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‘Okay, I’ll go and rescue him. Oh hey, Ariella,’ Tim calls as he jogs towards the garden.
Both Louisa and Em immediately shoot me a look.
‘Want a hand, Tim?’ I offer, walking towards the garden. I feel both ladies watching me as I walk through.
‘You all right, mate?’ Tim bends over as he grabs a tiny arm.
I grab the other and pull the T Rex up. ‘Want some water?’ I ask as we lead the groaning dinosaur into the kitchen.
‘You arseholes left me out there!’ Caleb whispers, irritated, as Tim lifts the head off him and I move his hair out of his eyes.
I can’t help the laugh that escapes. Caleb is far from the party entertainer type.
‘Good to see you’re back alive.’ He shoots me a dirty look. His attempt at cutting sarcasm makes me laugh even harder.
‘Jack. You’re up next, mate,’ Tim calls from the kitchen as we start to unzip Caleb from the suit.
A reluctant-looking Jack turns up, clutching his beer.
‘I don’t think I can get in the costume, mate, I’ve been drinking…oh hey, Ariella. How was Zambia? What are you doing here?’
‘Keys.’ I smile at the guys.
We eventually get a frazzled Caleb out of the suit, as Jack attempts to avoid it by suggesting it’s time for the kids to eat. Caleb throws the costume at Jack and marches to the fridge for a beer.
‘How long was I out there? It felt like for ever.’
Tim looks at his watch. ‘Forty-five minutes?’
‘You guys were supposed to tap in fifteen minutes ago,’ he complains.
‘You know Alfie loves you, why ruin a good thing?’ Tim laughs, pulling Em close and planting a kiss on her forehead.
‘Youarehis favourite!’ Em adds, stroking Caleb’s arm.
‘That’s me done. What’s the score?’ Caleb heads towards the living room.
‘Caleb, can I grab the keys?’
‘Stay, Ariella.’ Louisa reaches out.
‘I’d love to, but—’ I try to excuse myself.
‘I could use some help with the party food? Louisa’s been pretending that her nails haven’t dried for the last two hours,’ Em says.
I laugh as I unbutton my cuffs and roll up my shirtsleeves.
‘How can I help?’ I navigate towards the huge hob, tidying the work surfaces nearby.
‘How do you know the boys?’ Louisa asks.
‘We—’ Tim begins.
‘I believe Louisa asked Ariella, Tim?’ Em interjects a little abruptly.
‘I’ll go and see what Caleb’s up to then.’ Tim shrugs and leaves.
‘Tim and Jack helped Caleb replace our front door. They’re good guys.’
