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“Why would I deprive the female species of this?” he says, waving his hand up and down his body.
We all groan.
Pen shoots Leah a calculating look.
“Aunty Pen.” I watch as Lottie catapults her way across the room and into Pen’s arms.
“Hey, munchkin. Have you grown again?” She asks, sweeping my niece into an enormous bear hug. “If you keep growing at this rate, you’ll be as tall as me soon.”
“You always say that,” Lottie says, rolling her eyes. “We had to go clothes shopping. My trousers were ankle biters.” There’s pride in Lottie’s voice.
“Well, you have to grow sometime,” she adds, giving her a squeeze. “How’s your programming assignment going?” Pen sits on the arm of the nearest chair to make herself Lottie’s height.
Lottie scrunches up her nose.
“That well, huh? Well, you know where to find me if you need me,” Pen says, running her hand over Lottie’s hair.
“Thanks Aunty Pen. Dad’s been busy,” Lottie adds, and my heart goes out to my niece. Her mother is too busy doing lunch and whatever else she does to fill her time. My brother hides in his office.
“You have my number,” Pen says. “Use it, please.”
Lottie nods, but there’s a sadness in her eyes. I set a mental note to ask her why she hasn’t called Pen or me.
Before I can think, Lottie moves towards Leah and wraps her arms around her waist.
“I see you met Leah. Did you hear? She and Uncle Gabe are having a baby.”
A hush falls around us as everyone turns to stare. Leah’s eyes drop to the ground, and I step forward, wrapping my arm around her and my niece.
“I know, it’s wonderful news, isn’t it? I’m hoping I get to have lots of cuddles,” Pen says extra loudly. Then looks around her. “Nothing to see here, people.”
The nosy crowd turns their nose up at her, making her smirk even more.
“Oh, Pen, I’m sorry,” Leah says, and I squeeze her gently.
“It’s fine. Ignore them,” I whisper against her ear.
“Did I say something wrong?” Lottie says, her eyes flicking between us.
Pen pats Lottie’s cheek. “No, munchkin. It’s fantastic you’re so eager.”
She turns and smiles at Leah.
“I’m the pariah, but Mrs F loves me,” she says.
“That I do. Are you creating carnage, Penelope?” my mother says, coming up and pulling Pen down for a hug.
“As always,” she says, hugging my mother back. “Happy Birthday, Franny,” she adds, her voice wavering.
“It’s lovely to see you, my darling. It is a shame you couldn’t make last night,” Mum adds, patting her cheek.
Pen smiles at her. “I know, but I had to work.”
“You work too hard.” The affection in my mum’s voice is hard to miss.
“It’s only hard if you hate your job,” Pen replies.
Everyone knows she loves what she does.
