Wait

Sitting beside him was awkward and uncomfortable as it could be. His eyes were solely fixed on the road, except for the occasional glance at the kids and the smile that lifted his face when Max made a mess of the nursery rhymes he had going with Serena.

Madeline was as irritated as ever, cringing deeply at the 'childishness' of her brother and his best friend.

She heard her sigh with impatience. "It's cat and fiddle, not noodles." She corrected, irritably, as Max said noddles in the diddles ryhme. "And Cows can't leap." She told them. "You both are so dumb."

"Language, young lady." Pete scolded, his eyes locked on hers through the rearview mirror.

"But I didn't say anything wrong. Cows don't leap, and neither do dishes run. And if you're believing that too, then uncle Pete, you are also silly."