Ok, so I may have told a slight lie. This isn't quite THE chapter. THE chapter turned out to be colossal so I did a Tarantino and cut it down into two parts. Part two will follow tomorrow if not Sunday but for one person this is very much the begining of the end. Enjoy and please review. It would make my day. :)
"If I have to eat one more turkey sandwich, I swear I'm going to kill myself."
Pete laughed as he looked up from the book he flicking through, not so much reading it as he was using it as a plate for the numerous crumbs coming from the sandwich he was munching.
"Seriously, babe how can you eat that at…" Allie looked up at the clock on the wall. "10am?"
"Back before I met you my mum used to give me about a months worth of the shit and send me back to my flat on Boxing Day," he told her, wiping his hands on his jeans as he came to stand behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist as he stared into the fridge with her. "Turkey sandwiches were the only fuckin' thing that kept me alive through January when I was at Uni,"
"That's nasty," Allie wrinkled her nose and leant back into his chest.
"I dunno," Pete smirked as he spun her around and pressed her against the now closed door. "It made me into the big strapping man I am today,"
"Oh you are so…" Allie laughed and shook her head.
"Charming?" Pete finished for her. "Fit? Gentlemanly?"
"Self-righteous…arrogant…" she carried on, squealing when he moved in and pinned her hands up above her head.
"Now that…" he met her eyes and smirked mischievously. "Was just plain rude,"
Allie giggled against his mouth as he kissed her, deepening it instantly and letting his hands drag down her body until they were resting on her hips, enjoying the small patch of skin that was bared by her t-shirt.
"Christ almighty!" A voice forced them to pull apart. "Can't I walk into any fuckin' room in this house without findin' the two of you dry humping in it?"
Despite the newly lightened and shortened hair on her head and the few pounds she had gained in recent years, nothing much had changed about Natalie Dunham.
Least of all her tact and timing.
"You ever 'eard of knocking?" Pete frowned at her as she bent down to get some cereal out of one of the cupboards.
"You ever 'eard of gettin' a room?" his cousin shot back as she added milk to her mountain of coco pops. "It ain't like this place don't ave enough of 'em,"
She shot a chocolaty smile at Allie and the blonde couldn't help but laugh; with everything that had gone on all those years ago, Allie had been pretty reluctant to let the girl stay but to say she had changed would be an understatement.
Though her cynical nature and general lack of tact remained as present as ever, there was a calmness about her with had been lacking before. A gentleness in her light green eyes which persuaded Allie to trust her fully, to the point where on Boxing Day Natalie had taken Poppy out to the park to make snow men.
It was freeing to have someone under your roof who you didn't feel the need to sic sniffer dogs on every time they walked into a room.
"My brother's not doing your head in too much, is he?" Allie winced.
"Nah," Natalie smirked. "Posh boys are easy to deal with,"
"Hey, Amy Winehouse!" Harry Harding smirked as he strolled into the kitchen and whipped the spoon out of her hands, munching on the cereal happily. "I get that they tried to make you go to rehab and everything but we've got a game of Tekken to finish,"
"Twat," Natalie laughed, smacking his chest. "You should be thanking me you know…I just interrupted the potential creation of a third Dunham demon child,"
"Ugh," Harry looked at the pair in disgust. "Do you have to shag in the kitchen? I mean come on, its health and safety,"
"Yeah," Lara nodded as she padded into the room wearing one of Harry's old Oxford hoodies. "You don't want to know the damage a ladle can do,"
"You'd be surprised what a ladle can be used for," Allie joked, winking at her. "Picture that next time you're making scrambled eggs,"
Pete burst out laughing along with Lara whilst Natalie looked appalled and Harry covered his ears.
"Rain drops on roses and whiskers on kittens…" the tall blonde began to sing as he closed his eyes tightly and willed the image away.
"Come on, you big tart," Lara pulled on his sleeve. "Me and Matt are ready to tag team your arses so hurry up and get back in here,"
"Alright," Natalie gulped down the rest of her cereal and unceremoniously wiped her mouth with the sleeve of her jumper. "Christ, you rich people aren't 'alf fuckin' bossy, are ya?" she shook her head at Allie before following Lara out of the room.
"As mouthy as the little bugger is," Pete grinned as he gazed down at his wife. "Nat didn't exactly make a bad point about the room thing, did she?"
