In Too Deep

Chapter Twenty - Game & Set

"Paris has a game where you ride motorbikes and pick up ladies and play with cars." Louis pipes up.

Christ! Grand Theft Auto. I don't think so.

"I think that's an 'eighteen' game, Louis. It's not really appropriate for little boys.

"Paris is seven too." He argues. "His mum doesn't mind."

"I think yours might." I tell him. "And I really don't want to get into trouble with your mum."

"You really don't." Nell says from the doorway. "And I would mind Louis, as you very well know." She gives him a stern look and he drops his eyes. She's pulled on a white waffle robe, which reminds me of the robe in the hotel. Her curls are tumbling around her face. She still looks tired and I mentally curse bloody Zoe, for causing such upset last night.

Nell glances around at the boxes and games strewn around the sitting room. "Josh has spoiled you. I hope you said 'thank you.'"

"Course we did." Says Louis. "Isn't it awesome? I've wanted an X-box for ages."

"I know. You've mentioned it a few times." Nell grins. "I don't know why you need an X-box, a Wii and a play station."

Louis looks at me and I wink at him conspiratorially. "They're all very different, Nell." She humphs and shakes her head.

"I'm sorry about your swimming lesson, boys. I should have set an alarm."

Jack shrugs and Louis grins. "We don't mind. Jack didn't want to go anyway. This X-box is awesome. Josh got us six games."

"Six." She arches her brows at me and I get a level look. She says nothing. I have a feeling; I'm going to get a lecture about over indulgence, when we're next alone.

"I'm going to toast some crumpets for breakfast. Are you hungry? Do you all want some?"

I shake my head. "I'm going to shoot off, Nell. I'll leave you to spend your day with the boys." I can see Jack's obvious relief and when I glance away from him, I see Nell is watching him too. Her brow knits together in a frown. She opens her mouth to say something, but I cut her off, catching her eye with a tiny shake of my head.

"I'm just going upstairs to pack my stuff." I say a bit too brightly.

"I'll come with you." Nell murmurs. We're silent as we climb the stairs. I can feel her tension. When we reach the bedroom, she turns to me and I can see the anguish in her eyes.

"Nell..." I try and placate her.

"Has he been rude to you, all morning?" She's bristling with indignation.

"Hey!" I clasp her by her upper arms and rub soothingly. "Don't make a big thing off this. It's still very early days."

"I'm not putting up with bad manners. I've brought him up to know better." There are tears in her eyes and my heart cracks. I don't want to be the cause of this.

"Nell, please don't get upset." I pull her into me and wrap my arms around her. She's rigid. I try and rub the tension away.

"It's not my place to tell you how to handle it." I murmur into her hair. "I do think we should give him some more time. If you're too hard on him, it might make things worse."

"We have a problem." She mutters into my chest.

"I know. Let's not totally alienate him. He's probably scared. He probably thinks I'm going to take you away; your time and focus anyway. Let's give him some more time." I can feel my T-shirt becoming damp, where she's burying her head.