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“Oh my god, so much.”
And for a third time over dinner, I spoke with no filter. “You guys used to cast spells around that tree.”
Amanda’s eyes grew wide, and her hand flew over her mouth. I grinned. Rosie’s smile grew wider.
“Spells? Like, witchcraft?” Ainslee asked.
“You’re kidding,” Mum said. “Aren’t you?”
Charlotte’s jaw was about to hit the table. Pete struggled to contain his laughter behind his hand.
“Did you just out Mands and me about dabbling in the occult at the old snow gum?” Rosie’s eyebrows shot to her hairline. “I haven’t visited that old gum tree in years either.”
“How did you know about what we did?” Amanda hissed across the table.
“To be honest, you two sucked at so-called ‘sneaking out’.” I pointed at Amanda. “You’d make so much noise getting the sash window up in your room. And you—” I pointed at Rosie. “I’m surprised the whole house didn’t hear you giggling and whispering as you clambered out onto the deck.”
Mum gasped.
“You were very naughty, Aunty Amanda,” Charlotte whispered.
Amanda narrowed her eyes, ignoring her niece. “You were spying on us?”
I snorted. “I was often up looking after Stacey during the night.”
Stacey caught my eye, and she smiled softly. So many nights had been spent making sure she had pain medication, dressings changed or even just water. Mostly I was there as company, sometimes reading industry reports out loud or from a book. Anything to keep Stacey connected to us.
I cleared my throat, suddenly tight with emotion. “Sometimes, if Stace was asleep, I’d follow you guys to see what you were up to. You had no idea I was there.”
Rosie barked a small laugh, and Amanda squealed.
“Those were private conversations you crept in on,” Amanda muttered. “Stalker!”
“Calm down, you mad bride,” I grumped. “I was hoping you guys were up to something interesting, but it was all writing notes and some spells.”
“I want to go to the snow gum, Daddy!” Charlotte bounced up and down. “And cast spells!”
Ryan scrubbed his face. “There will be no spells.”
“One night, though, I remember a spell very clearly.” I tapped my lips for a dramatic pause, smirking. “There was a knife and blood and solemn oaths.”
Rosie’s eyes went wide as she blushed. Amanda bounced in her seat. “Oh my god, I remember the blood pact.” She turned to Rosie. “I made you promise not to put moves on my brothers!”
Rosie gaped.
“What the actual fuck?” I blurted.
“Language, Tom!” Mum chided.
“Sorry, Char,” I muttered.
Charlotte giggled. Ryan groaned and rolled his eyes.
“So many of the girls in my grade were all over Ryan,” Amanda continued, oblivious to my swear word violation. “It was horrifying to think my friends would do that to me and jump him or you too, Tom.”
Rosie’s cheeks were the colour of fairy floss, and the tops of her ears bright red.
“Seriously, you both ‘cast’ a cockblock spell?” I stared at Amanda in disbelief.
