Page 42 of All Yours

‘You were working late last night.’

A woman’s voice cut through his tired reverie, and he glanced up to see Erin standing in the doorway of his office. Her headphones were hanging around her neck, her sleeves rolled up.

‘Sorry?’ Fox said, blinking away from his computer screen.

‘The email update,’ she said as she crossed the office. ‘It was past eleven when you sent it out.’

He rolled his shoulders, nodding. God, he was tired.

‘Everything you suggested for next steps made total sense,’ Erin continued. ‘I’ve updated my schedule accordingly.’

‘Great, thanks,’ he said, stretching his arms above his head.

‘Looks like next week especially will be a pinch point,’ she said. ‘I’m more than happy to work extra hours to get stuff done.’

‘Thanks, Erin,’ he said with a smile. ‘You’d be my first port of call.’ It was true. Her work was exemplary, and she was good, easy company.

Fox rolled his shoulders again and frowned. The hours in front of a screen were taking their toll.

‘Looks like you could do with a massage,’ Erin said. ‘There’s a great place around the corner. Elle’s Belles. You should try it.’

It was a nice thought. He could do with working out some of the tension in his muscles.

‘Honestly, I went for a massage there and they made me moan out loud.’

Fox snorted quietly without meaning to. Erin blinked and then giggled.

‘You know what I mean!’ She nudged him with her elbow, a flush pinking her cheeks. ‘It’s just the way they use their hands.’

He laughed harder and she rolled her eyes.

‘I’m out of here,’ she said, smiling. ‘Glad I’ve entertained you and your filthy mind!’ She adjusted her headphones as she walked away, and Fox spotted her headphones had cat ears on them.

‘I like your ears,’ he called, smiling, but she didn’t hear him.

His phone beeped.

Brothers from Another Mother WhatsApp group

Alex: Amber and I are taking Jayden to fireworks on Saturday. Anyone up for it?

Etienne: Yep, we’ll be there.

Walker: Sorry, will be busy night for me. I’m on shift.

Fox: Count us in. See you there at 6.

The next night, both boys were hyper, wrapped up in coats and scarves, excited by being out in the dark. Fox held a tight grip on their hands as they weaved their way across the common, which was teeming with people. He’d made a point of inviting Millie to join them, but she’d had to decline as she was in bed with a bad cold, although she hated to miss it.

He spotted Etienne first in a big duffel coat, and Isabella snuggled against his chest. Alex and Amber were there already too, wearing matching bobble hats and eating hot dogs. He edged his way through the crowd to join them. This was the first year it had been like this. Etienne and Alex in couples. Last year, Fox and the guys had watched the fireworks together with his boys and then they’d all gone back to his for a few beers when the boys were in bed. This year, he didn’t think that would be happening. He briefed the boys on staying close by with Jayden and they jostled a little closer to the front of the viewing area for the fireworks.

‘How you doing, man?’ Alex asked, his arm casually slung around Amber’s shoulder.

‘How’s the deadline?’ Etienne asked from over Isabella’s head.

‘On schedule, just about . . .’ Fox said.

‘And the childcare?’