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Nile and Nicky were sitting in the garden, playing backgammon, when a noise from the shed followed by a scream could be heard. It startled Nile, and she accidentally knocked over the small table with the game on it.
Nicky: "There was no need to knock over the table just because you were about to lose."
Nile: "You and I disagree about that, but didn't you hear that noise? And the scream?"
Nicky: "Hmmm."
Nile: "How can you be that calm? We could be under attack or something."
Nicky laughed while Nile looked around.
Nile: "Yes, you are laughing, but seriously, we could be under attack right now."
Nicky: "With ten miles to the nearest neighbours and the only road leading to this house caved in, I think you don't have anything to be worried about."
Nile: "They could still attack us from the treelines."
Nicky: "I dare anyone cross the treelines. And you know what that means."
Nicky stood up and picked up the table.
Nile: "How can you be so calm?"
Nicky: "Because I know what happened in the shed."
Nile: "Mind clarifying?"
Nicky: "Five minutes ago, Joe went to the shed for more paint. And the paint cans are standing on the top shelf. To reach them, he stood on the stool I have asked him to throw away for the last 110 years. Give him a minute more, and you will see the result of what happens when you stand on a stool with only two working legs left."
Less than a minute later, Joe came out of the shed covered in paint from top to toe.
Joe: "Nicky, why didn't you tell me about that stool?"
Nicky: "I have more than once. I even left you a note telling you not to stand on it."
Joe: "I must have missed it. Damn it. My clothes and my curls. It will take me ages to wash it off."
Joe tried to shake some of the paint off him.
Nicky: "Oh, here I thought you were painting naked again - like you did with Gino."
Joe laughed, letting memories of his long-dead friend float over him for a moment.
Nile: "Who was Gino?"
Nicky: "One of da Vinci's art students. Joe met Gino when he spent a year in da Vinci's studio. They became good friends."
Joe: "Sadly, Gino died two months after I met him of something I don't know what was, but you can probably cure it today."
Nile: "I would love to hear more about your time in da Vinci's studio."
Joe: "I promise. Have you seen Nicky?"
Joe got his answer a second later when Nicky doused him with cold water from the water hose.
Joe: "Nicky, stop."
Joe held up his hands to protect his face.
Nicky: "I am not letting you into the house covered in paint, so stand still, and this will soon be over."
Joe tried to run away but tripped over his long legs, and soon after, he was at the mercy of Nicky with the water hose.
Joe: "Nicky, I will get you for this."
Joe shook his head to get some of the water out of his curls.
Nicky: "I am so scared."
Nicky walked away laughing, but seconds later, Joe tackled him, and they ended up rolling around on the grass, laughing, acting like small children. It gave Nile an idea.
Nile: "Oh, boys. Haven't you forgotten something?"
Nile held up the water hose with a big smile before she doused them with cold water.
Joe: "You know what, Nicky? I think it is time for us to teach Nile a lesson about what happens when she teases us."
Nicky: "You catch her while I do the rest."
Nile started walking backwards before she ran with Joe after her.
Nile: "Come on. It isn't fair. You are two against little me."
Joe: "You should have thought about that before."
Joe caught Nile and dragged her over to Nicky, who was waiting with the water hose, and Nile also ended up wet. After that was done, they lay down in the grass, laughing.
Nile: "Just so you know it. I love having you as my big brothers."
Nicky: "We also love you, Nile."
Joe: "Very much."
They lay in the grass, letting the warm summer sun dry their wet bodies and clothes until they became hungry.