Page 7 of A is for Aftercare

“Shall we go up to your room to check?”

I scowl.

“Wait…How do you ‘sort of’ offer someone a job?”

“I had to go and do an interview with him.”

“So you’ve met your favourite author today, and youdidn’tcome in here squealing like a fanboy. What gives?"

Lexi runs back into the room. "Ta-da!" She presents me with a sparkly silver wand and a plastic crown with a big pink jewel in the centre. "Put it on! Put it on!"

I glance at Blake, but all he does is grin at me. Considering he’s wearing a pink dress and wings as well as a tiara, I’m probably getting off lightly. I put the crown on and make myself smile at Lexi, although I might be grimacing. She claps her hands.

"Beautiful," Blake says. "Do you want some make-up?"

“No, I’m good.”

“You’d look gorgeous with some pink eyeshadow. It’ll really make your eyes pop.”

I give him a warning glare.

“Where’s Belle?” Lexi demands.

“She means the doll,” Blake whispers helpfully.

“Oh. I put her on the sofa.”

“No!” Lexi stamps her foot and then fetches the doll. “You’re sitting in her seat. Move, Uncle Archie.”

“Could Belle sit on my knee?”

“Uh-uh.” She shakes her head, and I’m actually pretty scared.

I vacate the chair. Lexi grins and sits the doll, Belle, down again.

“Where am I going to sit?” I ask her.

“You can stand.” She sits and pours imaginary tea for everyone before slicing an imaginary cake.

“Chocolate,” Blake says as he pretends to eat the cake. “My favourite.”

I accept my plate and cup from Lexi and pretend to eat the imaginary slice of cake I've been given. "Yummy. Chocolate cake."

“No.” Lexi scowls at me. “You have carrot cake.” She rolls her eyes. “Silly.”

Blake barely manages to suppress a laugh.

“Do you have any homework?” I ask Lexi.

“No. I only get homework on Friday.”

“Archie was telling me about his interview,” Blake says.

“Did you get the job?” Lexi asks, bouncing from foot to foot.

“Yes.”

“Congrats!” Blake beams at me. “You must have impressed Hamish Cameron during your interview.”