Page 23 of Reckoning

Lara wakes me up. She comes bouncing into my room and I groan, pulling the covers over my head hoping she’ll get the hint to piss off and leave me alone. Only she spots me, in the far corner, and runs over to me.

“Wake up. Wake up.” She cries in a far too cheery voice for my liking.

“Go away.” I grumble.

“Did you sleep on the floor?” She asks frowning.

“I fell out of bed.” I lie.

Her face calls bullshit but she doesn’t say it. She just yanks on the covers again. “Come on, Aunty Sofia. Daddy’s making pancakes.”

My stomach grumbles like the traitor that it is and I give in, kicking the duvet off and feel the cold air hit me. I shudder despite the borrowed pjs I have on.

“Why don’t you go down and I’ll see you there?” I say.

Lara shakes her head, putting her hands on her hips. “No.” She says. “Daddy asked me to check on you.”

“Of course he did.” I mutter, grabbing the spare robe and I wrap it round like it might just protect me from all the merriment I’m currently exposed to.

Lara grabs my hand, pulling me from the room and down the stairs so fast I almost trip.

I can hear voices from the kitchen. I can hear the sound of pots and pans and the smell of something delicious cooking.

Roman looks up surprised as we walk in.

“Lara.” He says in a very dad-like tone.

“Daddy?” She says innocently.

“I thought I told you that Aunty Sofia was asleep and not to disturb her.”

She grins, biting her bottom lip. “Is that what you said, Daddy? I thought you said go and wake her up?”

I let out a laugh before he can answer. Rose shakes her head but I can see the grin on her face too.

“Lara.” She says after a moment, no doubt reminding herself that parents are meant to parent.

“It’s okay.” I said sinking into the nearest bar stool, lowering my hand to scratch Bella’s soft ears and she leans into it appreciatively. “I was awake anyway.”

Roman gives me a doubtful look and I do my best to ignore it. Besides, I’ll admit it’s amusing to watch Lara run rings around him the way he did our dad when we were growing up. It’s almost cathartic.

“You okay?” Rose says quietly, once Lara is out of earshot.

“I’m fine.” I say back.

She tilts her head, scrutinizing my face before nodding.

I know she gets it. I know she understands better than Roman, better than anyone. We weren’t all that close before everything kicked off. In truth, I used to think she was a stuck up, prissy bitch. But then I learnt a few things. Realised a few things. They say appearances can be deceptive and that’s never more the case than with my sister-in-law.

Roman starts dishing up pancakes like they’re going out of fashion and Lara pours half a jar of maple syrup on top of hers before anyone can stop her.

“Not a chance.” Rose says pulling the plate away, ignoring the protests of a eight year old and carefully scrapes the copious amounts off into the sink.

“You don’t have to eat any if you don’t want to.” Roman murmurs.

I let out a sigh, pick up a fork and eat some anyway. He may say that but Lara will notice if I don’t eat.

Ben will notice too - and he’ll fuss.