Page 97 of Black and White, Twice the Might

“I’ll message Nix and find something else to do.”

“Ebby hates clothes shopping,” Sly tells Ernest.

Ernest shakes his head. “Why are we even friends?”

I laugh. “Because you claimed us before you knew us?”

“My bad,” Ernest replies.

“Bad luck, Ernest, you’re stuck with us now,” Sly says, grinning at him.

“Fine, we’ll keep you.”

“We were going to anyway,” Titus replies, smiling my way.

“So anyway,” Ernest says. “I came to tell you everything has been unpacked. We didn’t touch anything that looked like it might be things for your chocolate making, that’s still boxed up and in the utility room.”

“Thanks. I need to wash the workshop down before I think of unpacking anything,” I say.

“That’s what I thought.”

“Thank you all for your help over this weekend and this morning,” I say, looking at those gathered.

“It’s what family does,” Adhan says from the doorway. “You have a supermarket delivery. Those who are downstairs are helping to carry it all into the kitchen. You did a lot of shopping.”

“We needed everything. I’ll come down and help,” Sly says, turning and walking out of the bedroom.

“We can all go and help,” Ernest says, leading the others out.

In no time at all,the shopping has been brought into the kitchen, ready for us to put away.

“Oh, before I forget, all crockery is clean,” Sal says, waving to everything stacked on the side. “We thought we’d let you put them away.”

“Thanks, Sal,” I say.

“Are you coming for dinner tonight, or having it here?” Adhan asks.

“Here,” Sly says. “I can’t wait to cook something.”

“In that case, we’ll get out of your hair. Enjoy your first night in your new home,” Adhan says, wrapping an arm around Ernest.

“Thanks,” Sly and I say at the same time.

“Justice and I will add our protection around your place as we leave,” Ernest adds.

“Thanks,” both Sly and I say at the same time.

The family turns to leave, Adhan and Kean carrying out the hot water urns. Jude collects all his tools, and Sal finds Connie in one of the front rooms with Nora.

There are hugs and more thank yous, and finally, after waving everyone off, we close our front door.

CHAPTER 39

Ilook at Sly and my brothers and grin. “We’re home.”

We all pile in for a hug.

“Thank you for buying this house,” Enoch says, looking up at us.