GEMMA
“Ace, get up.”I knock loudly on his door. There’s no answer. “I’m coming in.”
Eden is standing behind me. “Ace, get up,” Eden calls.
“Eden,” I say, giving her a stern look.
She pouts at me, the little madam.
“I’m coming in,” I tell Ace for the last time.
Turning the handle, I step in. His room is a disaster. It looks like a bomb exploded in it. I have to clean it up. I find Ace hiding under his quilt.
“Get up, Mister. You don't want me to call your dad.”
“I’m sick,” Ace says in a muffled voice.
I pull the cover back and place my hand on his head. He feels fine, and he looks fine. I have a sneaky suspicion he's trying to get out of going to school, but there must be a reason for that.
“Look, we can do this the easy way or the hard way,” I say, placing my hands on my hips.
Eden pokes her head out from behind me, but she keeps quiet for a change.
“What’s the easy way?” he asks.
“You tell me the real reason why you don’t want to go to school," I offer.
"Or?" he asks, raising his eyebrow and looking so much like his father.
"Or I call Father Christmas and tell him you're being naughty.” My eyes go wide.
“No,” he groans. "Please don't."
“Thought so. Spill, kiddo.” I sit on the edge of his bed. Eden stands next to me, watching.
“Go away,” Ace orders her.
I look at Eden. “Please go to your bedroom so Ace and I can have a private conversation.”
“Why?” she whines.
“I need to speak to your brother alone,” I say.
“That’s not fair.” Eden stomps her foot.
“No tantrum. Life isn’t fair,” I reply. She walks off, but the footsteps stop far short of her bedroom door.
“Eden,” I warn. I hear her stifle a giggle.
“I’m in my room,” Eden says trying to be quiet. She thinks she's got one up on us.
Ace and I look at each other. “No ice cream after school,” I call. We can hear her footsteps getting further away as she runs off.
“Dad said no more ice cream anyway,” Ace points out. He's trying to distract me, but it won't work.
“Your dad isn’t in charge of you while he's at work, and what do we say if he asks?” I raise an eyebrow.
“Gemma gave us a carrot stick and an apple until dinner was ready.” Ace can't help his smile.
