“You don’t need to help us unpack as well as help move our things,” Sly says to everyone.
“Sure we do. Many hands make light work,” Titus adds, opening his water bottle.
I swallow my bite of food. “Thanks. We’ll happily accept any and all help.”
“This lockup is now empty, and the boxes are in the back of my car,” Titus looks at me and grins, “and yes, I used magic.”
I chuckle and shake my head at him.
“Thanks for that. We’ll drop the keys back to the manager, then leave,” Sly says.
As we’ve all finished our goodies, we get up. I use magic to get rid of any signs of the explosion and to close the lockup doors, then let Sly go and deal with the manager.
CHAPTER 37
“Ireally am sorry,” Sly says, as we drive back to Cadenbury.
I lay my hand on his thigh. “I know, and I do understand why you didn’t tell me. I probably wouldn’t have said anything either unless they messaged something worth sharing.”
“It’s only recently that Father has emailed me, talking about their cause. The other messages were just cursing my name and the fact that I turned my back on the family. Just so you know, I have three brothers, my parents and a splattering of cousins.”
I give a small laugh. “In all our years together, that’s the first time you’ve told me that about your family.”
Sly sighs. “My family are psychos. You’ve heard about the Bannisters, which describes mine as well. Before your dad went nuts, you said you had a good upbringing. You went on picnics with your mum and sometimes with your dad, and did all the normal family things. A family get-together in my house meant who could punch the hardest, or throw out the most hurtful spell they could find, and as long as it didn’t result in a death, no one cared. I left as soon as I could and never looked back.”
“I know things back when you were younger sucked,” I say.
Sly gives me a confused look. “How?”
“Sometimes you talk in your sleep. I picked up bits and pieces from that.”
“You never said anything.”
“I know. I didn’t want to bring it up in case I upset you.”
Sly laughs. “What are we like?”
“Loving partners who want to protect each other.”
“Sounds about right. I wonder what got destroyed.”
“Over three-quarters of what was left in that lockup. Thank goodness the lockup wasn’t destroyed.”
“Yeah, that was helpful. On the plus side, it’s less to unpack.”
I snort out a laugh. “That’s true. While you’re driving, I’ll do a food shop order. Hopefully, there will be a delivery spot for today.” I pull my phone out of my pocket.
“Have you memorised the address already?” he asks, surprised.
I snort. “No, but I still have all the details on my phone.”
“That’s why I love you.”
I laugh as I find the closest supermarket and set up an account. I log into the order system. “They still have delivery slots for today,” I announce. “They have one for four this afternoon. So, I’ve booked it. Now to order food.”
We chat about the foods we want and what the boys like, and order everything needed. So much food, but we need everything. We might need to shop for things we’ve forgotten, but we made a good start.
“Now I feel sorry for the poor delivery chap. I bet our order takes over his whole van,” I say.