"Uh-huh," Allie tugged on the material of his sweater, slapping his hands away from her body as they began to travel to more intimate places. "Except Alex has only just settled down and Poppy is playing innocently down the hall…I don't think either of them deserve the mental torment of listening to us go at it," she rolled her eyes. "I'm still waiting for Matt to bill us for the therapy he must be getting after having lived with us for those few months,"
Pete laughed and shook his head, kissing her lightly before releasing her and playfully smacking her arse as she sauntered over to the sink to wash her hands.
"So if we can't do that," Pete pouted as he hopped onto the counter next to her and swung his legs like a child. "There must be something fun to do around 'ere."
"And as if by magic, here I am,"
Both Allie and Pete looked up at Benjamin as he leant against the doorframe, his face reddened from the bitter cold outside as he folded his iPod headphones away and smirked at them.
"Alright my lover?" he winked at Pete.
"Did you walk 'ere?" The blonde looked his mate up and down, frowning at the rather impressive amount of snow on his long black coat.
"Brother, have you not seen the weather out there today?" the Scotsman shook his head. "You'd have to have a death wish to drive out there, its like walking through the arctic,"
"Its not that bad," Allie laughed.
"It is when you're walking up to this place, with all those bloody tress and shit…" Benjamin shot back at her. "You know I swear to Braveheart that I saw fuckin' Big Foot out there,"
"Here," Allie handed him a cup of tea. "Drink that and quit bitching, we're bored so the least you can do is entertain us,"
"Ah, now see you had to catch me on the one day I left the script of my one man show in my other jacket, didn't you?" Benjamin looked at her seriously. "Or if you want magic, I can use my powers to summon a man who never gets laid,"
He held up his mobile and made both Pete and Allie burst out laughing when they saw that he was calling Bovver.
"How come he didn't come round with Yanky Doodle?" Benjamin frowned as he held the phone to his ear.
"I dunno," Pete shrugged. "Probably still shaggin' Hannah or something,"
"Nice, Pete," Allie rolled her eyes.
"What?" he raised an eyebrow. "I know you birds are all into that lovey-dovey shit but you can't tell me you reckon they're sat on the sofa playing fuckin' scrabble,"
"Lovey-dovey shit?" she repeated with a laugh. "So all the times you've ever done anything romantic…"
"Was just purely to make sure I got laid," Pete nodded with a smirk. "Come on, blondie," he reached out and tugged on her hair. "You didn't honestly think I married you for anything other than your rack, did you?"
"No," Allie shook her head. "I mean, that's the same reason I married you,"
"Ooooh," Benjamin laughed and pointed at her. "Nicely done,"
"A-thank you," Allie laughed, giving a little bow.
"I do not 'ave fuckin' man tits," Pete frowned, looking down at his chest as though trying to reassure himself.
"Christ, you've gone and given him a complex now, Barbie," Benjamin grabbed Allie in a headlock and ruffled her hair.
"Morning sailor," Lara winked at Benjamin as she strode past him, leaning up to kiss his cheek quickly. "How're things with my second favourite Scotsman?"
"I find it offensive that I come second to Ewan McGregor," Benjamin told her.
"Hey, you ranked Lindsay Lohan as being a hotter red head than me," she reminded him.
"What?" the brunette grasped his chest in horror. "I would never have said such a heinous thing…you're way more shaggable than Lohan,"
"Aw," Lara cooed. "You mean it?"
Allie watched the display and laughed not for the first time considering what a good couple Benjamin and Lara would have made had Harry not gotten his act together and finally admitted that the feelings he had for the red head went way beyond platonic.
Before Allie could make a joke about it, a more than familiar sound broke through the house and interrupted them.
"Shit," Pete groaned, dropping his head onto her shoulder. "He's not even been down two hours,"
"I know," Allie sighed, pushing herself away from the counter and following the sound of her sons shrill cries.
"He's being a right little shit at the moment," Pete shook his head.
"Pete!" Allie laughed.
"What?" he frowned. "He is and he knows it, too. Alex ain't nearly as stupid as his constant dribbling would make you think, he knows that if he whinges you'll go up there and take your top off,"
"Like father, like son," Allie shot back, making Benjamin and Lara crack up.
