Mr. Masters (Mr. 1)

I put my hand up in the air, pretending to swing a rope, and then throw a lasso over them. Julian pinches the bridge of his nose, exasperated.

It only makes me laugh more. I’m so embarrassing to him.

The bull picks up speed and I hang on with my thighs. The kids scream and Julian puts his hands on the top of his head, fear-stricken. The bull begins to buck but I still hold on.

The kids are chanting and I’m laughing out loud.

Julian’s eyes are like saucers as I go around and around, up and down. I can hear Sammy squealing with laughter. Suddenly, the bull becomes really violent and I begin to get thrown around.

“Oh my God,” I hear Julian cry. “Stop it, this minute,” he yells at the controller.

“No, don’t!” I cry with laughter.

All at once it lurches forward and I’m thrown from the bull, down onto the cushions. I land hard on my back, staring up at the sky.

Ouch… that hurt.

Julian rushes over me. “Are… are you injured?” he stammers as he looks down, filled with worry.

I laugh up at him. “That was so much fun.” He grabs my hand and pulls me up, helping me dust the straw from my body. “I’m going to do it again,” I tease.

“Over my dead body,” he growls, grabbing my hand and dragging me back to the table. The kids fall in behind us, hysterical with laughter.

“Children, control your lunatic nanny.” He guzzles his Corona straight from the bottle. “She’s completely out of control.”

I laugh and pick up my beer, holding his gaze as I sip it slowly.

“Behave yourself,” he mouths.

I throw him a cheeky wink. “Now it’s your turn to dice with death, Mr. Masters,” I tease.

“How so?”

With perfect timing, the waitress places his meal down in front of him. There’s a huge pile of meat stew filled with green and red chillies on his plate, and a dollop of sour cream on the top. It’s so hot, steam is rising from it.

The four of us all stare down at it in silence.

He frowns and looks back up at me. “Maybe the bucking bull was the safer option.”

“Don’t worry.” I grin. “I’ll take you to the mortuary.”

Julian

“Spotto!” Brielle calls.

“Huh.” I frown over at her in the passenger seat. It’s Saturday afternoon and we’re driving through the countryside. I have a surprise for the children. We went to football practice this morning, then to the park to play ball. I can confirm that Brielle Johnston is a complete and utter maniac.

She laughs and jokes constantly, never taking herself seriously for a single moment. She always knows exactly how to make fun in every situation.

No wonder my children adore her. Just being around her is addictive because she oozes with happiness.

I’ve never known anyone quite like her.

“What is Spotto?” I ask.

Her eyes widen as she watches me. “You’ve never played Spotto before?”

I shake my head and she turns in her seat to the children. “Oh my God, have either of you played it?”