‘Yeah.’ Kaleb lifted a ball and made a practice swing that also seemed to involve shaking his head so that his long curly fringe swung out of his eyes.
‘Then let’s get the ball rolling.’ Sam rubbed his hands together.
Jacob and Kaleb groaned.
‘Do not start with the dad jokes.’ Kaleb pulled a face.
‘You love it.’ Sam gave him a little nudge.
‘You wish.’ Kaleb turned to Clara. ‘Does he do this to you too, or is it just us?’
‘Oh, definitely to me too… and everyone.’ Clara smiled at him, then shot Sam a teasing look. He grinned back at her. Even inthis neon lit hall, his blue eyes glinted like jewels. She’d only known Kaleb and Jacob for about half an hour, but already she felt at ease with them – very like the way she’d felt when she first met Sam. They may not look like him with their darker hair and brown eyes, but their warm personalities had clearly been shaped by him.
‘Yeah,’ Jacob piped up, still choosing which ball he liked best. ‘But Kaleb does it himself. His jokes are so cringe.’
‘Seriously, bro.’ Kaleb narrowed his eyes at his younger brother.
‘Why did the bowler bring a ladder to the game?’ Sam said, leaning on Kaleb’s shoulder.
Kaleb groaned, covering his face with his long, thin fingers. ‘No, no—’
‘To reach thehigh scores.’ Sam held out his hands. ‘They’re not going to get any better.’
Clara snorted despite herself. ‘Ok, that’s terrible.’
‘What?’ Sam winked at her. ‘I’m misunderstood by my own people. The kids at school love them.’
‘Bet they don’t,’ Kaleb mumbled to Clara, raising an eyebrow so it disappeared into his hair.
‘Oh, I don’t know.’ Clara lifted a bowling ball. ‘He’s very popular.’
‘Thanks.’ Sam moved up beside her to choose a ball.
‘You’re up first.’ Jacob tapped her on the arm, grinning broadly. Freckles covered his nose and cheeks, which had cute little dimples. His hair was a similar sandy brown to his brother, but cut shorter.
‘Me? Am I? Eek.’ Clara lined up her shot, ignoring the commentary from the boys behind her. She wasn’t bad at bowling, but it had to be about ten years since she’d done it. The ball rolled straight for the gutter before she even had a chance to hope.
‘Uh-oh,’ Kaleb said dramatically. ‘Gutterball on the first go? That’s harsh.’
‘You jinxed me.’ Clara turned back to him and raised an eyebrow.
‘Me?’ Kaleb feigned innocence. ‘Wouldn’t dream of it.’
Jacob was up next, swinging his arm back and forward. He bowled a slow, wobbly shot that somehow knocked down six pins.
‘Yes!’ He fist-pumped, turning to Kaleb. ‘Beat that.’
‘Easy.’ Kaleb grabbed his ball with exaggerated confidence, rubbing it in his hands as he sized up his shot.
Sam shook his head at Clara. ‘This could get very competitive.’
‘And are you the worst for that, by any chance?’
‘Probably.’ He glanced at his feet with a caught-out smile.
‘Clara,’ Kaleb said as they waited for their turn, ‘do you know why bowling is Dad’s favourite sport?’
‘I’m afraid to ask.’ Clara raised an eyebrow at Sam.
