Scarepair Crowboat: Tony Hutchinson x Jacqui McQueen (Hollyoaks) + “Pumpkin Carving”
'Okay, this might actually be the grossest thing I've ever done,' Jacqui said, grimacing as she pulled out a handful of pumpkin guts.
She tossed it into the bowl next to her, as requested by Tony. Apparently, he was going to use it to making pumpkin pie or something. She was really hoping it would taste better than it looked.
Tony laughed. 'It's just a pumpkin, Jac!'
'No, she's right, Dad,' Ro chimed in, shaking his head. He was eyeing the miniature pumpkin in front of him warily. 'It's disgusting.'
'They never show this part on TV shows,' Ant said.
'Couldn't you have scraped it all out for us first?' Dee Dee asked.
Tony heaved a sigh while Jacqui smiled.
'No, it's part of the carving process! Come on, get a move on! We still have five more to do after these ones!'
It was obvious by one look that the kids were already regretting bringing pumpkins up with their dad. Jacqui couldn't blame them.
'Tell you what,' she said, lowering her voice as she leaned towards their side of the table, 'if you get those pumpkins cleaned out, there might just be some toffee and candy apples waiting for you in the freezer.'
Three sets of eyes lit up simultaneously.
'Jac! Those were meant to be a surprise,' Tony complained.
But a smile split his face as he watched the kids start tearing into their pumpkins. Jacqui handed them some tools and they got work right away.
'I'm gonna make my pumpkin look like the scariest thing I've ever seen,' Dee Dee said. She flicked her eyes to Ant. 'You.'
'Oi!'
'Eh, no fighting with sharp tools in your hands!' Jacqui told them.
She raised her brows at Tony who just shook his head again, eyeing the kids with equal parts exasperation and fondness. It was one of those moments. An image captured in the mind to be stored forever among the photo album of their lives. Jacqui had had so many more of them than she ever expected.
She took a moment to look at the domestic scene she'd found herself in, and suddenly it felt like Christmas instead of Halloween. It was bittersweet, too, as she thought of Phoebe, who would've been complaining just as loud and be as excited at the prospect of candy apples. She'd probably carve something creepy, like a threat to any trick or treaters.
Tony caught her eye, and she knew he understood.
'What are you gonna carve?' Ro asked, looking over at her.
She composed herself with a quick inhale, then blew out her cheeks as she thought for a moment. She said she wasn't sure yet, and the kids started giving her suggestions, then proceeded to start arguing with each other again.