Romeo stopped patting Mercutio on the head, and he shot down the stairs.
“What the hell were you even doing up there, bud?”Josh asked him.
Chad smirked.“Probably rolling around on my bed, tearing open the pillows.”
Josh groaned.“Tell me about it, and you didn’t mention he snored ...or farted in his sleep.”
“I couldn’t remember and then when I did ...you’d already found out for yourself.”
“He’s still loveable despite a bit of bad wind.”
“You’re made for each other.”
“Boxing Day,” Josh said.“I’ll come here.I reckon after Ally’s cooking you’ll need a toilet within ten steps at all times or you’ll have an accident.”
“I heard that!”Ally bellowed from outside.
“Go,” Chad said with a chuckle.
He closed the door with a fond sigh.
Romeo came downstairs once the cars were driving away.
“Christmas Day?”Romeo asked.
“I said I’d go round for lunch ...it was that or Ally was going to come here.”
“I’ll prepare you some edible food to take with you.”
Chad scrunched his face.“Probably not a good idea.”
“Why not?”
“I’m a terrible cook.If I show up with decent food, she’ll get suspicious.”
“Point taken.I’ll let you take your specialty of beans on toast.”
Chad laughed softly.He sighed, then itched the back of his head.
“How ...how much of that did you hear?”
“Nothing at all after the door was closed.What did Josh mean things have gotten more complicated?”
Chad gestured to the living room.
Romeo ducked inside first, glancing at Chad over his shoulder.He sat down on the sofa, and Chad sat beside him.Chad’s laptop was open on the coffee table.
“Did they notice the coffee stain on the wall?”
“Ally did.I told her I slipped and threw my coffee.”
Romeo snorted.“And she bought that?”
“She did.Apparently, it’s a very ‘Chad like thing to do’.”He shook his head.“Whatever that means.”
“And did they notice the bruises on your throat?”
“No,” Chad tugged the roll neck of his sweater.“Thanks to this new look.Ally said it suited me.Josh thinks I’m having a mid-life crisis.”
