Ten burps louder.
Cricket shoots a look at me, then she pounds her chest, and the loudest burp I’ve ever heard a human being make comes out of her mouth.
Ten and Pip gape at her.
I duck back behind the barrels and laugh as silently as I can until I’m wheezing. And even though my phone doesn’t have signal, I send a text to her anyway.
Can you do that on command?
“Burp wine,” Ten and Pip crow together.
Cricket catches my eye again and slides a look at Pip.
And I’m back in my EMT days, getting a look from my partner that saysget in here because shit’s about to get really bad.
I stroll fully into the room. “There you are. Pip, Mabel was looking for you. Something about a missing eyeball?”
True enough.
She was in her workroom muttering to herself about a missing eyeball when I carried Caro’s bags up the stairs.
Ginny’s taking point on showing her sister around the property to work out the best place for the ceremony and all of the wedding trappings.
That’s all going fine.
“Why does Mabel want to sight my sing ball?” Pip says.
Ten shakes with laughter. “A sing ball. Pip, you’re awesome.”
“Aneyeball, Pip,” I say.
“Oh! Oh! I know where Mabel’s eyeball is!” Cricket says. “I show can you.”
“Show can,” Ten howls.
“Up shut,” Cricket says, showing him her ring finger.
She crosses her eyes at her hand, pushes down her ring finger with her other hand, and lifts her middle finger.
He doubles over, wheezing.
Cricket slides another look at me and winks again.
And then Pip sways.
While sitting down.
Fuck.
“Hey, kiddo.” I squat next to her. “Nap time.”
Cricket flashes me six fingers.
I hope she means cups and not bottles.
Six of these small plastic cups are probably fine.
Six bottles, we’re headed to the emergency department.
