Chapter 23
I’m sat on the floor in the village hall, River nestled in the crook of my arm, watching everything. This is the music circle. There are maracas and tambourines. I’m holding a maraca, gently shaking it in front of him.
Connie is at the painting table, on Sal’s lap.
He’s painting their hands and putting them on the paper, and Jude is sat talking to some other parents.
Kean stayed at the manor with Lyric. We both agreed the punishment should be enforced.
We were just leaving when Adhan reminded me, I needed someone else with me, so Cam volunteered.
He’s currently in the kitchen making drinks.
This village hall is amazing, it’s still so shiny and new, the last one having blown up while we were inside, thanks to the dark witches. We were lucky, apart from smoke inhalation, the only person seriously hurt was Cam, but magic and healing ointment soon healed his burns up.
“Your little River is just precious, Titus,” Isabella, one of the town witches, says.
She is sat on the floor next to me. She’s a few years younger than me and has the longest light auburn hair I’ve ever seen.
When not tied up, it almost touches the ground.
She always has fantastic styles, today it’s braided with lots of plaits interwoven together.
I smile at her. “Thanks. Your little Amy looks cute in that dress.” Little Amy was born about three days before River and is wearing a patchwork dress in different shades of blue. Looks like Isabella doesn’t hold with only blue being for boys.
“I thought you had a toddler as well. I’m sure the town chat mentioned it.”
I nod. “We do. Lyric is sixteen months. He was a terror this morning and, as a consequence, had to stay home with Kean and tidy up the food mess he made.”
Isabella laughs. “I have all that to look forward to. We should set up play dates for River and Amy.”
I laugh. “I literally have no idea what that is.”
“We meet up with the babies, drink coffee and chat about anything and everything.”
“We can do that,” I say happily. Once upon a time, I would never have met up with anyone for coffee, unless it was connected to a work meeting, but now, I have no problem doing that.
I suddenly remember having to have someone else with me if I’m out with any of the children.
“We might have to meet at the manor for a bit, though.”
Isabelle nodded, the smile falling off her face. “Molly messaged us all and told us someone from your family is after you and Cassie. We can meet at yours, and Titus, we’ll all help you with whatever you need.”
I touch her arm. “Thanks, Isabella.”
“Your River is apparently over music and has fallen asleep,” she says, nodding at him.
I glance down, and yep, my boy is fast asleep with a smile on his face. “He’s smiling,” I say in surprise.
“He’s happy. Let me take a picture and I’ll send it to you, and you can share it with Kean when you get home.”
“Thanks, Isabella. I didn’t know babies this age could smile.”
“Sure, they can, you just need to look online and see the videos of smiling babies. There is even one with a newborn flipping his father off.”
I look down at the sleeping River. “Don’t even think about it, Baba.”
An hour or so later, we leave the centre. Sal proudly showing us the hand painted picture. And we heaped praise on it.
“I have a hankering for Chelsea Buns. Who wants one?” I ask, as we near the cars.
They all say yes.
“In that case, I’ll stop at the baker’s on the way home.”
“Can’t wait, see you in a bit,” Jude replies, as he, Sal and Connie walk to their car.
Cam and I walk to mine, and opening the back door, I get River sorted before climbing into the driver’s seat.
“So on a scale of one to ten, how bored were you?” I ask Cam as we drive away.
Cam laughs. “Not too much. It’s good to see what that group does for when Nix and I adopt.”
“Well, any baby or toddler practice you want, I have two you can practice on,” I say, grinning, before parking just down from the bakers. “You can start now by babysitting while I buy goodies.”
Cam chuckles. “I can do that.”
I get out of the car and walk inside. Thankfully, there is only one person in front of me, so it doesn’t take long for me to get served and buy up all the Chelsea Buns.
Patty, the owner, laughs. “Hungry?”
I grin. “In need of sugar and sharing the love with the others. How’s life treating you?”
Patty smiles as she bags up my order. “Perfectly. Melody is simply perfect and loving and kind and gorgeous and just everything.”
“I’m happy for you, Patty,” I reply.
“Thanks, and congratulations on your boys, you and Kean must be over the moon.”
“And tired, mustn’t forget the tired,’ I say, grinning.
Patty burst out laughing as she put all the individual bags into a shopping bag for me. I see her add another bag, but I didn’t see what she put in there.
“Just a little cake for your oldest, my treat.”
“Thanks, Patty. Lyric will love that.”
I pay for my order and thank Patty. As I walk outside, I bump into Sly. “Hey, Sly.”
“Titus, having cakes?” he asks, nodding to the bag.
“Yeah, we've just finished the babies and toddlers’ group, and I needed sugar. What are you doing on your own?”
“Ebby is making his chocolate egg orders, and I’ve just dropped the boys off at the library. I was going to sit in the bakery until they finish.”
“You can always come back to ours. I bought extra cakes,” I suggest, holding up the bag, in temptation.
Sly smiles. “I will do, thanks.”
“We can take my car,” I say, nodding to it.
As we walk towards the car, I'm suddenly hit with a feeling of unease. I reach the car as Cam jumps out, looking concerned.
“What’s wrong?” I ask him quickly.
He nods behind me. “I think Lizzie is over by the hardware store.”
I spin around and see a woman with her back to us, but she looks like my mother, even down to the long, old-fashioned black dress. I turn back around. “Cam, Sly, I need you to get River safely back to the manor,” I say as I shove the bag at Sly.
“I’m not leaving you,” Cam growls out.
“Neither am I,” Sly adds, looking like the very idea was stupid, while grabbing the bag so it doesn’t fall.
I look at them. “Two people with the children remember. I can deal with my mother, but I need River safe,” I all but plead.
“Okay, we’ll be back as soon as we’ve dropped River home,” Cam says.
“Thanks,” I reply, as I turn away and stride off to see why my mother is here.