Page 30 of Tye

“I haven’t finished. You will also take a punishment from Demi and not complain. Demi will let you know what it is when she’s decided.”

“What!” Eddie shouted as she looked at me. I could see the apprehension in her eyes, and I sent her a wicked smile.

“She was your victim, and Demi could have been seriously harmed last night, if not worse. It’s right she gets a say in your punishment. And to start for the next week, you and you alone will clear the table and wash up by hand!” Phoe announced.

Eddie’s jaw dropped open. I could see she was gearing up to argue.

“Naturally, any arguments will lead to further punishment being meted out,” Phoe stated, and I almost applauded her.

“What about school?”

“When you are at school, you’ll clear dinner plates. Breakfast would be too much to expect. But on the weekends, if you’re here, you are clearing, and you will be getting up early. No lie-ins!” Phoe said and folded her arms. Wow!

Eddie glowered at Phoe, and then at me as Ice chuckled.

“Think of something dirty for her to do. Eddie loathes getting filthy unless she’s up to shit,” Ice murmured.

I choked a laugh down at how easily he threw his sister under the bus.

“You have a rather large garden area,” I said to Phoe, who looked up and nodded. “Eddie should clear the leaves from the trees, etc, with a stick, not a rake.”

Phoe grinned as Eddie glowered even more.

“Nice idea. She can do one hour after school each night.”

“But that means it will never get done!” Eddie cried.

“Then maybe you’ll be more considerate in the future and think shit through!” Phoe shot back.

“Dad!” Eddie wailed.

I saw Drake blanch, but he blanched under Phoe’s stern stare.

“Your Mom’s spoken. Do as she says.” Drake took the wise choice and backed Phoe up.

Eddie looked devastated and began pouting, but when nobody showed any sympathy, she stopped.

“You’re lucky. Had you been mine, I’d have tanned your backside until you couldn’t sit down,” Pops growled at Eddie, who stared at him in horror.

“You could have killed my niece last night. If her pumps and nebulizer hadn’t been to hand, then shit would have hit the fan. Maybe you ought to think about that before starting next time,” Uncle Deke said firmly.

Drake bristled. He clearly didn’t like anyone telling Eddie off, especially Uncle Deke, but he couldn’t argue the point.

Quiet talk broke out as the adults began discussing their day. Being Saturday, the kids weren’t at school, but they all seemed to have plans apart from Eddie.

“Eddie, clear the table, wash up and put away, and head to the stables to muck out. Dad will take you to Calamity and Rosie’s in two hours. Should you not be done, there’ll be further punishment, just in case you’re thinking of dragging your heels,” Phoe said as Eddie sulked in her seat.

Eddie sent Phoe a baleful look but did as she was told.

“What do you have planned today?” Ice asked me.

“I don’t know, to be honest. Usually, I’d be helping around the ranch. Not having something to do is disturbing,” I replied.

“Your uncles and Spike have plans. Fancy a tour of the house and estate?” Ice suggested.

“Yeah, that would be nice. Phoe showed us a few places, but we were on edge, and we can’t exactly head into town,” I answered.

Ice gave me a wink. “There’s plenty to do here!”

---