"That was low," Pete called after her, a grin pulling on his own lips. "Shit, I'm too proud of 'er for that one to be pissed off,"
"So he's still not sleeping that well, huh?" Lara rubbed her friend's back soothingly as for the first time since staying round for the Christmas weekend, she noticed the shadows under his eyes, making his gorgeous face look more rugged than usual.
"Nah, little bugger knows he's got it good," Pete beamed proudly in the adorable manner he always did when talking about either Alex or Poppy. "I just worry about Allie, you know,"
"She'll be fine," Lara shook her head. "You know what Allie's like, tell the girl she has to organise a fashion show in an hour and she's calm as you like but as soon as one of the mini Dunham's starts crying, she's panicking like a retard,"
"Yeah, I love you, too Lara," Allie laughed as she walked into the kitchen with Alex on her shoulder, the blue eyed boy looking every inch the mini version of his father as he fidgeted against his mother and kicked excitedly when he saw Pete.
At just over two and a half months old, Alex Dunham was fast becoming more aware of his surroundings, being able to tell within a matter of seconds if either Pete or Allie were in the room.
"He alright?" Pete asked, nodding towards his son who was gurgling quietly as he nestled into Allie's shoulder.
"Fine," she smiled, patting the infants back. "Just in a bit of a pissy mood," she leant back against the counter in between Pete's legs and smiled as he stroked the baby's head. "I might take him out for a walk or something, settle him down. I just need to get him in the habit of not waking up at 4am and screaming the house down, then he wouldn't be so bloody grumpy, would you?" she lifted the baby above her head and smiled at him.
He gurgled something unintelligible back and kicked his legs, wanting to be close to the warmth of her chest again.
"Never thought I'd see the day that there was a Dunham man trying his best to get you out of bed," Lara laughed, drawing a smirk from Pete. "I'll tag along for the walk though," she continued, stretching her arms above her head. "I think Harry wanted to go into town later anyway,"
"Ugh," Benjamin winced. "You want to hit Oxford Street the week after Christmas? You do know you're not going to be able to park anywhere right?"
"I figured we may as well walk," Lara shrugged. "Burn off some of the however many million calories we've piled on,"
"You're brother's a prick," Natalie muttered to Allie as she stormed into the kitchen with Harry hot on her heels.
"Why?" Allie eyed him up suspiciously. "What'd you do?"
"Nothing!" Harry held up his hands. "I didn't do anything, I swear!"
"He pulled one of the sweets off of the Christmas tree and said, 'hey look, its crack co-candy-caine," Natalie cried.
Against their will, everyone in the kitchen chuckled though Allie managed to at least cover hers up with a cough before throwing one of Alex's old bibs at her brother's head.
"Behave, you little shit," she laughed.
"Hey, no one intervenes when she calls me Harriet, do they?" he shot back.
"This could go on for a while," Lara rolled her eyes. "I'm gonna go grab my jacket and then we'll get moving,"
"Where are you going?"
Allie winced as her daughters voice boomed around the kitchen; turning slowly, she saw the tiny blonde dressed in her little red dress, blonde curls pulled into a half pony tail as she tapped her slipper clad feet against the floor.
"We're just taking Alex for a walk," Allie told her.
"Can I come?" Poppy beamed, looking more towards Pete who was a big softie when it came to her.
"Be strong, man," Benjamin told him, thumping his fist against his chest.
"Get your shoes," Pete sighed after a moment, earning a hard look from Allie and a mutter of 'pussy' under Benjamin's breath.
"What?" he asked after his daughter had fled the room to get her shoes.
"Pete, if we take her into town, you know exactly where she'll want to go," Allie smirked, laying Alex down on her lap and tugging on his little jacket, hat and mitten set.
"What?" Pete asked, looking panicked. "Nah, fuck off…anywhere but there,"
"Well if it happens, its all on your head, pretty boy," she winked at him.
"Piss off," Pete shook his head, his blue eyes wide. "Ben, back me up, mate,"
"Uh…" The Scotsman glanced around looking for a lifeline. "Sorry brother, I uh…I've got the shits,"
He bolted out of the room leaving Harry laughing at his brother in law.
