Page 98 of Dreams Do Come True

“While that was happening, Ben and I took the boys back to the church and walked around the grounds,” Kean says. “So they couldn’t see or hear anything.”

“Does that mean we won’t have any more issues with Septamus now?” Adhan asks.

“Hopefully. I mean, if his boils will never heal, I can’t see him leaving the house ever again. The worst he can do is send us more pictures, but we can delete them,” I say. “And if he buys a spell off the dark web, the town protection wards should stop anything he sends.”

“Good,” Adhan says. “When the wards are next updated, we’ll make sure it stays that way.”

Just then, Justice walked into the kitchen. “Evening, family,” he says, walking over to Alfred, leaning down and kissing him hello.

Emily stands up and gets Justice a fresh mug of coffee.

“Thanks, Emily,” he says, pulling away from Alfred and sitting down.

“Do you want something to eat?” Alfred asks him.

Justice shakes his head. “No, I’m not very hungry, love, a coffee is just what I need.”

“How’s Earl?” I ask him.

“Stubborn,” Justice says with a sigh. “But we did a three-pronged approach and Earl is now safely in the hospital.”

“What about Earl’s shop?” Emily asks, putting a large mug of coffee down in front of Justice.

Justice smiles at her. “Thanks. His nephew, Gordon, is going to be running it for now, long term, who knows,” Justice replies. He looks at me and Kean. “You need to bring River into the surgery so he can be weighed.”

“We can do that tomorrow, if you have time,” Kean says.

“Yep, pop in tomorrow morning and I’ll fit you in,” he says. “We’re only open half day tomorrow.”

I’m surprised the surgery is open at all, considering it’s a bank holiday, but then I guess sickness and injuries can happen any time.

“Will do, thanks, Justice,” I say. “But for now, we need to get the boys down for the night.”

“Lyric’s already asleep, hopefully he’ll stay that way,” Kean adds.

“Doobs, it’s time you went to bed as well,” Nix says.

“Okay. Thank you for dinner, Nana,” she jumps up and moves to stand next to Jude and touches his arm. “Jude, will you read me my story?”

I try not to laugh as she pulls out her ‘I’m too cute to say no to’ look.

Jude, however, does laugh. “Sure, Sweetpea. You get ready for bed, and I’ll check on Connie, then come and read to you.”

She gives him a quick hug. “Thank you, Jude.” And with that, she happily skips off to bed.

“Sucker,” Cam says, as he passes his brother on the way out of the kitchen, Nix at his side, who just laughs.

“Like you can say no to her either,” Jude gripes at him, standing up.

“Pretty sure I’ve managed to say no, once or twice,” Cam replies.

I’m not the only one who laughs as they leave the room.

“Pretty sure he hasn’t,” Alfred said, grinning.

“Is it me, or does the word no not exist when Nora asks something?” Sal asks.

“I’m sure I’ve said no to her once or twice,” Emily says. “Pretty sure I have anyway.”