Page 127 of Set Me On Fire

“They do when they’re not hyped up, excited by the idea of climbing through the treetops.” She looked up at the cluster of trees, rope bridges and obstacles joining them together. “They’re out doing something fun. There’s other kids screaming and carrying on.” The sounds of other children enjoying themselves to the max filtered through. “They’ve got energy to burn and are beyond ready to let that out.”

I stopped then, her even tone, her reasonable explanation a complete contrast to what my parents would’ve said if they were here instead of us. Sharp words, a sharper slap on my arse to correct my behaviour, that’s what I got growing up, but faced with the same set of circumstances I couldn’t find it in myself to do the same. Ben and Billy were no doubt gnashing their teeth, but I stopped then, stepping in to wrap my arms around Millie.

“You’re going to be an amazing mum, you know that, right?”

“I’m not sure I share your confidence right now. Those boys…”

We turned around to see my nephews almost vibrating with anticipation. If they could’ve persuaded the staff that they belonged to other parental groups, they would’ve. Anything to get going. I sucked in a breath, noting the moment when my dream of making our way through the course at a leisurely pace died. Sneaking a kiss against a tree, holding Millie’s hand and helping her across the obstacles, none of that was going to happen.

“Let's get the little monsters climbing,” I said to her, “before they start scaling the tree trunks by themselves.”

“Let's do it.”

Chapter 56

Millie

“You’re going to be an amazing mum…”

Charlie’s words came back to haunt me as soon as we started the course. I watched him attach the boys’ safety ropes, the carabiners humming as the boys were off, skipping over obstacles like they were nothing and running ahead.

“Boys!” Charlie shouted, but the kids were too caught up in the buzz of an unfamiliar adventure. “The little bastards…” he muttered to himself. “Mills, I’ve got to go after them.”

“I guess we aren’t getting takeaway for lunch today,” I said in an overly loud voice.

That was manipulative as shit, but hey, if it was good enough for my mother, it was good enough for me. The boys froze and then came back to us at a much slower pace.

“Sorry.”

They both looked honestly apologetic about going off without us, and while I wasn’t sure how sincere that was, I could work with faux contrition as well as genuine.

“We need to work together,” I told them, bending down slightly to get more on their level. “You boys are obviously very good at climbing.”

“The best!” Ben popped his biceps, dragging a chuckle out of me.

“Well, I’m not.” I looked down and instantly regretted it because the first stage was a series of swinging steps, each one like a wood and rope swing. “And if we’re going to do this, we need to stick together. Do you think you can help me get through the course?”

Two sets of eyes snapped up to focus on me, and I saw a healthy mix of compassion and self-interest there.

“Then we get takeaway for lunch?” they asked me.

“If we all get through the course together,” Charlie told them in a firm tone. Watching the kids’ eyes swivel his way, the way they paid attention when he spoke made me smile. “You run ahead, you’re getting your own food. Stick with us…”

A quick nod made clear they understood the assignment.

“Hold my hand,” Billy said so-very seriously. “I’ll help you, Auntie Millie.”

I wasn’t sure where the auntie bit had come from. The kids had put me into the family framework within seconds of our introductions. Astrid? Not so much. I saw those narrowed eyes, that questioning look, and knew Charlie would be in for a grilling later, but I couldn’t focus on that right now.

“The steps are moving allthe time.” Billy’s foot shot out and he stopped the first one, holding it in place with a hand on the rope. “But if you grab it and hold it still?—”

“You can take the first step.”

I thought I had it, pushing off confidently only to find the way the step swung alarming. A little yelp had Charlie appearing beside me.

“This was your idea of a date?” I hissed under my breath.

“Something fun—” he replied.

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