The Con Artist's Takeover

“Have you seen Poet?” Abby asked as she pushed past him.

“I saw her lying on her bed,” he said.

Nate came in from outside, sweating from a run.

“She was supposed to do her housework,” Abby said.

“Mum, she’s trying to break her record,” Nate said.

“What record?” Abby asked and looked at them both.

Logan’s heart skipped a beat.

“What record, boys?” Abby asked again, slower and louder this time.

Nate cringed.

Uh-oh.

“Popping bubbles. You know, on a bubble wrap popping app,” Nate said.

“What! Whose pointless idea was that?” Abby asked.

Logan smirked as Nate’s mouth dropped open. “I am currently the record holder for most pops. It’s not pointless. It takes skill.”

Logan snorted. Was Nate for real? Abby was not going to buy that.

“Well, it takes perseverance, a fine quality for anyone to develop. Plus it’s on the tablet, so it’s environmentally friendly. No wasted bubble wrap going out to sea,” Nate said.

Abby groaned and shook her head. “Why did I ever let you guys have a tablet? So much for educational.” She stomped out of the kitchen.

Logan looked at Nate and winked.

“This ought to be good,” Nate said, grinning.

“Let’s go see.” Logan followed Abby upstairs. She was standing outside Poet’s bedroom door, peering in. She turned to them as they came up to her. “How long has she been lying there?”

Nate checked his phone. “About two hours.”

Abby sighed, then tiptoed into the room, sat on the edge of the bed and started rubbing Poet’s lower back and bottom.

“Mum!” Poet turned around and sat up. “What are you doing?”

“Massaging your behind. Like they do to old people in hospital who can’t move. If you lie on one side for too long, you need help to keep your circulation going.”

“That’s weird!” Poet jumped up and stomped out the room. The tablet dropped onto the floor.

Abby picked up the tablet. “I don’t think she needs this any more.” She headed off to her bedroom and came out empty-handed a minute later, before shutting the door behind her, and going downstairs after Poet.