"You!" Pete pointed at him. "Don't know what you're laughing at sunshine, you can fuckin' well 'elp me,"
"No can do, Petey Pie," Harry clicked his teeth and tapped Pete's nose. "I've got business of my own to attend to,"
"None of us are going to publicly acknowledge you if you go into Agent Provocateur and buy a man thong," Allie called after him, laughing as he flipped her the finger whilst walking out into the hall to find Lara.
"You're on your own gorgeous," Allie reached up and kissed Pete on the lips, keeping her hands on Alex's tummy, rubbing it gently as he kicked at her, trying to bring her attention away from his father.
"Nah, bollocks to this," Pete shook his head. "I don't care how much she begs, I'm 'er father and if I say no, then I fuckin' well mean no,"
"Daddy look!"
Pete Dunham stood frozen to the spot, his eyes darting about the huge crowds as he fought the urge to keep his temper. If anyone were to ask him his idea of hell, The Disney Store on Oxford Street would serve as more than an honest answer right now.
"'Ere, Pete, what the fuck is this thing?"
Glancing over his shoulder, the blonde stared at Swill who was holding up what looked like a lobster shaped snow globe and waving it menacingly in the air.
"I dunno, but fuckin' drop it will ya?" Dave grabbed it from him and placed it carefully back in its glass case. "That thing will cost more than you've got so shut up and stay with me,"
"Daddy, I like this,"
Pete stared down at his daughter, her big blue eyes boring up into his as she brandished a High School Musical back pack.
"I'm starting school next week," she reminded him with a bat of her eyelashes which made her look so much like her mother, it almost scared him.
"So I heard," Pete smirked and took the back pack out of her hands. "Nice try, kiddo. But you're not gettin' it,"
Poppy pouted for a moment and then dutifully took it back to where she found it only to become enthralled by the next shiny object that caught her attention.
"Pete!" Benjamin pushed through the crowds and grabbed onto his mates shoulder, facing him with a huge grin. "Why the fuck did no one tell me about this place before?" he shook his head. "It's piled to the ceiling with MILFS!"
"Easy," Pete laughed. "You do realise most of 'em are married, right?"
"That means nothin' these days, brother," the handsome Scot shook his head. "Most of 'em are still fair game even after they've boarded the matrimony pony,"
He smirked at Pete.
"Except for the lovely Alyssa who I know only has eyes for you," he winked. "And who wouldn't with an ass like that?" he jokingly slapped Pete's behind and drew a fair few stares.
"Fuck off," Pete pushed him back and laughed loud enough to draw attention from a rather unimpressed looking member of staff. "I'm with her,"
He pointed to Poppy who grinned toothlessly and waved back at him.
"So are Steve and Shannon back from holiday yet?" Benjamin asked, picking up a Mickey Mouse mask and putting it on.
"Nah," Pete shook his head, doing the same with a Donald Duck one and walking through the crowds as though nothing was out of the ordinary. "They should be on their way though, I know it's a bit of a bastard drive back to London from Devon,"
"Most of the M25 is fucked as well," Benjamin told him, waving at a group of kids who squealed excitedly, apparently willing to believe that Mickey Mouse was now a 6 foot something Scottish guy.
"I know, I text 'im earlier, but I ain't 'eard back yet which is weird for 'im," Pete shrugged and checked his phone. Not even a delivery report.
"Daddy!" Poppy shouted again as Pete shoved his phone back into his pocket.
The pint sized blonde tore through the crowd until she was at his feet, a cuddly toy mermaid which was almost as big as her sat in her arms.
"Can I buy Ariel with the money Auntie Lara gave me?" she asked, clutching at the end of his sweater.
"How much did she give you?" Pete asked her with a smirk as he crouched down to her level and pulled off the duck mask, lovingly brushing some hair out of her flushed little face as he did so.
"This much,"
Pete blinked at the wad of cash his five year old daughter pulled out of her Dora the Explorer saddle bag and shook his head.
"Fuck," he whispered.
"Ummmm," Poppy pointed at him.
"What?" Pete frowned, taking the money from her. "I said duck,"
Poppy giggled at him and he grinned back remembering how much of a daddy's girl she could be at times.
"Right, well how about you take enough money to buy 'er." Pete pointed to the mermaid. "And I'll keep the rest so you don't lose it, we can go 'ome and put it in your piggy bank, yeah?"
