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I put my phone down and started mentally going through everything I needed to pack and remember to do before we left.
Soph: Don’t stress Archer. We’ll be good. Promise.
Me: What the hell are you doing up? It’s 4 am!
Laura: We’re at a party.
Me: On a weeknight. Do neither of you have work tomorrow?
Laura: Sorry, Dad.
Me: Are you drunk?
Laura: Possibly…
Me: Where is the party? Do you want me to send a car for you both?
Soph: It’s a warehouse near the docks.
Me: Fuck that. What were you thinking? You could be killed down there. It’s a shithole. I’m coming to get you both now.
Laura: You will do no such thing. We’re here with our friends. It’s full of people we know. We will leave together in an Uber. Stop it Arch. You’ve been so much better since Mum died, but we don’t need another parent. We want our brother. We liked him coming back recently.
I sighed because she was right. I’d stopped my daily phone calls to them both—instead only calling them a couple of times a week. I didn’t need to check where they were constantly and I didn’t feel quite as responsible for them both… until right now.
Laura: Why are you up, anyway? You ok?
Me: I sort of asked Nee to marry me.
Soph: WHAT????
Laura: And she said no? *winking face emoji*
Me: Well, I asked her if she’d be open to spending a lifetime with me. I wanted to test out the water before I made a fool of myself!
Soph: Not a proposal at all, Arch. But what did she say?
Me: Yes!
Laura: God, I hope you’re going to do something more romantic, brother. A girl doesn’t want someone to test the water. They want to be swept off their feet.
Soph: But she said yes, Arch… she will say yes. I’m so happy for you both. You’re so cute together… if we ignore your love of rope *sick face emoji*
Me: Rude. But I just wanted you both to know. I’m going to get her a ring and do it properly, but she really is it for me. I love her so much. I’d love you both to be there to help us celebrate.
Laura: Always, Archer. Now, let us go finish off getting drunk so we can question our life choices when we’re stuck at work in a few hours. Fly safe.
Me: Please let me know when you’re home (or at work) safe, so I don’t panic. Please!
Soph: Promise xx
“Right, have you all got your passports, clean pants, phone chargers, and guitars?” Fern asked.
“Yes, Mum,” Charlie laughed.
“Shall I get Addi up here to check you’re ready to leave?” Fern glared at Charlie.
“Hell, no,” Fox fired out. “The woman hates us.”
