Page 31 of Rescue

“Layla is here!” I hiss in a whisper that’s more panic thanstealth.

“Iamhere,” Layla chimes in like she wants to share our secret.

“Shit,” Jon mutters, sitting bolt upright. He shifts behind me, trying to shield himself with the duvet, his eyes now wide with alarm.

“You said a bad word!” Layla giggles, pointing at him like she’s caught him committing a grand crime.

Jon and I exchange horrified glances, the kind that screamwe’re doomed.

“Layla,” I try, my voice calm but pleading, “why don’t you go and, uh, play?”

“Did you have a sleepover?” she asks instead, ignoring my suggestion entirely.

“Yes,” Jon answers just as I blurt out, “No!”

I whip my head around to glare at him. His raised eyebrows and faint smirk only make me more flustered.

Layla doesn’t miss a beat, her grin widening as she clutches Mr Fluffers to her chest. “I love sleepovers with you, Mummy! We watch cartoons and cuddle, and you read me stories. What story did you read Doctor Jon?”

Jon’s smirk grows, and I shoot him a warning look. “Don’t even think about it,” I whisper.

“Why aren’t you wearing pyjamas?” Layla continues, her eyes narrowing in confusion.

I bury my face in my hands, mortification washing over me in waves. “Layla, I really need you to go and play now so Doctor Jon and I can get dressed. We’ll talk over breakfast, okay?”

“Okay!” she chirps, skipping toward the door.

But before she leaves, she calls over her shoulder, “Here are your trousers, Doctor Jon!” She picks up the rolled-up jeans from next to the door.

“Layla!” I call but before I can scramble out of bed, grabbing the blanket from the chair to wrap around myself, the doorbell chimes.

“I’ll get that,” Layla shouts and dashes off with Jon’s jeans in her hand.

“Brilliant,” I mutter under my breath, because apparently, this morning couldn’t get any worse.

Jon collapses back against the pillows with a groan, dragging the duvet over his head. “Fantastic timing,” he mumbles, his voice muffled.

I grab my robe from the bathroom and fling it on as I rush down the stairs to the door. My toe collides painfully with the corner of the bench in the entrance hall, and I mutter a few choice words under my breath as I limp toward the front door. It’s a good thing there were no other guests staying last night.

By the time I open it, Layla is already there, proudly holding Jon’s jeans like a prized trophy. Standing on the doorstep is Nancy, her arms crossed and a knowing smirk plastered across her face.

“Morning!” she chirps. “Thought I’d pop by a bit early to pick you two up for the farmers market.”

“We overslept,” I blurt out, pulling the robe tighter around me.

Nancy’s eyebrows shoot up as her gaze lands on Jon’s trousers in Layla’s hands. “Looks like I missed an interesting evening.”

“Mummy had a sleepover with Doctor Jon!” Layla announces cheerfully.

I feel my face heat up so fast it’s a wonder I don’t pass out on the spot. Nancy, however, looks like she’s just been handed the gossip of the year.

“Why don’t I help Layla get ready while you...” Nancy pauses meaningfully, her smirk growing, “...and Doctor Jon sort yourselves out?”

“Great idea,” I mutter quickly, trying to snatch the trousers from Layla but she cunningly steps out of reach.I so don’t need this right now.

Layla looks up at Nancy with wide, hopeful eyes. “Can Doctor Jon come with us to the farmers market?”

Nancy grins like the cat that got the cream. “Of course, sweetheart. The more, the merrier.”

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