Limping through the door Kate was almost in tears. Her feet and calves were killing her from walking around in her heals. Sitting on the bottom step she eased them off her feet rubbing where they had pinched and gone red.

She placed them down on the cool laminate floor. It was a slight relief from the throbbing pain that was coursing through her feet.

"it told you those shoes were a bad idea" Mike grinned walking in allowing Chris to slide off his back on to the sofa. Chris was almost falling asleep where he stood

"shut up and help me up" she grinned holding her hand out.

Sliding her feet in to her slippers she limped in to the kitchen. Leaning against the door she watched as Grace emptied her treat bucket on to the kitchen table. Sorting through her sweets.

Although initially they were only going to follow the pumpkin trail there were several houses still doing a more Covid safe trick or treat. So they all managed to get a huge hall of sweets and chocolates.

"Grace no more sweets tonight" Kate said limping over "you have eaten enough"

"i wasn't going to eat any honest" grace looked up I was only going to see what I had!"

Folding her arms Kate smiled. Whenever grace used, I wasn't and honest, it usually meant she was if she hadn't been caught, "well you can look in the morning. Put them away please then go and get ready for bed" Kate said as mike edged round in to the kitchen.

"okay" Grace sulked scooping everything in to her bucket and made to walk out with it.#

"and you can leave that on the table please" Kate frowned knowing if it went upstairs grace would be up forever on a sugar high to end all sugar highs.

"but what if Burgereres get in and take my sweets I need to keep them safe" Grace protested

Shaking her head her daughter had got guts. "i think any burglars would be more interested in the car, computer or TV." Kate frowned "leave it on the table and off to bed"

"but they may take my sweets. What if they hear daddy and then decide just to take my sweets" Grace protested?

Looking over Kate could see Mike doing his best not to laugh from the other side of the kitchen

"any time you want to jump in Flynn" Kate smiled

"Grace your sweets will be fine now do as mummy says and get off to bed." Mike frowned

"but daddy!" Grace tried to protest

"Bed now!" Mike called raising his eyebrows

"okay" grace sulked walking out knowing better than to

Kate turned to follow them out to get them all sorted.

"I'll Do that" Mike smiled running his hand across her back walking over to the sofa lifting Chris up in to his arms.

Walking back in to the living room Kate flopped down on the sofa, standing on her feet were making them hurt even more despite taking her high heels off. Pulling her foot up on to her knee she began rubbing it twisting trying to stretch out the tendons

She sighed as mike walked in. "they asleep?" she asked as he sat on the other end of the sofa

"yeah, well Nicole is reading for a bit" Mike smiled holding his hand out "here how about a foot massage" he smiled

"perfect" she smiled placing her feet on his knees.

Closing her eyes her head fell back against the cushion as his hands worked up her foot and on to her calf.

"i think I may go hit the rack" she sighed pulling her foot away pulling her slippers back on. "you going to join me" she grinned turning her head slightly so the light caught where she had put the shimmer to emphasise her cheek bones.

"well," he grinned taking the hand she was holding out slowly kissing up her arm to her next "i thought you wouldn't ask" he said lifting her up

Easing the wig and wig cap off she allowed her hair to fall free Kate leaned back in to Mike as he snaked his arm around her waist slowly pulling the zip on her dress down.

The following morning Kate woke early. Seeing Mike was still snoring she slid from the sheets she made her way downstairs. Her calves were still tight from the heals the previous evening. Flicking the switch on the kettle she stood looking out of the kitchen window watching the water

"Gracie I know your there" She turned hearing footsteps on the floor and muffled giggles. She turned to see Grace picking up her Halloween bucket. "anyway, you haven't paid your mummy tax" Kate said reaching in pulling out a couple of freddo frogs, some caramello favourites and milko sticks.

"mummy" Grace wailed trying to take the freddo frogs off her "you can have the cherry ripe bars not those"

"mummy tax is mummy gets to choose not Gracie tries to off load the sweets she doesn't like" Kate smiled "but put those sweets away your are not having any before you have even had breakfast"

"okay" grace said sadly pushing her bucket back on the table as mike appeared

"hey there you are" he smiled wrapping his arms around her waist. "no black hair today" he grinned

"that was a one off" she said unhooking his hands from her waist. "anyway that wig was 100% nylon so it will be in tatters in no time." she grinned as he walked across the kitchen "

It was annoying being up this early on a Sunday. She had hoped for a lie in but everyone was practically up. Carrying 2 cups over to the sofa she sat down pulling her legs up listening to the usual doom and gloom which was the morning news. It was going to be a lazy day and after cleaning up the garden from all the Halloween stuff. Everything would thankfully pack flat and could go in the annex until next year. Unless she forgot about it all. the only thing was the kids would want all the Christmas decorations up before too long and she was debating whether or not it was too early or just put them up to give them a bit of joy.

so hope you all had a Spooktacular Halloween. this chapter did sort of fall away and i lost it a little bit. anyway let me know what you think and huge love