Page 73 of Swan

Zara let go of my arm and walked around the counter to hug Mum. “Wench. Ruby’s bringing the salads.”

“Okay. Swan, grab out some cutlery and put it on the table.”

“You got it.” I caught Dad and Talon talking out the back as Dad grilled some meat on the barbeque. Just as I placed the knives and forks down, I heard the door open.

“We’re here,” Ruby called.

“Kitchen,” Mum yelled back.

Ruby and her boyfriend entered with a smile and carrying two big bowls. One was filled with potato salad, and the other looked like a Greek one.

“Hi,” I said, taking Dillon’s bowl off his hands.

“Hi, everyone,” Dillon said.

“Huh, he’s still going strong,” Mum mock whispered to Zara, who shook her head.

“Aunt Dee, don’t start,” Ruby said with a glare.

Mum laughed. “Only teasing. It’s good to see you, Dillon.”

“You too, Mrs Daniels.”

Once Ruby placed her salad on the counter, she dragged Dillon outside.

“Is Talon still calling him Dilbert?”

Zara groaned. “He uses anything other than his name. But Dillon’s used to it now. He finds it funny.”

“Hello, my pumpkins” was yelled from the living room.

Julian had arrived. He entered with his husband, Mattie, who was Zara’s brother, and their daughter, Aeila.

We all greeted one another, and I pulled Aeila aside. “How were those books?”

“Good. But I’m all done with them, so I’ll have to come and change them. But it’ll have to be on the weekend or after school since I’m now back.”

I smiled and nodded. “I’m there all the time.”

“Is Nick gaming?” she asked.

“No doubt. He hides when there’s things to do.”

She giggled.

“Can you go get him and tell him to come socialise?” Dear God, I sounded like my mother.

“I’m on it.” She took off.

“Aeila’s going to drag Nicky out,” I told the others.

“Perfect.” Mum grinned.

Mattie snorted. “She’ll probably start gaming with him.”

“She games?” Zara asked.

“It’s only new,” Julian said.

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