Page 11 of Awakened Desires

“Yes! We’ve talked about it.”

“Fiona wants me to make her dolls a four-poster bed.”

Theo laughs. “Your niece has grand designs.”

“She does. I think she wants a long-lost aunt to turn up and tell her she’s really a princess and whisk her away to a life of comfort and riches.”

Theo sighs. “Don’t we all? Sadly, that kind of thing never happens in real life. Only in books and films. Are you going to make her a four-poster bed?”

“For her dolls. Aye. I think my sister would kill me if I made one for Fiona.”

“Could you?” Theo’s eyes are enormous as he stares at me.

“I’ve made a bed before, so sure, why not?”

He turns, grabs my arm, and bounces. “When we eventually get our own place, will you make us a four-poster bed? Please? I’ll pay you.”

“Umm, okay.”

“Thank you. Thank you.” He flings his arms around my neck. “You’re the best.”

“I haven’t made it yet.”

“No, but you will. One day.” He stops hugging me and leans against the counter. “Are you okay?”

I nod stiffly. I assume he’s talking about Callan. He was there when Callan called to ask if he could stay for a few days. We were playing Never Have I Ever while Fraser and Quinn waited for Beau and Stefan to get home from meeting their mum for the first time in several years. I’m sure my demeanour changed when I realised who was calling me. I’d never expected to hear from him again. I still don’t know how he got my phone number.

“Sure?” Theo asks.

“Aye.”

“If you need to talk…”

“Thanks.”

“Anytime. I mean that.”

“I know you do.”

There’s a moment of silence, and then Theo opens his cupboard and pulls out a bar of chocolate.

“This is what I came in here for. If you want to join us, we’re hanging out in the sitting room.”

I’m about to reply when I hear the front door open and then bang shut. We look towards the closed kitchen door.

“Do you think that was Callan going out?” Theo asks.

“Maybe. He’s not got a key.” I frown. “Should I give him a key?”

“It would be easier for him to come and go. Although there’s almost always someone in.”

That’s true enough. Between some of us working shifts, and Hendrix and Quinn working from home, it’s rare that the house is empty.

“Join us?” Theo repeats.

“Us?”

“Me and Preston, and Stefan and Quinn.”