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That was about as far as his interaction with children went, usually.

I still remembered the first time he held one of them by the force of Valerie, and he looked like he was holding a very large egg that he was nervous to drop.

A quick knock on the door and then Sammy waltzed on in as well, greeting us with a simple jut of his chin and by tugging on each of the girls’ ears gently as he walked past.

They giggled and kicked against their dad so he would put them down. Then they were free to chaseUncle Thammyas he made his way to the fridge.

As usual, his hands were stained black with grease and oil, and his work boots weren’t much better.

“Val sleeping?” Ren asked, sitting down at the table and stretching out.

I nodded, shooing Sammy out from inside the fridge so I could grab out the pancake leftovers. They were luckily still warm, and I placed them on the table while Toni and Sam plopped into chairs as well.

I grabbed five mugs and lined them up on the kitchen counter, scooping spoonfuls of instant coffee and sugar into each one while the kettle boiled.

“We still have no idea who’s running it now anyway,” Ren said, shoving one of the miniature pancakes into his mouth.

“That’s what we need to find out. Once we know, I’ll be paying him a visit,” Toni nodded.

Valerie wandered into the room, still looking like a wreck and a little dazed, but significantly less tired than before.

She ran a hand along Ren’s back as she passed, flicking on the jug before realising I had a coffee sitting there for her already.

“You’re a gem,” she mumbled, taking the steaming mug into her hands like it was the most precious treasure she had ever beheld.

I placed the others in front of the boys, setting them down carefully one by one. Each of them mumbled a quick thanks, shooting me a smile that was accompanied by the worried creases in their brows.

“You’re so much like Mum,” Val chuckled.

I looked up at her with a frown.

“Ever the perfect housewife,” she clarified, sliding into the chair next to Ren.

I ignored the comment and took the last seat at the table, watching as the twins played on the floor with the saucepans and spoons.

“So, what about Old Matey? Have you reached out to him?” Sammy asked Toni.

“That’s not a bad idea,” Ren nodded, stifling a yawn of his own.

“No,” Toni took a sip of his coffee. “He likes to be left alone. He doesn’t want anything to do with the bullshit anymore.”

“Yeah, but?—”

“Who’s Old Matey?” I asked.

They all stopped and looked at me, almost as if they had forgotten I was there altogether.

“He’s the founder of the Redline Angels,” Sammy explained.

I nodded.

“Anyway,” Sam shook his head. “Uh, I forgot where I was going.”

“You know, Zar,” Toni smiled, “you really don’t have to be here for this boring conversation.”

“I don’t mind,” I shrugged, pulling my knees up.

They shared a look, but Toni smiled. “Okay.”