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Cilla walks into the room holding Ayla who she quickly places in the playpen before turning and checking out what is going on. Before she can ask why everyone is looking around another loud farting noise cuts loose through the room.

“Who the fuck is that?” Rides asks from where he’s sitting near the kitchen door. “Come on, own up. Who the fuck is that farting like it’s going out of fashion?”

Miri by this time is laughing so much that she has tears running down her cheeks. I’m smirking at her because, honestly, who would have thought farts would amuse her that much!

Another one rips through the room, and as Tracker walks in he stops and gives everyone a serious look. “Whoever needs to take a shit best go do it because if you shit in here, I’ll make you sit in it all day.”

That is enough for Miri, she laughs so loud that Tracker studies her before smirking himself. He walks into the kitchen thinking that it is done with, but another so loud it nearly shakes the room rips and I’m thinking whoever is doing that needs to see a medic.

Cilla giggles, which turns into laughter. She holds her belly for a moment before she announces, “It was Bono. He’s been practicing noises he can make us hear. Well, have you all hearing, and I think he achieved it with this one.”

“Asshole!” Brewer mumbles as he walks past where I’m sitting. Miri giggles again, and I turn to her, kissing the top of her head. I’m more than happy Miri has settled into the club without feeling intimidated.

An hour later I am speaking with Echo who looks depressed this morning. “What’s going on?”

Shaking his head, Echo stares at the shower block from where we are standing outside the recovery office. “Briony friend-zoned me and I don’t like it. I’ll stay close and keep working on her.”

“Why is she friend-zoning you? Doesn’t she fancy you?” I chuckle, which can I tell you is certainly not appreciated.

“She is trying to get back on her feet financially. She wants to be able to get past all the trouble she had after her parents died in the accident. She said the debts are done, but she has nothing for herself. I told her I don’t care, and I’d be happy to help her, but she didn’t like that idea at all,” Echo rubs the back of his neck obviously stressing out about the Briony issue.

“My advice, Echo, for what it’s worth, is just be the best friend she could ever have, and in time she’ll see you as more. We’ve discussed Briony before, and you know you can’t push her. Just ease off but watch nobody else jumps in because that would be a fucked-up thing to happen.”

I turn and walk away, heading toward the office door when a fart rips through the air. I turn and look at Echo, and he’s looking at me with a frown on his face. I shrug because I know it wasn’t me. I mumble, “Asshole!” I know exactly who is messing with me.

Two hours later, I walk past the garage after handing over the keys to the recovery vehicle I’ve just completed a rescue with. “Malik, it sounds like something is knocking. It’s not loud, but it’s not something I’ve heard before.”

“I’ll take a look, Joker. I’ll book it for a service so it’s shown as out of action for the moment,” Malik replies as he takes the keys and heads to the vehicle.

Taking a seat in the office after grabbing a bottle of water from the small office fridge, I give Tripp and Jay a nod and look at Bull who is eating donuts. “You need to go to the gym, Bull. You're spreading around the middle,” I say it with a chuckle, but I get a nasty scowl in return. Jay and Tripp keep their faces on their monitors, but I can see they are both smirking.

Placing the ankle of one foot on the knee of my other leg, I settle back in my seat. A loud fart erupts, and I shake my head, knowing full well this is going to go on all day. Jay turns and gives me an eyebrow-raised look. I shrug because I cannot be bothered to explain.

My phone pings, and as I check, I see it’s a message from Books.

Books: Have you got the plan for your house yet?

Joker: No. I need to sort it out with Miri.

Books: Well, you need to get on with it because Jeremy just said they are nearly done with the one they are working on.

Joker: OK. I’ll speak with Miri and get back to you.

Books: OK.

I know we spoke slightly about the house, but I’ll have to nail it down or we’ll be placed at the back of the line for our house being built.

Taking a pen and a notepad from the station not being used, I settle back down and draw out what I think the house could look like. Large kitchen, walk-in pantry, side-by-side refrigerator, dishwasher, double sink, cabinets, and that is how I work through the structure as I see it. It will be easy to modify with whatever Miri wants, and I’m more than happy to change whatever she thinks it needs.

Bull gains my attention when he speaks. “Malik says the recovery vehicle you had this morning is out of action for a week. He’s waiting for a part, but don’t think that lets you off working, Joker.”

“No problem, Bull. I’m good to use any of the vehicles that are free.”

“It’s been quiet for two days, Bull. Maybe you can find the fart ass something else to do,” Tripp laughs.

I look at Tripp smirking, “Fuck off, Tripp. It’s not me cutting the cheese.”

“Who is it then?” Jay asks as he turns to look at me.