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“Gammy also has a room on this floor, but it’s more like a self-contained flat that joins onto the kitchen.” They reached the staircase and started up it while Bear continued, “You’ll be staying in Blake’s room on the second floor, Alex. Mum has already set it up for you.”

“Who’s Blake?” Alex asked.

“My brother,” Bear said. “He’s going to bunk in with Johnny, my other brother, when they arrive.”

“I’m fine just sleeping on a couch somewhere,” Alex told him. “I don’t want anyone to be put out because of me.”

“They don’t mind,” he said. “And besides, they’re not due here until Kaldoras Eve because of work, and they’ll only be able to stay for a few days. You’ll be much more comfortable this way.”

Bear went on to explain that other than Blake’s room, the second floor had the main bathroom, his parents’ room, and Evie’s room. After pointing out each of their bedrooms, he led her straight to where she would be staying.

Blake’s room was nice. Really nice, actually. There was a big, comfortable-looking bed along with a large desk and a built-in wardrobe. Best of all were the huge double windows that looked straight out the side of the house and into the forest that surrounded Bear’s home.

“Nice view,” Alex said as she put down her backpack and sat on the bed. “Where are you both sleeping?”

“In the attic,” Bear answered.

“The attic?”

“It’s awesome,” Jordan said. “They’ve added a wall down the middle so that Bear’s room is on one side and Johnny’s is on the other. Both rooms are massive, with more than enough space for me to stay up there too.”

“Huh,” Alex said, trying to reconcile the image she had of spider-infested attics with what she presumed was her friend’s bedroom. She shook her head and moved on. “I can’t believe I never asked you about your family before, Bear. I had no idea you had brothers and a sister. Is it just the four of you?”

“Yep,” he said. “Just us.”

“What about you, Jordan?” she asked. “Do you have any siblings?”

Jordan’s body became rigid with tension, but he cleared his throat and answered, “No, it’s just me.”

She knew he was sensitive when it came to his family so she turned her attention back to Bear, which prompted Jordan to visibly relax once again.

“Tell me about your brothers, Bear. What do they do?”

He shared a secret grin with Jordan before saying, “I think it’ll be more interesting if you hear it from them.”

Alex was even more curious now, but all she said was, “Okay. If you say so.”

The boys left her to unpack and took off up into the attic, but they returned barely five minutes later with Jordan claiming starvation. Alex had to practically run after them as they led the way back downstairs into the dining room where they found an elderly lady sitting at the table. She could only be the infamous Gammy.

“Do you have a hug for an old woman, Barnold?”

She was exactly as Alex had imagined. Grey-haired, short and plump. Her wrinkly face was lit up with a smile and her entire presence exuded warmth and love.

“If you can find me an old woman, Gammy, I’ll be happy to give her a hug,” Bear said. “Until then, you’ll have to take her place.”

It was so cheesy, but Alex still smiled at her friend’s response, watching as he wrapped his grandmother in his arms. She was practically the size of a child next to his bulkiness.

“Don’t think you’re getting away without some loving, sonny,” Gammy said to Jordan after releasing her grandson. She wagged a wooden spoon at him threateningly until he engulfed her in a hug too.

“Looking good, Gammy,” Jordan said when he pulled away. “You must be knocking back the blokes with that spoon of yours.”

“Cheeky as always,” she huffed at him, her eyes crinkling with amusement. “Now sit down and let old Gammy feed you.”

Alex moved to take a seat as well, but Gammy stopped her by gently grasping her hand.

“Not you, dear,” the older woman said. “You can follow me. I want to learn all about the young woman who’s keeping my boys in line.”

“Pity we left her back at the academy,” Jordan quipped.