Jacs elbows her in the ribs as she thrusts her glass forward. “And here’s to us pissing off Vessa. Onwards and upwards. Coulter Team Racing!”
We’re still giggling as I slip my key into Niki’s front door. He keeps saying it’s our house, but I never expected to be a mansion girl, so it’s taking time to sink in.
We’re greeted by Graham, who has a tiara perched on his head.
“What’s happened here?” I whisper to him, scratching him behind the ear. “Where is everyone?”
He wiggles as Tawny, Senna, Sasha, and Jacs stroke him. He leads us to the lounge. We toddle behind him. I’m going to regret that last vodka in the morning.
Tabi sits on the sofa with Connor on one side, drool collecting in his lips as he snores, and Niki on the other, head dipped as he sleeps.
“Well, blow me,” Jacs says as the other three ladies giggle.
The sight of two elite drivers wearing princess gowns and tiaras as they sleep is a bit much for our drunk asses.
“Hey, Mummy, Auntie Senna, Auntie Sasha, Tawny, and Jacs,” Tabi says softly, beaming probably because she’sremembered everyone’s name. She puts her finger to her lips. “You’ve got to be quiet because they’re sleeping.”
“Hey, nugget,” the four of them whisper in turn, although it’s a drunk whisper, so they’re pretty loud.
I cock my finger and call her over. “What did you do to them?” I pull her into my arms.
She shrugs. “They’re Sleeping Beauty. Niki and Connor did the voices, but when they pretended to sleep, they fell asleep for real. Graham and me watched the movie.”
Connor and Niki shuffle as if they’re waking.
“Best nap ever,” Connor says, stretching his arms high.
Niki elbows him. “We’ve got company, mate.”
“Was Connor a good babysitter?” Senna asks, eyeballing him as he rubs his eyes.
“He talked about sliding down the bannister or getting on trays and flying down the stairs, but we couldn’t find any.”
I raise my eyebrows.
“And what was Niki doing while this was happening?” Sasha asks.
“Daddy was hiding all the trays from him.” She giggles, unaware everyone’s jaws have dropped to the floor.
“Say that again, nugget,” Niki says, jumping to his feet. He runs over, which should be hilarious because of his outfit and massive boots, but we’re all focused on the word Tabi used to describe him.
“I said,” she grumbles, drawing it out, “Daddy was hiding all the trays from him.”
He holds out his arms, and she jumps into them from mine. “You called me Daddy.”
Tabi shrugs. “Because you are. You’re my daddy, Niki.” She stills, realising the room is silent. She looks down, then at me. “Is that okay, Mummy?”
“Of course it is.” The three of us attempt a hug. “It’s perfect.”
Niki swipes tears from his eyes. Having this moment in front of our best friends is weirdly perfect.
Jacs’s weeping draws raised eyebrows from Tawny. “It’s the gin,” she replies, “and I’m tired. It’s home time.”
“Sure, of course that’s it.” Tawny fails to hide her chuckles.
“And this princess needs to get home before he turns into a frog,” Senna says, pulling Connor up, who kisses her.
“Love you,” he replies.
