Another Lucky Number by Nina Kaye

Author:Nina Kaye [Kaye, Nina]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2025-07-10T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-Three

‘Come here, you wee monkeys!’

I’m barefoot, tearing across the grass in hot pursuit of my miniature assailants, when I hear someone shout my name. Fuelled by the unwillingness to allow the little monkeys to escape, I ignore whoever is calling me. That is, until I hear my name a second time and come to my senses. Halting suddenly, I slowly turn in the direction of the voice and my heart sinks.

‘James, hi.’

I flush heavily from being caught in this compromising position, while probably once again modelling the look of the undead. I swipe at my under eyes and hope for the best.

‘What’s going on?’ He regards me with a quizzical expression. ‘You looked like you were ready to throttle those kids.’

‘No… I wasn’t… I was… Oh, what the hell.’ I let out a peep of frustration. ‘Not sure you can judge me any more than you already are. They’re wee buggers! Soaked me three times with their water pistols – and the third time was definitely deliberate. They took aim and fired like they were a professional hit squad.’

‘I see. That’s not acceptable. But… what exactly were you planning to do to them if you caught them?’

‘I… erm… don’t know. Is it not OK to grab them by the scruff of their necks and march them to their parents anymore?’ I decide that humour is the only way out of this one.

‘Pretty sure that would land you in a cell for the night.’ James’s mouth twitches with amusement.

‘Right, well maybe I’ll leave them be then.’

‘Probably for the best. Want to meet my mates?’

He jerks a thumb towards two blokes standing about twenty feet away, who seem to be watching our exchange with interest. I want to die on the spot. It’s bad enough that James witnessed me in this compromising situation, never mind them too – and especially after their first impression of me wasn’t the best. James is at least familiar with my unfortunate habit of embarrassing myself in public.

‘Shit. I can’t believe they saw that.’ I self-consciously swipe at my under eyes again.

‘They won’t judge you. Not too much anyway,’ he adds with a chuckle.

‘That really doesn’t help. Let me go clean myself up and I’ll see you by the pool.’

‘Good plan. Now can I trust you not to take off after those children again the minute my back is turned?’

‘Too soon, James.’ I shoot him faux daggers – while stifling a giggle at my own expense – and stalk off towards the pool, my face burning with humiliation.

Once I’ve cleaned myself up for a second time, I make my way back across to Amber and Cat, noting with irritation that the woman who took my lounger has already vacated it. They sit up as I approach.

‘Where have you been?’ says Amber.

‘Are you OK, honey?’ Cat appears to spot my less than cheerful demeanour.

‘No. I’m having a crap afternoon.’ I plonk myself down on the empty lounger. ‘After those little brats soaked me here, some nasty woman dumped my stuff on the ground and stole my lounger.

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