Page 119 of Delicious

Elliott shrugs. “School are always doing things to raise money.”

“They ask us for ideas of what they can do.”

“We suggested a cupcake sale.”

I narrow my eyes.

Elliott bounces from foot to foot. “You could make me a birthday cake! I’ve never had a homemade birthday cake!”

You and me both, kid.

“Could you makemea birthday cake, Dad?” Peter asks.

Euan looks terrified.

The boys glance at each other.

“You could work together to make us birthday cakes,” Elliott says.

“That’s a great idea!” Peter says.

“We can talk about cakes when it’s your birthday,” I say.

“I think baking and decorating a cake would be a lot harder than cupcakes,” Euan stammers.

I fold my arms. “Do you have any homework tonight?”

“No,” the boys reply in unison.

“Then why don’t you go play in Peter’s room while we box up the cupcakes to take to school tomorrow?”

Elliott nudges Peter. “See? I told you they’d make a good team.”

“No.Itold you they would.”

They continue arguing as they leave the kitchen and head upstairs.

Euan breathes out and sags against the counter.

“They’re a pair of whirlwinds, but at least they approve of the cupcakes,” I say.

“I’m surprised they didn’t ask to try one.”

“Each.”

Euan chuckles.

I lean against the opposite side of the breakfast bar and tap my finger against the counter. “Euan, we should talk.”

He glances up at the ceiling.

“Relax. They’re probably playing a computer game or creating something out of Lego.”

“This afternoon was fun.”

I smile. “It was.”

Why isn’t he making eye contact with me?

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