Page 125 of Set Me On Fire

I was trying to explain, but my sister was cutting me off at the knees again. This was the real reason why I didn’t want Millie meeting Astrid.

“We talked about this.” Astrid’s hands went to her hips. “I don’t want the boys being introduced to whichever chick you’re banging this week. Serious girlfriends only, remember?”

Remember. Such a simple word, but one laden with additional meaning in my family. Every raised voice, every irritated aside contained that word. I didn’t remember to take the washing out or to bring it in when it started to rain, getting too caught up in whatever I was doing. I didn’t remember school excursion notes, and so my parents were forced to leave workto come down and sign them on the day. I didn’t remember birthdays or important events, even things I’d done, my brain moving on way faster than anyone else’s did. Astrid didn’t need any reminders on her phone, having everything planned out meticulously, and heaven help anyone who messed with it.

Especially me.

“I’ll let the boys know that there’s been a change in plan,” Astrid said in a low voice. “I’ll reschedule the hair appointment.” That concession was dragged out of her, kicking and screaming. “But you could’ve told me you had a date planned last night. It’s a lot easier to redirect the kids before they’ve spent the morning getting ready. Next time?—”

“She’s the mother of my child.”

I was not going to tell my family about Millie until I absolutely had to. Probably because I knew how they were going to react. Slack-jawed and blinking at first, then a deep line formed between my sister’s brows.

“Child… You…”

“Charlie!” My two nephews, Billy and Ben, appeared in the doorway, grinning madly before throwing themselves at my legs. “Are we going to Tree Climb? Are we? Are we?”

“Sure are.”

That’s all I got out before they started peppering me with their ideas.

“I’m gonna climb the highest tree, right up into the sky, and I’m not even gonna use a rope,” Benny said.

“Ah, they don’t let you climb anywhere without safety ropes,” I said.

“I’m gonna swing from tree to tree like Tarzan!” Billy added.

“Will not.” Ben screwed up his face and looked his brother up and down doubtfully. “You’re too much a scaredy cat.”

“Am not!”

“Are too!”

I stepped between the two of them, stopping the pushing and shoving in its tracks before fixing the two of them with a steely glare.

“Here’s the deal, kids. You’ll follow all of the safety procedures and have good, safe fun.” I put extra emphasis on the word safe. “Or we won’t go to Tree Climb.” I could feel Astrid’s eyes boring into the back of my neck, daring me to disappoint her. “We can go to the state art gallery where there’s no running, no talking, no making a sound, and look at a lot of paintings of old dead people.”

The boys quietened down instantly, taking an extra step away from each other to ensure one didn’t incite the other to start fighting again.

“We got our water bottles,” Ben said, thrusting his out.

“And I’ve got the sunscreen,” Billy added. “We’ll be good, promise.”

“Awesome, because I want to introduce you to someone special.”

I figured just meeting these little monkeys would be all Millie could cope with today, but my sister had other ideas.

“We should all meet this someone special.” Her steady gaze made clear that we would be having conversations, so many conversations, about my inadvertent big reveal. “Let’s say hello, boys.”

As I approached the car,I mouthed the word sorry. Millie’s eyebrows shot upwards but she rallied quickly, getting out of the passenger side door with a well-practised smile.

“Hi, I’m Millie.”

I nearly kicked my sister’s ankle when she just stared at my girl’s outstretched hand. Instead of being polite, Astrid was inspecting Millie, looking for evidence of the pregnancy I hadrevealed. Mum had taught her too well, though. Astrid rallied quickly and smiled back, shaking Millie’s hand.

“Astrid. Nice to meet you. We don’t meet a lot of Charlie’s girlfriends.”

“Girlfriend?” Billy looked up at me with a squint. “You’ve got a girlfriend, Uncle Charlie?”

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