‘Woah, Robyn!’ Amber whistled at Robyn. ‘You’re a disco dream.’ She saluted her with shot of something pink and blew her a kiss.

Robyn smiled breathlessly. Tonight felt like a big night. The first night she’d left Willow with a babysitter – Carrie from the crèche – and the first time she’d got dressed up and gone out since before she became a mum. She’d been nervously excited getting ready, taking special care with her make-up, layering on an extra slick of gloss, a flick of highlighter on her cheekbones and nose. Her waves lent themselves to seventies disco, so she wrapped a scarf around her head and tied it at the back of her neck, teasing her curls out to their fullest. As she looked at herself in the mirror, she couldn’t help but hope Fox liked it too.

Now Robyn saw another woman in the booth, small, with elfin features, black cropped hair and the most beautiful brown eyes and mischievous smile. The woman stood and displayed a hot pant disco combo with knee-high boots as she approached. Robyn raised an eyebrow of appreciation and recognition from the video call at the bridal shop. Gabi might be tiny, but she made a big impact.

‘You’re here!’ Robyn said in surprise. ‘You didn’t mention it at the dress fitting!’

‘I couldn’t. It’s a surprise! I’ve been keeping it secret from Isabella!’ Gabi laughed and hugged Robyn.

‘So lovely to meet you in person!’ Robyn said.

‘And you,’ Gabi replied. ‘The girls have all been telling me I’m going to love you.’

Robyn, touched to hear the compliments, squeezed her back.

‘Ignore the suitcases under my eyes,’ Gabi said. ‘I only have a weekend off so I literally arrived this morning and am on a different time zone.’

‘What have you been doing for the day?’ Robyn asked.