Page 52 of Summer Holiday Lifeline

Shelly pointed a coloured pencil at the screen. “We’re watching how-to-draw videos.”

“I see. And is that helping?”

“Mr. Steven says my pictures could use some editing.”

Jet reached past her to pause the video, though he kept most of his attention on his own sketch book.

“Does he now?” Myles glanced at Jet, who shrugged.

“Yes. He says that if I take out all the extreatious lines⁠—”

“Extraneous?”

“Yes. That. If I take all them out, my pictures will still be very pretty, and not so dark.”

Once he’d tugged the shirt on, Myles turned a page she had set aside around to see it better. There was something he thought might be an animal, and a long, convoluted line leading to another blob that could possibly be a person.

“That’s Rod and Scratch.”

Myles raised his eyebrows, impressed with himself for having figured out the basic shapes without prompting. “So I see.” He showed the picture to Jet, who almost didn’t look bored when he saw it.

“You two look pretty dug-in here.”

“We are,” Shelly said airily.

“And what about breakfast?” He tugged the ends of his shirt straight, then started to tuck it in.

“On its way,” Jet said without looking up.

“Sorry?” Pausing his dressing, he frowned at Jet, who still hadn’t turned his attention from what he was doing.

“We are having breakfast in bed.” Shelly sounded pleased with this turn of events.

“You guys, Lucky and Kreed are very busy.”

“Nah, dude, I got this.”

“Do you?”

“I’m a professional.” Now Jet finally did look at him. “I went down and asked while you were in the shower. Kreed’ll just make two more of whatever he’s making for the other guests.” He waved his phone at Myles. “Lucky’s gonna shoot me a text when it’s ready and I’ll go get it. No issues.”

“Okay, then.” Myles finished tucking his shirt into his jeans, then smoothed the front straight again and picked up his towel. “And MJ?”

“Took him out to crap while I was down there.”

“You used the back stairs?”

“I used the back stairs.” He rolled his eyes. “And I scooped. Not my first doggie rodeo, you know.”

“No, I know.” Hurriedly, he went back into the bathroom to hang his towel and straighten the dripping curtain and bottles of shampoo and soap in their racks.

“What’re you doing?” Jet called to him.

“It’s called cleaning up after myself. Might want to try it some time.”

“Ha-ha. I’ll have you know I cleaned my space last night.”

“Right,” Myles muttered as he wiped the sink down.