“I’m sorry, have we met?” Ellis tilts her head playing the perfect role.

“Ouch, my poor heart. Don’t worry Ellis, I know before Ruin stole my thunder there were sparks between us.” He winks at her like he did once before. He wishes, I think to myself.

“Whatever helps you sleep at night.” Ellis winks back at him mockingly. I can see the tension in her shoulders softening every minute.

“Hi dude, you must be Jack?” Rook asks dropping into a squat in front of Jack, lifting his hand for a high five which Jack quickly returns.

As brief introductions come to an end and the full swing of conversation fills the room, the house bursts into life. Music starts humming through the speakers as Ellis hits play on her favourite playlist and everyone is laughing as though they’ve known her forever. The players are waiting hand and foot on her without me having to ask, and much to her annoyance, nobody stops when she asks them to.

With the four of us she shouldn’t have to do a single thing today.

I haven’t known Jack for very long but in that time this is the happiest I’ve seen him. He is stood with both his hands on his hips and his brows are drawn down as he explains the rules of “football” to Rook. I keep repeatedly calling it soccer, to which both Ellis and Jack correct me.

Even though Rook could run circles around many professional players, he is listening with rapt attention. I think this is the longest he has ever listened to anyone that wasn’t coach Mitch or Cassie. Now though, he is asking questions and asking for Jack’s advice on how to kick the ball. Beside me, Ellis is hiding a smile behind a glass of juice with stars in her eyes looking at her boy.

“I like you both happy,” I tell her.

“Seeing him like this, confident and open, it makes me happy. If his dad was around he wouldn’t be this kid.” I wish I knew more about Jack’s father, but a part of me knows that if I knew how to find him I would find myself in a prison cell.

“Ellis! Help me!” Rook hollers from the ground rolling in the grass as Jack laughs above him.

“That was a red card for sure!” Anders shouts and Edge goes to join Jack above our teammate.

“Don’t worry kid I’ll hold him down.” Edge lies on Rooks chest and Jack laughs harder, beginning to tickle him.

“Ellis! I’m a damsel, save me!” Rook is still hooting and hollering and Ellis is holding her sides from how hard she is laughing, she looks truly free and open. It’s glorious to see.

Eventually Edge rolls off Rook to help him up but Rook goes limp. “I need a kiss from a princess to save me.”