"Ok!" Poppy nodded excitedly, kissing him on the cheek and grabbing his hand, pulling him over to the till where Benjamin was leant against a display talking to a rather pretty looking blonde.
"Cheeky slag," Pete chuckled, shaking his head.
"Pete!" Swill staggered through the crowd of children, glaring at one of them who took the opportunity to throw a ball at his chest. "I fuckin' hate kids,"
"Me, too," Matt grumbled from where he was stood, unknowingly being eyed up by a group of older women. "Can we go yet?"
"Uncle Matt, look what I'm getting!" Poppy held up the toy and beamed at the yank.
"Wow," Matt laughed. "She's cool, where'd you find her?"
"Over there," Poppy pointed to where Dave was looking for the rest of the boys, a look of pure relief casting over his handsome face as he spotted them. "Daddy, after this can we go home and play playstation?"
"Your kid," Swill pointed at the blonde and smiled. "Is a legend,"
Rolling his eyes, Pete bent down and scooped his daughter up, tugging her onto his shoulders and holding onto her legs, her mini Ugg boots resting either side of his head.
"Mate, we need to get outta here sharpish," he looked back and forth between Matt and Swill. "This place is startin' to do my nut,"
"Tell me about it," Bovver muttered, strolling in from the cold where he had gone for a much needed cigarette.
"How is it that Allie got out of this exactly?" Matt frowned.
"No idea mate," Pete shook his head. "Don't let the blonde hair fool you, that bird is smart as fuck,"
"Mock…"
"Yeah…"
"Ing…"
"Yeah,"
"Bird…"
"Yeah…"
"Sing…"
"Yeah…!"
"Fuck it will you two shut up!"
Both Lara and Allie turned to look at Harry who was strolling behind them, his head in his hands as he listened to them sing.
"What?" Lara raised an eyebrow. "You don't think we're good?"
"I think I'm losing the will to live," he shot back, playfully slapping her arse. "Where are we headed?"
The pair ignored him, going right back into their song which a crazed homeless man had been playing on the tube a moment ago.
"You know who I feel sorry for?" Natalie raised an eyebrow. "Is this poor sod,"
She gestured down into the pushchair where Alex was staring up at her with a grin as he dribbled content to stare at the still lit Christmas lights.
"I know," Harry smirked at her. "Between having my sister and your cousin for parents, the poor little bastard doesn't stand a chance,"
"Here we go," Lara announced, gesturing to the Gucci sign above their heads.
"Oh no," Harry laughed. "Hell no, I am not traipsing around after you like some disabled chimp while you try on dresses that cost more than our rent…just…no."
"Yeah, I'm with him," Natalie wrinkled her nose. "Ain't there a Primark or somethin' around 'ere?"
Both Lara and Allie gasped, staring at the girl in horror.
"Uh-Oh," Harry smirked. "You do realise you may as well have just walked into a church in a devil outfit, blasting Rammestein, don't you?"
"Well, I don't give a shit," she smirked. "I mean look at some of that shit in the window," she pointed to a tribal pattered silk dress. "I mean, that looks like a fuckin' toddler made it,"
"Make her stop!" Lara cried, covering her ears. "I'm melting….melting!"
"Christ almighty," Natalie laughed, rolling her eyes. "Look, I'm gonna take mini man 'ere over to Starbucks, that alright?"
All eyes turned towards Allie who simply smiled at the brunette, reaching out and rubbing her arm.
"Sure," she nodded. "Do you have enough money?"
"Uh…yeah," Natalie nodded, obviously slightly surprised herself that Allie was willing to trust her with Alex.
"Ok," the blonde bent down and kissed the infant, giggling when he kicked and tugged on her hair, blowing a small bubbled and letting out a squeak of excitement when he caught sight of her pearl earrings. "I'll see you soon, gorgeous man," she whispered with a wink. "Love you,"
Alex gurgled back as she rubbed his tummy before straightening up and tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear.
"He's got bottles in the bag and his teddy is in the pram with him," she bit her lip. "Y'know maybe I should just…"
"Nat," Lara raised her eyebrows and forcibly pulled Allie back. "You're a star, look after mini Pete for us, ok?"
"Absolutely," the brunette grinned, feeling oddly proud of herself in that moment. Maybe it had something to do with the fact that five years ago Allie wouldn't have trusted her to hold a spoon let alone look after her child.
