Page 47 of Black and White, Twice the Might

“It’s something to think about anyway,” Nix replies.

Ernest looks at Sly and me, grinning. “I don’t need to ask how your afternoon was.”

“It was fun,” Sly says. “I can’t wait until we move into our new house.”

“Sick of living out of a B&B?” Kean asks us.

“Yeah. Sometimes you just want to stay in and chill, but in a B&B or sometimes in the hotels we’ve stayed in, you feel like you have to go out. I’m not planning on leaving the house for a few days when we move in,” I say.

“It will take us that long to unpack everything,” Xander points out.

“We can help you unpack as well if you want,” Ben offers.

“Thanks, we’ll let you know,” Sly replies.

“Boys, dinner’s ready,” Emily says and in no time at all, the table is set and covered in food.

There is general chat around the table. Cassie walks in a few minutes later.

“Hey, bro,” Temp says. “Are you eating with us?”

Cassie nods and sits down. “Yeah, Sion’s asleep, so I thought I’d join you.”

I look at Cassie; apart from being worried, he looks sad and tired.

“Are you sleeping, Cass?” Ernest asks him gently.

“Not very much. I spend a few hours asleep here and there in the chair, as I don’t want to leave Sion in case he needs something,” he replies, as food dishes are handed to him.

“We can take turns sitting with him. You need sleep as well, Cass,” Titus says.

Cassie sighs. “I might take you up on that at some point. I know we’re all needed at the fair tonight, but I don’t want to leave Sion alone.”

“I can sit with him if you want,” Jodie offers, “or John can, if you want to go out tonight.”

“No one will mind if you want to stay home, though,” Adhan tells him.

Cass nods. “Thanks, I’ll check on Sion after we’ve finished dinner, and if he’s still asleep, I’ll come with you. If you’re sure, Jodie, John.”

“I’ll sit with him. John is on babysitting duty tonight,” Jodie replies.

Nora smiles at John. “Really, Grandpa?”

John nods. “Yep, really.”

She looks at Cam and Nix. “You can both go to the fair tonight if you want.”

“If you’re sure, Doobs, John,” Nix says, looking at him.

“Yep, we’ll be fine,” he says, looking at the boys. “Is that alright with you two, or would you prefer someone else stays?”

“Nope, we’re good with you, John,” Xander says.

I look at Enoch.

“Yep, we’re good with John.”

CHAPTER 18