walking forward with the passing shadows - motherland (bbc) isekai fanfic

"You got time for a coffee?" Liz asks Kevin outside of the drop-off.

"No, sorry. Couples counselling today," He answers.

"Oh, good luck with that," I say.

"Oh, no, everything's fine," Kevin adds, "It's just preventative. We're rock solid, Jill and I. Although she disagrees. It's like physio or yoga. We're just doing it to keep the marriage supple."

Julia catches up with us.

"Oi, Gonzalez. You got time for a chat?" Liz asks.

"No, no, no. I received an official bollocking for lateness yesterday," Julia mentions.

A clearly new, big ass car pulls up. "Woah, who's that?" I ask.

"Holy shit, it's Anne. Why's she got all of those kids?" Julia asks.

"She's part of the car pool now, for school drops," Kevin answers.

"Car pool? Car... Why don't we have a car pool? That would really help me!"

"I live right there! If I spit now, I'd hit my window," Liz jokes.

Kevin chimes in, "I don't drive. My wife does the driving. I'm sans licence."

"I'm the opposite. I have a driver's licence but no car. I prefer walking anyways, my house is literally 5 blocks away, but my sister's house is a bit further out so I pick them up an hour before drop-off so they have time for breakfast," I add. What's weird, though, is that even though my sister got fired from her job, she still has me take care of her children... Don't get me wrong, I love her children, but I don't get it... Maybe I shouldn't think about it too hard.

Julia decides to walk up to Anne's car to try and join the carpool, but ends up starting a rivalry with another mum for the spot.

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"Love, if you're hungry, just go over and help yourself. No one'll notice. Just kick the ball by their rug and grab a handful of crisps," Liz tells Charlie.

I'm sitting with Liz at the park, trying to explain my situation with my sister's children.

"...So yeah. I don't know if I should get a lawyer and call up child protective services or not but I'm doing all the parenting and apparently my sister and brother-in-law have started getting really physical with their fighting which is really affecting Marie and Calliope. You know, I love them like they're my own but I'm really worried for their safety," I explain.

Julia walks up to us. "Hiya!"

I greeted her, "Oh hey!"

Liz adds, "Pull up a pew. Or a jacket. You can sit on my jacket."

"Oh, thanks."

Liz asks, "Bubbles?"

"Sure."

Liz gives Julia a can of beer.

"Oh. There's Anne," Julia mentions. "So what's been going on?"

I answered, "I was telling Liz about my sister's children. Long story short, I'm more or so worried about their safety. My sister and her husband have been fighting alot for the past few months and it just started getting physical. Anything going on with you, Liz?"

Liz answers,"Nothing much. Apart from my ex, Lee, having a new partner. Not girlfriend, partner."

She goes on, "Debbie-Louise, for fuck's sake. Who double-barrels two stupid names? Anyway, she's welcome to him."