Page 97 of Delicious

“Dad!” Peter runs out of the kitchen and barrels into me with the force of a cannon ball.

“Oof!” I’m winded, and my chest is a little sore from the tackling bear hug he’s giving me. I embrace him and ruffle his hair. “Did you have a good day at school?”

“Yes.”

“What did you do?”

“Can’t remember.”

Cameron laughs. “That’s all I got out of them too.”

“Honestly, I think I’d be more worried if Peter could give me a blow-by-blow of his school day.”

“Right? I’d be wondering who had replaced my kid brother and what they’d done with him.”

Elliott, who is leaning against the kitchen doorframe, sticks his tongue out at his older brother.

“Cameron said you have a letter to give me,” I say to Peter.

“Oh, right. I’ll go get it.” He dashes off, almost colliding with Elliott in his haste. He returns seconds later, not panting despite his exertion, and hands me the letter. “Year six are having a bake sale on Wednesday next week. They want all the parents to send cakes in by Tuesday.”

I scan the letter. “Oh, no problem. I’ll pick some up from the supermarket on Sunday.”

Peter pulls a face.

“What?”

He clasps his hands behind his back and swings from side to side. “I was hoping you’d make them this time.”

“I don’t think?—”

“Cam’s going to make cupcakes, aren’t you?” Elliott asks.

Cameron blushes and rubs the back of his neck. “They kind of talked me into it.”

“I’m not sure I have the time. I have a lot of coursework marking to do.” Plus, I’ve never made a cupcake in my life.

“You’re a drama teacher. How much marking can you have?” Elliott asks.

“El!” Cameron says.

“What? It’s true. It’s all prancing around, pretending to be a tree.” He holds his arms out like branches.

Peter joins in, and together, they dance around the hallway.

I can’t help but chuckle. Loudly. “It’s more than pretending to be a tree, and my students do have to do some writing.”

Cameron mock gasps, which makes me laugh harder.

“Anyway…” Peter draws the word out as he stands in front of me, hands clasped in supplication. He wouldn’t look amiss in a performance of a Greek tragedy.

“I’ll buy cupcakes,” I say decisively.

“But you have Monday off.” Peter pouts.

“And a mountain of marking to get through.”

“Cam’s going to be baking cakes on Monday. You could do it together. Teamwork makes things faster, right?” Elliott says.

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