"Come on," Lara winked at her friend. "Alex is probably sick of the sight of us anyway," she laughed. "And its hardly going to be the last time you see him, is it?"
For whatever reason, a slight chill ran down Allie's spine at those words and she shivered, holding onto Lara's hand tighter as she watched Natalie crossing the road with the buggy. Her heart jumped for a second and she had no idea why.
"Alyssa," Lara called to her in a sing song voice. "Come on, Barbie. Time is money and money is a new year's outfit,"
Allie giggled and turned to face her, knowing how excited they were that Matt and Bovver had decided to host a New Year's Eve party this year. Allie's dad had agreed to baby sit Alex and Poppy for the night so she and Pete could go out and get thoroughly pissed.
"Are you coming?" Lara looked at Harry who was shifting from foot to foot looking more than a tad nervous.
"Piss off am I," he snorted, playfully punching her arm. "I'll catch up with Pete and the lads once I'm done so I'm guessing I'll see you lot back at home,"
"Fine," Lara rolled her eyes as he leant in and brushed his lips over her cheek. "Just abandon us why don't you?"
"Don't let her spend too much money," Harry warned his sister and then frowned. "Actually, the same goes for you. I don't think Pete ever really did recover from that receipt he found on the bedroom floor,"
"The Cavalli gown?" Lara asked her knowingly.
"Worth every God damn penny," Allie shot back defensively. "Besides," she added with a smirk. "I didn't hear him complaining when he saw what was underneath it…"
"Ugh!" Harry gasped in disgust. "Fuck, I'm your brother, I seriously do not need to hear shit like that," he smacked her head. "Ever!"
"Bugger off then," Lara laughed. "We've got shopping to do anyway,"
With one last wave Harry jogged across the street and down towards Marble Arch. The girls followed him with their eyes for a moment before turning to each other and smirking.
"You're so now going into Gucci," Allie told her. "You hate Gucci,"
"I know," the red head wrinkled her nose. "I'm a shit liar, right?"
With a laugh, she took Allie's hand and led her around the corner into Agent Provocateur where even after the door had swung shut behind them, their giggles rang out on the icy midmorning air.
"What're you doing?" Lara asked her ten minutes later, spotting the petite blonde balancing on her tip toes as she looked out onto the street through the window display.
"Making sure Pete made it out of the Disney Store alive," Allie laughed. "But with the amount of people out there it's kinda like playing the hooligan equivalent of Where's Wally?"
Lara laughed and carried on browsing through the rail in front of her, lifting off a garment which apparently had enough material on it to qualify as a bra.
"Why don't you just admit that you're watching ol' scratch and sniff over there?" she raised an eyebrow. "I am the last person whose going to judge you for it,"
"What?" Allie wrinkled her nose. "I trust Nat,"
"Oh," Lara smirked. "So it's 'Nat' now, huh?"
"You're such a bitch," the blonde laughed, stepping away from the window and picking up a silk babydoll which had caught her eye earlier.
"Yeah, but so are you," Lara grinned. "That's why we're friends," she winked walking over and tapping the hanger Allie was holding. "Get it, Pete will go nuts,"
Giggling, Allie carried it with her over to the other side of the store and leant against the wall as Lara flicked through rails of rather more…adventurous underwear.
"So d'you wanna know something completely pathetic?" Lara asked her after a moment of silence.
"Hit me with it," Allie told her.
"Never tell your brother," she shook her head. "But the last week has reminded me of just how much I miss living with you and Pete,"
"What?" Allie laughed. "No way…I mean come on, you really miss the fighting and the screaming and the toys everywhere?"
"I take it you're describing Alex, right?" Lara laughed.
"The boy is a Dunham," Allie rolled her eyes. "How could we have expected anything less than anarchy from the little bugger?"
"I'm serious though," Lara told her. "I mean, look at us. I miss this,"
"Shopping for underwear we'd never want our mothers to know we own?" Allie raised an eyebrow.
"Amongst other things, yeah," Lara laughed. "I mean, don't get me wrong, I love your brother but…"
"You can't bring him in here?" Allie smiled.
"No!" Lara huffed. "And he's messy and he doesn't want to talk at 3am and he doesn't understand the importance of always having an emergency stash of Hagen Daas!"
