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The looks the women shared said they understood totally

“We all are,” Kirsty told her “Lake will be here soon, you’ll see We’ll check in later and let you knohat’s happening If anything changes, call us”

“I will” Then there was silence

Kirsty stared at the silent intercom as Caroline wrapped an arm around her shoulders

“She’s going to be okay,” Caroline said

The to Joe looked around the rest of the women He didn’t like this situation one bit Caroline and Kirsty were holding it together, but he didn’t know for how long Jena didn’t see so as not to freak Abby out, which Joe appreciated—the last thing they needed was a freaked-out heavily pregnant woman Meanwhile, the wo with the stress by trying to keep busy and feign control Magenta was less sarcastic than usual Julia was hiding in the bathrooan

He looked over to the bed where Megan was questioning their captive, as an was in her element Joe suspected that in her head she’d cast herself as Lara Croft in a big-budget action uy she’d captured But if it kept her occupied and out of trouble, he was happy to let her try And if that guy was French, Joe was a freaking Martian

Jena had found a bag of cookies froroup when Joe held up his hand for silence He was surprised when he got some Maybe they could be trained after all

“We need to barricade the door,” Joe said to Ryan “Help ainst it”

“Not yet” Kirsty’stwo bottles of olive oil “I need to deal with the stairs”

Before Joe could stop her, she was out the door pouring oil over the wooden stairs and floor Then she shut the kiddy gate at the top of the stairs for good measure

Kirsty watched herpast, Mum”

“Every little bit helps,” Margaret said as she came back in the rooirls”

The retired woot the sense he’d lost control of the group

“Aren’t you going to complain about the oil on the floor?” Kirsty asked Caroline