CLEO Cleo liked hotels. She liked sleeping on sheets she hadn’t, and wouldn’t wash. There was something about them that felt like a clean slate, an invitation to step outside her life and slip into someone else’s, just for a little while. No judgment. No obligations. This boutique hotel was tucked into a quiet stretch […]

TARA Esther: I’m running late @Tara Tara: Same here! Hopefully, we won’t get there so late that we lose our reservation. Esther: Oh no! I’m leaving soon. Tara: Me too! Cleo: Have fun, girlies! I’ll get all the gist when I get back. Tara was trying not to be upset. Today had already started off […]

ESTHER “I’m taking it, there was never a question about that,” Esther said. She was careful with her tone; she didn’t want to sound emotional. “So, I don’t get a say in it?” Kunle asked.  It was the first time in a long time that they were having a conversation that didn’t revolve around Dara. […]

CLEO Potty training was kicking Cleo’s behind.  Honestly, why couldn’t they let kids be kids? Was it really so wrong if your almost four-year-old still preferred doing his business in his diaper rather than perched on a cold, hard toilet seat? With Axel, Cleo had dived into potty training because she hadn’t been expecting it […]

TARA Cleo: my wish came true, ladies! Tara: whaat! Cleo: Mothers’ Day is about to be lit! 🍆 Esther: abeg don’t spoil me o. I’m still a virgin🤣 Cleo: then you must be Mary the second and Dara is Jesus.🫣 Tara: wait. Does this mean you’re ditching us? Esther: co-ask Cleo: what’s that saying? Bros […]

ESTHER Esther stood at the kitchen counter, Dara balanced on her hip, phone in hand, waiting for the kettle to whistle. The scent of boiled yam still lingered faintly in the air from breakfast. She had finally, finally posted her Day in My Life video, and now she couldn’t stop refreshing her Instagram and YouTube […]

CLEO “Mummy, Mandy’s looking at me!” Axel’s voice rang out from somewhere deep in the house. Cleo paused mid-breath, back pressed against the cool bathroom door, the faint scent of citrus cleaner tickling her nose. She unwrapped the tissue paper bundle she’d stashed in her makeup drawer days ago. Now was a good time to […]

TARA Cleo: Hey babe @Estee, just giving you a heads up that some of the mums at group were a bit uncomfortable with the whole YouTube content thing. Esther is typing…Esther: Thanks for letting me know Cleo. I don’t know what the big deal is anyway — it’s not like anyone’s faces showed in the […]

ESTHER There was something about putting on makeup that made Esther feel invincible. Like slipping into a superpower. The rhythmic dab-dab-dab of the foundation sponge, the sharp swoop of her eyeliner; it was her armour. She was excited to be getting out of the house, away from Kunle, whose continued presence (absence, really) was beginning […]

CLEO “Hey baby, sshhh…” Cleo nuzzled Amanda’s soft shoulders, inhaling the warm scent of her daughter’s onesie. Car rides weren’t Mandy’s favourite unless Axel was in the backseat with her, kicking his legs and offering a running commentary about the clouds or trucks they passed. After dropping Axel off at daycare, Mandy had started screeching […]