Chapter 39
Shortly after Noah had left, Joel came yawning through to the kitchen. He looked rough; he’d drunk more alcohol than his brothers had yesterday and was clearly still suffering.
‘All right?’ Marc asked as he pulled another mug from the cupboard and, without being asked, filled it with coffee and placed it in front of his younger brother.
‘Thanks.’ Joel sipped the coffee. ‘Got any sugar?’
‘Nope,’ Marc grinned. ‘There’s honey, if you want it.’
Joel grimaced. ‘I’ll keep it as it is.’
They sipped their coffee in silence, Marc noticing how tired Joel looked. He wondered if the drinking was a way to blot out his worries about losing his job. It would be characteristic of Joel to try to avoid thinking about it by invoking the oblivion of booze.
‘Got any plans for today or tomorrow?’ he asked.
Joel shook his head. ‘Not really. Saving myself for the London trip.’
In his current state, Marc wouldn’t have let his sons out of the door with Joel, but in a couple of days’ time, he was bound to be back on form, and Bella and Noah were really the ones in charge. He swallowed his first response and merely said. ‘Yeah, that’s still fine.’
‘What about you? Any plans for the next couple of days? Or are you saving yourself for a night of passion with what’s-her-name? You seemed to be getting on very well yesterday.’
‘Her name is Lauren, and that’s none of your business,’ Marc said firmly.
‘However, she is coming over tomorrow to see me and the boys – we wanted to bake some cakes for her, as an additional thank you for the excellent job she did on the birthday cakes, but she’s offered to bake her signature recipe with the boys. ’
Joel let out a low whistle. ‘So she’s coming round and doing all the work? Smooth, mate, very smooth.’
Marc’s irritation prickled. ‘She offered.’
‘All right, all right.’ Joel held up a hand. ‘I’m only joshing with you. Keep your hair on. What time’s she getting here?’
‘About two o’clock.’
Joel grinned. ‘Well, I’ll make sure I’m out of your hair. Wouldn’t want the old Joel Hathaway charm to distract from your sad efforts to pull her, would we?’
Gritting his teeth, Marc reminded himself silently that if he rose to Joel’s attempts to rile him, his brother would probably hang around the lake house tomorrow afternoon just to wind him up. ‘I’d appreciate that,’ he replied, trying to keep his tone carefully neutral.
‘No worries, bro. I’ll get myself off to the pub or something. I’m sure a few pints of scrumpy will keep me out of trouble.’
Looking at the after-effects of a fair few glasses of booze yesterday, Marc wasn’t so sure it would, but again, he held his tongue. ‘Thanks, mate.’
‘Got any toast?’ Joel asked. ‘I think the coffee’s sorting out my hangover and I’m starving.’
‘Sure,’ Marc replied. ‘There’s bread in the box on the counter. Help yourself.’ This isn’t a B&B, he added silently. ‘I’d better go and check on the boys.’
Marc loved both of his brothers, but having Joel in his face 24/7 was already beginning to wear on him.
He was starting to count the hours until Joel would be going off to London.
Weirdly, though, he also knew he’d miss Joel when he decided to go back home.
Family, he thought wryly. Can’t live with them…
The four adults had decided that Marc should be the one to tell the twins about the surprise mini break. Bella had secured the tickets late yesterday evening, and Noah had booked the hotel. The plan was all good to go.
‘Hey,’ Noah said as he entered the living room.
Glued to the Switch, the boys replied without moving their gaze from the TV screen.
Knowing it would be pointless to try to talk to them until they finished their current round of Mario Kart, he took a seat on the other sofa.
Eventually victorious, Liam did a victory lap around the living room, before coming to sit again next to his dad and brother.
‘So,’ Marc began. He told them about the London plan and Liam looked immediately thrilled. Luca, who wasn’t quite such a big Minecraft fan, less so, but when Marc explained that the Natural History Museum was on offer, too, Luca perked up.
‘And you can take lots of pictures and call me whenever you want to.’
‘Promise?’ Luca said.
‘Promise.’
After a couple more games of Mario Kart, Marc let them know about the tea party with Lauren tomorrow. Both seemed keen, Luca especially. When he went off to finish the picture he was colouring for Lauren, Marc took the opportunity to have another game with Liam.
‘Are you excited about going away with Uncle Noah, Uncle Joel and Aunt Bella?’
Liam nodded. ‘Yeah.’ Then, with a glint in his eye, asked: ‘Will we have to share a room with Uncle Joel? I heard you talking about bunk beds last night.’
Marc laughed. ‘Weren’t you asleep?’
Liam shook his head. ‘And I heard Uncle Joel snoring last night, too. I don’t want to share with him!’
‘Lies, all lies!’ Joel, obviously feeling better, ran through the living room door and proceeded to tickle Liam until he begged for mercy.
Marc shook his head. With his brother staying, it really did feel as though there were three kids to look after.