Chapter 53

“Morning,” Tav said finally, dislodging himself and sliding a hand into Luca’s curls to hook him in and kiss him sharply. He pulled back and wrinkled his nose a moment later, and Luca smirked. “Have you nicked my toothbrush?”

“Yep.”

“Gross.”

“What? Figured if you have any diseases, s’too late for me anyway.”

Tav snorted and shoved him before taking the juice glasses to the table. Hands emerged from the hair-pyjama monster and clutched one of them protectively into the bundle. “Morning, Becky,” Luca said experimentally, and the whatever grunted in reply. Meh. Close enough.

Breakfast—a filthy fry-up, as was New Year tradition in the Pretty household—was a busy affair. A tearstained Amy was returned from the naughty step by her dad, and they had to fetch an extra couple of chairs from the living room by virtue of the fact that Tav’s family was just as scatty as Luca’s and rarely all managed to eat together, never mind with Luca there, too.