Janey sat in the middle of the lounge, leant back and relaxed. It was getting late and she was tired but she was having a great time; Brad had bathed Nicky after they had eaten and put him to bed when he had fallen asleep.
Brad was sitting in the recliner chair with 'Tanaya on his lap while Matty, Ren and Brent were sitting on chairs around a small table playing cards.
Janey had declined playing as she was enjoying being able to have a couple of glasses of wine since Brad wasn't drinking and had declared he would be looking after Nicky.
Remembering her drink Janey lifted the glass to her lips and took several small sips of wine; it flowed down her throat smoothly leaving a trail of warmth in its wake. She glanced at the three playing cards as Ren gave a soft yell and put his cards on the table; the other two threw their cards down with good-natured complaints that he had to have cheated to win.
Brad laughed throatily and shifted 'Tanaya slightly on his lap.
"How about we watch that movie now?" Brad asked rubbing his hand up and down 'Tanaya's thigh as she sat across his lap.
"I'll put it on," Matty volunteered.
"What! Ready to quit playing already?" Ren teased.
"I think you've won all his lunch money for the week," 'Tanaya laughed even though she knew the three hadn't been playing for money.
"Actually I've won the right to sit up and fight Blondie here for the biggest piece of lounge!" Ren laughed as he leapt to his feet and sat on the lounge crowding Janey and trying to tickle her playfully.
"You'll spill my drink!" Janey squealed as she held the glass well away from herself.
Ren laughed and caught hold of her hand and gently manoeuvred her hand to bring the glass to his own lips so he could finish what little wine was left.
Janey watched as Ren carefully placed his lips in the exact spot she had sipped from; her eyes moved down to his throat and she saw his adam's apple bob as he drank the remaining wine.
"Hey!" Janey protested.
"It was getting warm anyway. Just how long have you been nursing that drink?" Ren asked before running his tongue over his top lip and removing a few stray drops of wine from his moustache.
"I'm not much of a drinker," Janey said thinking he was scolding her for not being an enthusiastic drinker of the alcohol she had chosen.
"But you enjoyed what you did drink?" Ren asked softly as he saw the unease in her eyes.
"Yes," Janey admitted after a few moments pause.
"Do you want more to drink? Or maybe a soda or a hot drink?" Ren asked as he settled himself comfortably and stretched one arm out on the back of the lounge behind her.
Janey looked down to where he still had held her hand around the empty glass and glanced up into his face slightly dazed.
Ren grinned down into Janey's eyes. He could see that the wine was having a slight affect on her, befuddling her senses and making her even sleepier.
"I'm right thanks," Janey finally managed and looked away from his intent gaze.
"Okay, just checking if you wanted another drink," Ren said getting to his feet as he took the glass from her unresisting fingers. He glanced around at the others inquiringly.
"I've had enough," Matty said.
"Me too," Brent acknowledged.
"I'll have a coffee if you're boiling the kettle," 'Tanaya said and turned questioning eyes on Brad.
"Yeah a coffee here as well," Brad said with a smile at 'Tanaya.
Janey flicked a quick glance Ren's way as he headed for the kitchen.
Brent got up to sit on the lounge on the opposite side of Janey to where Ren had sat; he glanced at Janey when she moved as he sat down.
"Okay with you if I sit here?" Brent asked.
"Yeah sure," Janey said with a faint smile. She was comfortable around all those in the room and didn't mind any of them sitting near her.
Ren returned shortly and paused as he looked at Brent where he sat on the lounge; he was pleased to see that Janey was quite comfortable and showed no signs of unease.
"Kettle's on. I'm pulling the bed out of the lounge now so I can be comfortable while I watch the movie," Ren declared as he moved to stand in front of the lounge.
Brent got to his feet and turned around to face the lounge so he could give Ren a hand with unfolding the lounge; he looked at Janey where she sat uncertainly and raised an eyebrow.
"You'll have to move out of the way so we can open out the lounge," Ren said gently.
Janey got to her feet and moved out of the way and watched uncertainly as the two men lifted the lounge seat to pull a bed frame from the inside of the lounge. Quickly they placed the mattress from behind the lounge on the frame.
Ren grabbed a sheet and quickly shook it out over the mattress and then stepped back.
Janey watched as Brent sat up against the back of the lounge and stretched his legs out in front, she darted a quick look at Ren but he was headed back into the kitchen where she could hear the kettle whistling its alarm.
"Make yourself comfortable. You're okay to share the lounge," Brent said with a nod.
Janey swallowed nervously and silently reminded herself that she was safe and amongst friends. The others seemed unaware of her inner battle as she forced down her fears, hesitantly sat on the edge of the fold out bed and focused her attention on the tv screen. She almost sighed aloud with relief when Ren returned to the lounge room carrying three steaming mugs.