Lucy blinked back tears and looked around.

Where were her boys? A quick glance and she couldn't see any of them so she felt safe. She screwed up her face and shouted.

'************ ******* ********!'

'Mom?'

Her eyes snapped open to see Scott staring down at her, his eyes as wide as saucers. Damn. She was very good at keeping her cool in front of the boys, but every now and then her Air Force upbringing came out.

'Grandma would wash your mouth out for that!'

'Yes she would, so you and I are not going to say anything to her, are we, Scott?'

Scott's face broke out into the most s**t-eating grin, and he tapped his chin in thought.

'Scott.'

'Yeah, Mom?'

'You're nine.'

'Yes, Mom.'

'Nine is too young to start blackmailing people.'

'I don't know what you mean!'

'If – if - we go into town this afternoon how would you like some ice cream?'

'Weeelllll….'

'You have until I count to three to decide. One…Tw…'

'CanwegotoAndy'splease?'

Lucy laughed. It had been a while since Jeff had taken them to the frozen custard bar in the 'big town' as they semi-affectionately called Wichita, and she remembered it with fondness as Scott's unfortunate nickname came to the fore.

'Scoff' Scott had and thus he'd been named, and at the time her eldest hadn't been sure whether to be outraged at the insult or smugly happy at the implication. He'd eventually settled for happy, and while really used it always made him grin.

'I guess I can ask Grandpa to drive us into the big town.'

'Thankyouthankyouthankyou!'

'You may have to learn how to breathe while you speak first, hun. Or Grandma will want to know what's going on.'

Scott nodded, hopping from foot to foot in excitement. Virgil wandered out to find out what all the commotion was. The six-year-old had been painting in the playroom, and spatters of green and yellow and green and oh, is that more green paint? decorated his skin and clothes. Following him closely and equally covered in paint – although his was more yellow than anything else – the current baby of the family held Virgil's hand tightly. At three Lucy expected Gordon to be messy, but there was more paint than there was skin on the boy. She sighed and grinned at her boys. They grinned back. John, obviously deciding that something interesting was happening that was more exciting than his book, decided now was the time to join the rest of them. He took one look at the state of his younger brothers before swivelling direction to stand on the other side of Scott.

'Why you on the floor, Mama?'

'That's a good question, Virgil. You see that hole?'

Lucy moved her skirt and showed her legs, pointing to the small pothole that had precipitated her tumble. They all looked at the ground and then back at her.

'That's a hole, Mama.'

'That's right.'

'Isn't that the one you asked Dad to fill last weekend he was home?'

'Yes it was, Scott.'

'Aha! Dad's so busted!'

'But Mama – if we'd dig it bigger I can have a pool!'

'That's a nice idea, Gordon, but this would be the wrong place for a pool, baby.'

She tried very hard not to laugh at his pout. Three going on thirteen and already wanting to swim at every opportunity, she'd get onto Jeff's case once he got back from the two-week trip to Switzerland about building a small one for their water baby.

'Scott, hun, can you help me up, please?'

'Sure, Mom.'

Scott held out his arm and Lucy gripped his elbow, allowing him to help her stand. He steadied her for a couple of beats and she flashed him a smile of gratitude. But as Scott stood back and let go Lucy's ankle gave way, and with a gasp she fell forward only for her eldest to catch her quickly.

There was a panicked chorus of 'Mom!' and 'Mama!', but Lucy needed a moment to breathe after the shooting pain blindsided her. Scott ducked under her arm and took her weight, and John immediately mirrored him and took Lucy's other side. They slowly walked her into the kitchen and helped her to sit.

Virgil and Gordon had followed them, and Gordon clung to her skirt with frightened eyes while his brother went straight for the phone.

'Lucy?'

'Ruth!'

'Are you alright my dear? Virgil said you've hurt your ankle?'

'Yes. I fell over out the back.'

'Ok, boys, battle stations. Scott – ice in a bowl and two towels. Elevate and ice the ankle. 20 minutes of ice wrapped in a towel only, Scott, then wrap in the other towel and let it rest. John, cup of hot sweet tea – English style. Virgil – you did very well, take Gordon and go clean up and then put a movie on. Lucy, Grant and I will be there within the hour, then we'll see if you need further treatment.'

'Thank you, Mum.'

'See you soon, Lucy dear.'

Lucy watched with growing pride as her boys snapped to, running around to do the jobs assigned to them. Gordon had been reluctant to leave her, but with a kiss to his forehead and a gentle shove he'd followed Virgil out with one last glance behind.

By the time Ruth and Grant arrived they had all decamped to the living room, Lucy and Scott on the couch, her leg propped up on his lap, and the rest of the boys sat on the floor in front of them. Finding Nemo was half-way through, and Scott was just finishing up wrapping the ice towel around his Mom's ankle for its second round.

They all looked up at Grant's knock on the doorframe. Gordon jumped to his feet and rushed over and Grant caught him as he leapt up with the scream of 'GRANDPA!', swinging the boy up and holding him on his hip. They left for the kitchen with John following them while Ruth made a beeline for Lucy, watched by a fascinated Virgil.

Scott made to move out of the way, but Ruth asked him to stay as it would make examining his Mom's ankle easier. Ruth gently probed the injury, noting the swelling and redness. Carefully she tilted Lucy's foot, apologising for the hiss of pain.

'Well, I don't think you've broken anything but I think a trip to the clinic would be a good idea to be sure. I don't like how swollen it is.'

'Ok, Mum. Scott, do you want to stay with Grandpa while Grandma and I go to the clinic?'

'Sure, Mom. I'll look after everyone.'

'How about I take the boys out while you both are at the clinic?'

Scott immediately began hopping from foot to foot, biting his lip to prevent him speaking. The three adults stared at him, amusement clear on their features. Grant cleared his throat.

'Is there something you want to say, Scotty?'

'Can we go to Andy's?'

'You want to go to Wichita?'

'Yesyesyesyes.'

'You really want to go?'

'Please, Grandpa.'

'What do you say, Luce? You alright if I take the boys to Andy's?'

'That's absolutely fine, Grant. You'd be doing me a favour.'

'And if Lucy's leg is fine I'll driver her over and join you there.'

'Scott, make sure you behave for Grandpa please.'

'I will, Mom. I promise. And I'll make sure Virgil and Gordon behave themselves.'

'And I'll make sure that Scott behaves.'

John's voice made them all look to the child standing in the doorway, Gordon's hand in one and Virgil hovering on his other side.

The adults all burst out laughing at Scott's outraged spluttering.