Page 94 of Go Cook Yourself

“Shit,” Mum says.

Amber rounds on Mum. “Why are you swearing? This was my secret. You don’t know—”

“You’d best tell themoursecret, Liz,” Dad says with the longest sigh ever.

I stand again. “Is everyone lying to me at the moment?”

“Such a drama queen,” Jem murmurs.

I point my wobbling finger at him. My adrenaline spikes. “Do not mess with me, Jem. Garett is leaving because of you. Okay, because of me, but you didn’t help.”

“What did I do?”

“You told me I couldn’t date him because I tore apart the family when I was with Neil. Fine. It’s all my fault, but I’m still annoyed with you.”

“Well, you did,” Jem snaps back.

“But I didn’t mean to. I was young and doing stupid shit—”

“Nothing new there, then,” Jem replies, wagging his face.

Kalen helps Amber to her feet, and I’m pretty sure I can see Cookie’s paws on the table near the turkey.

“Since when are you, Mr. Perfect?” My blood boils, and my jaw hurts from clenching it Garett-style.

CLANG. CLANG.

My mum bashes a saucepan with a wooden spoon as she marches around the table. Kath takes Flora and Cookie to the side of the room, and they watch us all like we’re in a Greek tragedy.

“That’s it!” Mum shouts. “Cloud children, sit your asses down. We’re getting to the bottom of this right now.” She hands her pan and spoon to Kalen. “Sailor, you bash that if any of them start arguing again. You’ve got your orders.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Kalen replies, saluting Mum using the wooden spoon.

“Hey, you’re meant to be on my side,” Amber whines.

Kalen bashes the pan until Amber stops whining and receives a nod from Mum.

“Good lad. Never mess with your wife’s mum, especially as you’ll need me for nappy changing and babysitting duties in the future.”

“Yes, Mumma Cloud. Exactly,” Kalen replies.

“Right.” Mum stands and points at me. In that second, she displays precisely how she built a successful business, even with my grandparents arguing. I adore her. “Ruby, you first. Were you dating Garett?”

“No.” She continues to eyeball me until I speak. “We were hooking up.”

Kath raises her hand. My mum points at her. “Yes, Kath.”

“He loves her.”

“He does not!” I stand and splutter. My reward is Kalen bashing the pan near my ear until I sit down.

“That explains all those secret looks he gives her when he thinks she can’t see. I know love when I see it,” Mum replies with a wink at my dad. “And does she love him, Kath?”

I want to shout that I’m right here, but Kalen hovers over me with that damn pan. He’s eyeballing me, desperate to use it. I fold my arms and glare at him.

“The jury is out,” Kath replies. “I think she does, but she’s not ready to fully admit it to herself yet.”

I open my mouth, and Kalen bashes the pan. “Hey, I didn’t say anything.”