A Siblings Advice

Boot sales and bonding

Tracey's POV:

Despite the fact that it is currently 6am, the car is full of chatter as Joe endlessly teases Zoe as Alfie and Dianne mutter animatedly, hunched over a phone in the back and Hector pants happily from the boot- It's not often I have my family together in one car and if i'm honest, it makes today even more special. "Mum, there's a space right there, on the left!" Pulled from my thought as Joe yells, distracted from his bickering by the empty space, I park up at the local car-boot, eager to see what I can find today. Undoing my belt, I spin round in my seat in an attempt to catch the attention

"Right you lot! Are we all sticking together here or will we branch off and agree a meeting up time?"

"Let's keep together mum, its easier...SOME of us have shit time keeping skills." Zoe laughs, shooting a playful look at her little brother, dodging the badly timed slap. Chuckling at their childish ways, I can't help but share in their laughter. "Right, perfect, I have a list of things i'm specifically looking for, so we are going to have to go up and down each row methodically- I don't want to miss anything! Ready team?" I shout, making my way out of the car and towards the first row of stalls.

"Sir, yes Sir!" Joe salutes, "Seasoned car-booter like yourself has this whole routine to a 'T'" Winking at Dianne as he reaches for her hand, pulling her into his side and pressing a kiss to her head- setting the mood for today already. "Don't be so cheeky Joseph Sugg," doing my best to raise an eyebrow and give him a stern look, " You might be a fully grown adult but I won't hesitate to send you to bed early, my son!"

The redhead beside him dissolved into a fit of giggles and Joe's face visibly soften as he watched his girlfriends reaction to our little joke and once again, the young couple made my heart melt. "Oh yeah, you think my mother is funny, Miss Buswell?" he teases, leaning over and tickling her sides gently, "Well, if I get sent to bed early, it'll be YOUR loss Buswell." He pointed out, continuing his attack until she was struggling to breathe, at which stage he pulled her into a bear hug. Unbeknownst to Dianne, Joe's statement had a much deeper meaning and I can see his heart rate increase and a soft blush brush over his cheeks. The upcoming events of this evening must suddenly have hit home with him- My god...after tonight, Joe won't be my little boy anymore...

Snapping back to reality, Dianne had pulled away and started walking forwards, "What do you mean? I'll just come to bed with you anyway...unless I decide your mum is better company." She giggles, dropping his hand and making her way to my side, allowing me to wrap a motherly arm around her. Gulping loudly and scratching his neck, Joe shakes himself, "Well I thought you wanted to cuddle around the fire pit tonight? Didn't we plan a family quiz night and face-time with your family? We can't do that if i'm in bed silly!" pouting like a child, he slumps towards Zoe and Alife, who are seemingly lost in their own conversation and totally oblivious to everything going on.

"Oh shit yeah..."she mutter, turning to me and dramatically begging, "Please Trace, don't send him to bed early, please! I need the technology genius, please!" Her performance earns a few chuckles from the older ladies beside us who are clearly amused by our family dynamic. "Only if he's on his best behaviour Di, I'll leave you to control him then" I nudge, winking over at my only son before I am dragged away by his energetic girl, "Trace! Look how beautiful this is! It reminds me of my mum and her garden back home...she'd love it!" Noticing Joe's beeline for Zoe and Alfie, I can only assume he is going to fill them in on the plans for tonight while Dianne is distracted.

Dianne cheerfully handed over the money, placing the precious vase in my fabric trolly. She smiled to herself, chuffed with the purchase she had just made, knowing it would please her mother to a great deal, whenever she next got to see her. Only then did she notice the absence of the other three members of their party, who last time shed been aware, she could hear them faintly chatting and searching through the items on the stall behind her. "They are up to something, aren't they? It's a bit weird that they are doing a group hug here, of all places...what's he planning Trace?" Holding my breath for a second, brain working overdrive to distract or at least come up with a feasible excuse, I stumble over a rock in the grass- "Jeez Tracey, are you okay? That's a bit dangerous, let's move it." She gasps, holding me steady and kicked the stone out of the way, her thoughts of scheming long gone.