“Allowed,” Jasper replies. “Just don’t let it tell you lies.”
I huff out a breath. “You two are annoyingly sensible.”
Theo smiles. “Years of practice. Are you getting help?”
“Yeah. I’m in therapy. Ivy gave me Pee-Pee’s details.”
There’s a beat. Jasper’s mouth twitches. Theo’s eyebrows knit together like he’s trying to stay serious.
“And yes,” I add quickly, because I can see where this is going, “I am fully aware of the irony of getting help for my limp dick from a woman called Pee-Pee.”
That does it.
Jasper collapses back into the sofa, laughing. “I mean, the universe really commits to a bit.”
Theo shakes his head, but he’s smiling. “You walked into that one.”
“She’s very good,” I say, defensive again. “Extremely professional.”
“No one’s questioning her credentials,” Jasper says. “Just the cosmic timing.”
Theo glances at me. “Geoff, I’m glad you’re talking to someone. And I’m glad you told us.”
“Yeah,” Jasper adds, sobering. “This isn’t something you should be carrying on your own.”
I nod. “I know. I just… realised I needed some male backup as well.”
Theo reaches over and gives my shoulder a squeeze. Solid. Familiar. No fuss. “You’ve got it. No judgement. No pressure.”
Jasper lifts his beer. “And, if you ever want terrible ideas, I remain on standby.”
I chuckle, chest lighter than it’s been in weeks. “Thanks. Both of you.”
On the telly, England finally manage something that looks vaguely competent.
I lift my glass. “To support. And to not pretending everything’s fine.”
They clink theirs against mine.
“And,” Jasper adds, “to Pee-Pee. Long may she gently dismantle male egos.”
Theo groans. “I hate that sentence.”
But he’s still smiling.
By the time the front door opens again, England have lost narrowly, Jasper has declared the ref unfair, and Theo has accepted this with the tired calm of a man who expected nothing else.
The flat fills up in seconds.
Bags are dumped by the door. Shoes are abandoned wherever they land. Lucy bursts in first, coat half off, announcing loudly that shopping isboringand her legs aretiredand she needs a snackimmediately.
Ivy follows, laughing, arms full of carrier bags. Miranda is mid-story about a jumper that was “basically a bargain” even though it absolutely wasn’t. Christa comes in last, cheeks pink from the cold, looking pleased with herself.
“Did the rugby men win?” Lucy asks, peering at the screen.
“No,” Jasper says. “But they tried.”
Lucy considers this. “They should try harder.”
