“I don’t know, lad. Maybe?—”
“Oh, come on,” Blair says, grinning up at me. “Don’t tell me the big scary ferry captain is afraid of a little role-playing.”
There’s a challenge in her voice, and something about it makes my jaw clench. “I’m not afraid of anything.”
“Prove it.”
Finn claps his hands together. “This is going to be brilliant.” He points to the fort. “Get in, Blair! The princess is trapped in the tower, and the dragon is guarding her, and I have to rescue her.”
Blair plays along immediately and crawls into the fort, then peers out at us. “Oh no!” she cries in an exaggerated damsel-in-distress voice. “I’m trapped! Normally, I’d karate-kick the dragon myself, but I’m a little under the weather, so... rescue required.”
Finn giggles and brandishes an imaginary sword. “Don’t worry, Princess Blair! Sir Finn is here to save you.”
Both of them look at me expectantly. Christ. This is ridiculous. I’m a grown man. I don’t do this sort of thing in front of people.
But Finn’s face is so hopeful, and Blair’s watching me with that amused smile, and before I know what I’m doing, I’m dropping into a crouch and letting out a tentative growl.
“That’s it, Da. But scarier!”
Right. No point half-arsing it. I take a deep breath and properly roar, loud enough to make Gus jump and Blair’s eyes go wide with surprise.
“The dragon guards the princess!” I bellow in my best monster voice. “No one may pass.”
Finn shrieks with delight and charges forwards with his imaginary sword. “I challenge you, dragon!”
And suddenly I’m chasing my son around the living room, roaring and stomping, while he squeals and dodges and Blair cheers him on from the fort. It’s completely mad, but Finn is laughing so hard he can barely stay upright, and despite myself I’m starting to enjoy it.
“The knight is quick,” I roar, lunging for Finn and missing deliberately. “But the dragon is quicker.”
“Run, Sir Finn!” Blair calls out. “He’s gaining on you.”
Ten minutes later, we’re all breathless and laughing. Finn has “defeated” the dragon (me lying dramatically on the floor, tongue lolling out), rescued the princess, and saved the kingdom. Blair is clapping and cheering, and Finn looks like he might burst with pride.
“That was amazing, Da,” he says, throwing himself down next to me. “You’re the best dragon ever.”
I sit up and run a hand through my hair. “Aye, well, don’t tell the other dragons. They’ll get jealous. Anyway, as fun as that was, I reckon it’s time for Blair to head back to the flat. She’s probably got things to do, and we need to start thinking about din?—”
“No!” Finn jumps up, his face falling. “She can’t go yet.”
“Finn—”
“Can Blair stay for dinner?” he asks, those big brown eyes doing their thing. “Please?”
Blair laughs awkwardly and holds up her hands. “Oh wow, that’s really sweet of you, but I should?—”
“Please?” Finn turns to her now, and I can see her resolve wavering. “It’s silly for you to go eat by yourself when we’re eating here. We should all eat together.”
Christ. Can’t argue with that logic, but . . .
I look at Blair, hoping she’ll decline and save me from this awkwardness. Instead she watches me with raised eyebrows, waiting formyresponse.
“Fine,” I mutter. “Blair can stay if she wants.”
Finn whirls back to Blair, practically bouncing on the spot as he waits for her answer.
“In that case,” she says, “I accept.”
Well, shit. How has this happened? This is supposed to be our space—me, my boy, and the dog. No one else. And yet here she is, slotting herself in like she belongs.
