Sun Mote Copse But if I can make it to the street

When Nellie said the "hypothetical" out loud about Niamh and Phox, he shot the older Blackthorn a slightly worried, helpless look. Had they been found out? Was that okay? Should Phox confirm or deny their relationship (whatever it was)? He didn't know, and he clicked his mouth shut to let Niamh do the talking. Besides, they were just a few more paces away from the stream, and Phox shoved his face into it as soon as they got there, gulping up the water so he wouldn't say anything stupid.

Phox only half-listened to Niamh lecturing Nellie, preferring instead to think about how he was going to tell his kids about his courtship with Niamh. They were still in the early stages, but considering they would likely have children in the coming months, Phox had already committed himself to Niamh, whether she knew that or not. He had never been one to try and wrestle more than one romantic/sexual relationship at once, and he wasn't about to start now.

Once he'd taken his fill of water, he licked his lips and glanced at both of them, his gaze unintentionally lingering on Niamh. I'm gonna go check on the kids, he said. He couldn't remember if Nellie could read ptero or not, though it crossed his mind that it might be useful if she couldn't. Not wanting to risk it, he simply gave Niamh another lingering look, then set off. He'd be back, hopefully before Nellie was.