"Welcome to the world of living with boys," Allie kissed her head. "We get laid every night but don't get to gossip about it, have to fight for a corner in the fridge that isn't filled with either beer, meat or chocolate and will never, ever be able to enjoy a long hot bath without them either wanting in or needing the toilet ever again,"
"Ugh, we so just should have been lesbians," Lara muttered, drawing a laugh from Allie as she threw the unspeakable item she had picked up back onto the counter.
"Come on," Allie smacked her arse playfully. "If you're going to go all Ellen DeGeneres on me, I'm so going to need a coffee first, what'd you say?"
They quickly paid for the few items they had picked up and stepped out into the cold again, Lara eyeing up Allie's gloves enviously as she rubbed her hands together and then grabbed one of Allie's, holding it tightly in her own.
"Shit me, it's actually freezing out here," Allie whispered, her teeth chattering together.
"You're telling me," Lara sniffed. "I can't feel my nose,"
"Say, ladies…"
They both looked up expectantly as the familiar voice broke through their giggles.
"Benji," Allie raised an eyebrow at the Scotsman. "You escaped,"
"'Course I did," he winked. "And with a phone number,"
"You picked someone up at the Disney Store?" Allie laughed. "I don't know whether to be impressed or sickened,"
"A little of both," he answered her with a smirk. "Come on, Petey Pie sent me to get the car and pick them up round the corner, but what kind of gentleman would I be if I denied two gorgeous ladies such as you a ride in my big wagon?"
"Take my word on it Scotty," Lara poked him in the chest as she rounded the car. "The day I take a ride on your wagon will be the day hell freezes over,"
"It's pretty cold today," he shrugged. "How're my chances?"
"Slim," Lara laughed.
"Shit," Benjamin shoved her into the back seat and opened the passenger side door for Allie. "Can't blame a boy for tryin' can you?"
The car soon began to warm up as they sat, waiting patiently for the rest of their little herd to appear.
"So what'd you buy?" Benjamin eyed the bags with a grin. "Agent Provocateur huh? I've got their catalogue,"
"I don't doubt that," Allie laughed. "Pages all stuck together?"
"Like glue," he winked, drawing a groan of disgust from Lara and further giggles from Allie.
"Oh, here they come," Benjamin caught sight of Pete in his wing mirror and waved to him, laughing at the 6 foot hooligan as he carried a toy mermaid on his shoulder.
"I better call Nat," Allie lifted her hips up and managed to get her phone out of her pocket, flipping it up and dialling. "Ben, what're you doing for the rest of the day?"
"I dunno sweetheart," he shook his head. "Why? Fancy adopting a Scot for the afternoon?"
"Always," she answered. "What'd you reckon, Lara?"
"Meh," the red head pretended to look him up and down. "He's got potential,"
"Mummy!"
The voice was muffled, but Allie turned and looked out of the window, grinning at Poppy who was waving manically at her from the other side of the road.
"Hey baby," she mouthed, waving back.
"Mummy, look what I got!" the blonde yelled again, bouncing excitedly on her heels.
Allie smiled again, fighting the urge to frown when Nat didn't answer the phone.
"Come on, Nat," she mumbled, still waving at her daughter.
"Mummy, look!"
"Poppy! Wait!"
Pete's voice boomed through the street and Allie instantly looked up, her heart pounding as she saw Poppy had gotten too excited and decided to run over to the car unaware that the traffic lights were still green.
The car coming towards them glinted threateningly in the midmorning sun, its silver coat casting an almost blinding reflection into Allie's eyes as it sped towards the tiny blond plodding across the road.
"Poppy!" she shouted. "Baby, stop!"
Instantly, the girl turned and looked up at the car, her face paling with fear, her bright blue eyes opening to the width of saucers as she realised what was about to happen.
Allie grabbed hold of the door handle, trying to throw herself out of the car, her screams of desperation soon muffled by the screeching of tires and the crunching of metal.
And then, it all went silent.
So there you have it. I tried hard with it and I swear the next chapter is better, this one might even be...misleading, some might say. In other words, everything may not be as it seems... Fuck, I'm turning into the Riddler. Whatever, just please leave a review and be kind, I've had a royally shit day and so need cheering up. :)