If I Can't Have you

(12) The Break Up

"Papa!" Isla says, running and hugging her Dad.

She'd spent the morning down at the yard with Jemima and Logan, who were helping Charlie re-board a stable for the horse after the storm. Monaghan Boy had freaked out and kicked a hole through the wood, and had slanted the the sides.

"Smiley!" Levin greets, crouching down and picking his daughter up.

"Guess what."

"What?"

"That's not guessing, papa." Isla scolds, bopping his nose.

"Hmm... you tried jumping in the canal to see how long you could hold your breath and beat your high score?" Levin asks.

"No, funsponge says he won't let me ride the horse if I do that. Apparently it's 'dangerous' whatever that means?" Isla replies, sticking her tongue out at Tommy, who was standing nearby with Arthur, Max and John.

"Charlie let me use the blackboard to draw on, want to see?" Isla asks, grinning at them all, "please? It's my best one yet."

"I'd love to," Levin nods, putting her on the floor.

"Course I'll see your painting, smiles." Max tells his sister, ruffling up her hair.

"What about you three? Johnny? Mister Funsponge? Mister moustache?" Isla asks hopefully.

"Do we have time?" John questions.

"Yes," Isla interjects.

"If Boss Baby says we got time, then I guess we've got time." Arthur chuckles, making Isla squeal as she grabs Max and Levins hands, pulling them towards the exit.

She didn't stop excitedly bouncing up and down as they walk down to the cut.

People would walk past smiling at the little ray of sunshine, who was animatedly talking about her drawing.

Their smiles would falter slightly when they noticed the three eldest Shelby brothers walking behind her with their infamous caps on.

John and Arthur were shoving each other as they walked, trying their best to trip the other up, whilst Tommy lights a cigarette, placing it between his lips, a hidden smile on his face, barely noticeable as he watches Isla making Max and Levin swing her as they walk.

They took the shortest route, Isla barely able to contain her excitement as they got closer and closer to the junkyard.

"We have arrived!" Isla announces, dropping her dad and brothers hand, rushing towards the blackboard, gesturing for the men to hurry after her.

"Why are we taking orders from an eight year old?" Tommy asks.

"Because I'm in charge, funsponge." Isla replies, and he nods, "got it, your highness."

"Look at it, isn't it just the best thing you've ever seen." Isla coos, sighing dreamily as she stared at her drawing.

"It's a dragon." Arthur says.

"It's a Wyvern - it only has four limbs." Isla corrects, "two legs, two wings. A dragon has four wings, two legs."

"My bad, it's a very striking Wyvern." Arthur says.

"Apology accepted," Isla says.

"How long did this take?" John asks, extremely impressed with her sketch, he could barely doodle a cuboid.

"A couple of hours. Once they finished the stables, Jem and Logan got in an argument. So I got some extra time."

"Argument? What about?" Max inquires.