Page 68 of The 3am Shattered Mums' Club

‘Maybe it because you do no cleaning. I do cleaning and I look old.’

Mel laughed loudly. ‘You don’t. You look great. Anyway—’ Mel stood up and took an envelope from the kitchen side ‘—here’re your wages and a little extra. Daz, me and the kids are off on a little break, so we want you to take one too. I’ve paid you for the time we’re away.’

‘You pay me for not working?’ Ksenia looked horrified.

‘Yes, Ksenia – it’s called holiday pay.’

Ksenia shook her head but took the envelope and stuffed it into the top of her leggings.

‘Don’t you carry a bag?’ Mel asked.

‘Yes, but no robber dare touch me down here.’ Pointed to her crotch. She stood up and picked up her phone and car keys and headed for the front door.

‘Thanks, Ksenia. See you in a week’s time.’

* * *

‘We thought you weren’t coming,’ Aisha said at the door. Mel was sweating in places she didn’t even know she could sweat.

‘I wouldn’t miss this for the world.’ She walked down Aisha’s hallway and to the basement door. ‘I take it we’re down here?’

‘Yep, all ready and waiting,’ Aisha said.

‘Brilliant. I’ve always wanted to do a podcast. But I never thought I would know what to do one about,’ Mel said.

‘Well, you don’t have to worry about that now, do you?’ Aisha said as Mel arrived at the bottom of the stairs and Sophy stood to greet her. ‘Oh, you came,’ Sophy said sweetly. Mel noticed there was a glow about Sophy, a sparkle in her eyes that hadn’t been there a week ago. She kissed Sophy on the cheek.’

‘You look very well, my love,’ Mel said knowingly. ‘And why did everyone think I wouldn’t come?’ Mel said. ‘Hi, Charley.’ She went over and gave Charley a kiss on the cheek.

‘Hi, Mel, you all set?’ Charley said, looking professional as she fiddled with some buttons.

‘Ready as I’ll ever be,’ Mel said, dropping her handbag in the corner of the room.

‘I can’t quite believe this is happening,’ Sophy said, picking Max up off the floor where she had laid him to take a flat lay.

‘It was all Charley’s idea,’ Aisha gushed and put her arm on Charley’s shoulder.

Charley kissed her full on the lips.

‘Well, I just thought I’m down here with all this recording equipment and jingle music, and you girls are chatting away at 3 a.m., talking about babies and sleepless nights and all the rest of it, so I figured why not just get it on a podcast?’ Charley said as she fiddled with her complex-looking mixing station.

‘Oh, girls,’ Sophy said ‘I haven’t told you the best bit! That nutritional drink company I was working with are starting a range of baby foods and have agreed to sponsor the show!’

‘So that means we get paid?’ Aisha asked brightly.

‘Not millions, but it’s a start!’ Sophy said excitedly.

‘And we’re still happy with the name of the podcast?’ Mel asked.

‘The 3 a.m. Shattered Mums’ Club!’ Aisha and Sophy called out in unison.

‘What else could it possibly be?’ Sophy said grinning from ear to ear.

* * *

2.43 a.m. – Sophy:Okay. I hope you’re both up, I know some of the babies are sleeping a bit better so I’m taking a chance here. You were right. There is someone I have my eye on. But it feels weird because it is so soon after Jeff and I’m a new mum and my fanny is still in tatters and I can barely stay awake to watch an entire episode ofLine of Dutyand my breasts are huge milking machines.

2.56 a.m. – Mel:OMG OMG OMG I knew it, I knew it, I knew it. When I saw you today in the basement, you were literally glowing.??

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