He crosses his arms across his chest. “Nope, your memory must be tricking you.” A message pings on Blake’s phone. He grabs it out of his pocket and checks the message. “That's just my business partner. I’ve got to get going, we have a project we have to get finished this arvo.”
“Saved by the bell, hey?” I stand up and hug him. “Thanks for breakfast and a fun night, I think?”
“It was fun. We can do it again if you want. See you tomorrow when you drop off your portfolio.”
“Sounds good, see you then.” He walks off around the corner and I make my way home.
This is so frustrating. I’ve been sitting on my laptop trying to work out a business plan for hours, but seriously, this is not my thing. As much as I hate to admit it, I think I’m going to have to ask for help.
I'm dreading dinner tonight. I still don’t feel that crash hot after last night. I have managed to avoid my parents all day by locking myself in my room. But it's 4pm now, and soon my brother Theo and his fiancée Fiona will be here for Sunday family dinner, so I’m going to have to crawl out of my bedroom cave eventually.
I love my big brother but he’s such a mummy’s boy. Ever since he moved out, he’s been coming every Sunday for dinner. I won't admit it to the rest of them, but it is kind of nice to have family around. I didn’t realise how much I missed them all.
There's a knock at my bedroom door and Mum pops her head around the door. “Hey, Elly, you okay? You’ve been in here all day.” She comes in and sits on the bed next to me.
“Yeah, all good, just been trying to work out my business plan.” I sit up and show her my laptop screen. “I’m not getting anywhere.”
“Thought you might’ve been too hungover and trying to avoid us since you didn’t get in till two?”
“Did you wait up?”
“You weren’t exactly quiet when you came in. You were singing and crashing into the walls.” She laughs at me.
I smack my head. “Sorry, Mum, that's so embarrassing.”
“Sounds like you had a good time. I’d say that's a good thing, honey. You know, if you want to bring boys home it's okay with us. We like Blake, he’s a nice boy. You don’t have to worry about all that. Your father and I don’t mind, we know you're a grown-up now.”
Oh my, I’m way too tired and old to be having this conversation. I need to find a place to live as soon as I can. I need to change the subject. “Did I tell you I got a job today? You remember Indie from school? I ran into her when I went for a coffee and she offered me a job. So I might be out of your hair sooner rather than later.”
“That’s great, honey, but don’t feel like you need to rush. You can stay as long as you need to. It's been nice having you home.” She puts her arm around me and pulls me into her.
“Thanks, Mum, but you know me, I need my ‘independence’,” we both say together.
“Yes, I know, but the offer stands as long as you need it. Now come downstairs and help me get sorted for dinner. Your brother will be here soon and apparently they have news.” She pats her belly and raises her brow.
“You think? But they're not married yet.”
“That's my guess.”
Interesting. They’re not mucking around, they only just got engaged. “I'll just have a quick shower then I’ll be down to help.”
I walk into the kitchen to see Theo and Fiona are already here.
“You're finally gracing us with your presence, sis.”
“Hey, guys, what’s going on with you?”
“Well, we were waiting for you to get here so we could tell you all some exciting news,” Theo announces, standing behind Fiona with his arms wrapped around her. They look so in love.
“We're having a baby!” Fiona yells excitedly. “Sorry, Theo, you were taking too long.”
We all hug and congratulate them. Mum takes Fiona under her arm and they go off excitedly into the study to look at the ultrasound images. Mum's been dying for a grandchild, and that gets me off the hook for a little while longer.
I grab two beers from the fridge and hook arms with Theo. “Let's sneak outside before Mum makes me help.”
He takes the second beer, giving me his signature cheeky wink.
“Wow, Theo, that's exciting news, you're going to be a dad.”
“Yeah, it was a bit of a surprise. We were going to wait till after the wedding, but that can wait now. We're both so excited.”
We sneak out to the back deck and sit in the swinging egg chairs. “Can you believe our yard’s about to be turned into holiday accommodation?” I whine, with a pout.
“Yeah, I know, there's so many good memories out here, but I think it’ll be good for Dad. He needs a change, he's not himself lately.”
“Yeah, I noticed that too! Do you think he’s all right?”
“I think he's just ready for a change, something more positive. Working on the force can be mentally draining, I would know, and he’s been there for nearly forty years. It's a long time to be on the force.”
I can't stop picking at the label on my beer. It's annoying me. “Yeah, that's probably it.”
“Everything all right with you, sis? Mum tells me you went out with some guy last night. I think she's marrying you off to him already.”
I roll my eyes at him. “Of course she is! He’s not some guy, he’s just our builder, Blake, and it wasn’t a date, we just hung out.”
“Likely story. But do you mean the builder from The Green Door?”
“Yeah, I think that's what the business is called. Why?”
“Do you think that's such a good idea? You know his business partner,
