Wot you sayin'?

Throw in the Towel

"This is annoying. All these couply things we're doing aren't going well." I hugged Dianne from the back and kissed her cheek. "You're not going to hold that against me, are you?" I turned to face her and saw her fake considering face.

"I probably will."

"Awww. Don't. You're equally to blame."

"Not with that chucking balls thing."

"The ones to hit the cans with?"

"Yeah. I wanna get that sloth. Oh I wonder what to call it."

"I feel it should be something to do with shells. To remember Brighton pier with," Zoe suggested.

"Joe and I are going to live here, so I won't need reminding of it."

"Oh. Thanks for deciding that for me, Dianne. Do I get a say in any of this?"

"No," Zoe, Alfie and Dianne said altogether. This seemed vaguely familiar.

"Back to the subject of winning the sloth, how do you even know anyone will win it for you?"

"Mate," Alfie said whilst Dianne pulled a face. "You've just issued a challenge. Here's my idea. How about we take it in turns and we give Dianne the sloth she wants."

"That's fine and everything, but what does the winner get?"

"Winner gets all their money back. Loser has to pay for all that the winner has paid." That sounds evil!

"Deal!" This is going to be one expensive sloth toy.

"I don't think this is our game, guys."

"No, it's not."

After a good few goes I said, "Come on, Alfie!"

"Wait," Zoe said. "Why are you cheering him on? Don't you want to win?" I massaged Dianne's scalp affectionately and she moaned so quietly only I could hear her.

"Not bothered." Dianne turned to face me, sending me heart eyes. Love you, she mouthed. It had got to the stage where I was getting sick of this game and the vendor could see that. "I throw in the towel."

"Hey, thanks! World's best boyfriend right here!"

I kissed her head. "I know. I'm great, aren't I?"

"Yes! Go on, Alfie!" I heard Zoe cheer. He'd got rid of most of the cans and just had the bottom two to go.

"Drum roll, please."

"Can you imagine if I don't get these two." Didn't matter, because he did.

"Finally! The sloth, please," I interjected.

"I reckon Alfie should say it."

"I reckon you just want it." I saw the look on her face. "Go on Alfie. Do the honours."

"Joe, you're whipped." He laughed at me then requested the sloth for Dianne, suddenly looking sheepish. Dianne took it and carried it like a baby.

"Oh my God, we need a name!"