A/N; Had this written up for a while, tweaked a few things & I've decided to go ahead in post it. Updates will be quite regular, if there's interest.

I own nothing... But I kinda wish I owned a certain Miss Campbell *cough*

"Our flight has been fucking delayed," I huffed, turning on my heel to further complain to my friend, who was no longer standing directly behind me like she was a few seconds ago. I cursed some more and picked up my bag, dodging through the many bodies in the busy airport lounge. I was extra careful not to knock into anyone with my luggage, not that the thoughtfulness was returned, some middle aged man nearly knocking me off my feet as he sprinted past, clearly late. I bit my tongue, stopping myself from shouting out some kid of verbal insult.

"Naomi, over here," as I heard my name being called, my gaze fell upon my friend, happily waving two drinks in the air from the nearby bar.

"Our flights delayed, two hours," I groaned, dumping my bag at my feet as I accepted the glass of alcohol. As I brought the glass to my lips and took a mouth, the strong taste of vodka burned at my throat, making me cough. "Jesus, Zo. What the fuck,"

"Treble vodka," She grinned, taking a mouthful of her own. "Thought we'd start this holiday in style."

"I keep knocking them back, I won't see the first few days of this holiday," I scrunched my face and placed the glass on the table, reaching into my jeans pocket, I found my phone. "I best text my Mum, let her know we're delayed."

The whole holiday idea belonged to my a Mum, who had moved out to Cyprus with Kieran fifteen months ago. I decided to stay back in Bristol, although at times, I did question why I had been silly enough to make that choice. The move didn't really appeal much to me then as it did now. I had enjoyed two separate visits since Mum moved, one for three weeks, the other for five days but it had become more difficult with work now. Working for a big company in the City wasn't always great. This was a surprise, a birthday present from Mum as I'd be turning twenty-five in a few days. She even went and booked two tickets so I could bring a friend and after much deliberation between my two best friends, I agreed Zoe would come along.

Zoe was one of my best friends. We met through work over a year ago and since then, the beautiful, dark haired, Irish toned girl had become a constant in my life. At times, I really did wonder where I would be if it wasn't for her. She was reliable, good fun and at times, she reminded me of friends from my younger years. I could put my trust in her and I hadn't had that for a long time. It's been six years since college. Six years since my group of friends all went off in different directions. Six years since Emily.

It sometimes felt like six days, never mind six years but that was only on the bad days, which were less frequent than they used to be. I fucked up and Emily left, that was pretty much it in a nutshell. I lost everything because I was scared, scared to love and scared to allow myself to be loved. Emily was gone and I wasn't sure my heart had properly dealt with that fact. Out of everyone from college, Cook was the only one I had managed to keep in touch with. After moving away for a few months, he was now back living a few minutes away, which meant I saw him on a daily basis. I was pleased about that as it was never really the same without him.

"Naoms," my friend placed her hand on my arm, breaking me from the thoughts running through my mind. "Are you okay? You were miles away just then,"

"Yeah, I'm fine," I never was a good liar.

"Is this about, Lucy?"

"No, it's totally not about her," I shake my head, sipping at my drink. For once in the last few months, it wasn't about my ex girlfriend who suddenly decided she infact did prefer cock and fucked off with some guy she had been seeing behind my back. That hurt but in a way, I felt I probably deserved it for what I did to Emily. What goes around comes around and all that.

"Thank fuck for that," she smiled, to say Zoe wasn't too fond of Lucy was a bit of an understatement. She tried to like her just for me but it was obvious that's all it ever was. "I never did think she was good enough for my little Naomikins anyway,"

"What have I told you about calling me that?"

"Something about not doing it, I dunno, wasn't really listening," she laughs for a moment, bringing a smile to my lips. "You can blame Cook."

"Do you like him?" I pushed, seeing Zoe blushing behind her glass. I had noticed the two of them getting on like a house on fire lately. "You do, don't you?"

"He's okay,"

"Which means, you fancy him, I knew it."

"He's not a complete cock all the time, that's all I'm saying."

"Uh huh," I smiled knowingly. "Another drink?" She changed the subject, lifting two empty glasses from the table and ignoring the smile on my face.

"Go on then. No trebles though, yeah? I don't wanna be pissing drunk on the flight,"

"When did my good friend get so boring, huh?" She teased me, poking out her tongue before she strolled across to the bar.

It was gone 10pm local time when we arrived safely in Cyprus. I managed to settle my flight nerves by falling asleep, rather uncomfortably for the best part of two hours. Mum was excitedly waiting at the arrivals gate and she instantly came into view as soon as we turned the corner. She rushed over, almost knocking me off my feet as she enveloped me in a hug I needed more than I had originally thought.

"Jesus. You've missed me then?" I laughed, feeling her grip tighten.

"Everyday," my mum beamed happily, tucking a piece of my now darkened hair behind my ear. It was difficult being apart from her, as much as I'd always tell her I was fine back in Bristol, I think she knew at times I wasn't. Mother's instinct she'd say. "You're looking well,"

"I look like shit," I laughed lightly at the disapproved look I was met with and then remembered my Mum & best friend had never met previously. "Oh Mum, this is Zoe. She's the flat mate I've been telling you about,"

"It's nice to meet you, Miss Campbell,"

"Oh please love, call me Gina," We left the airport lounge and started making our way towards the car park, my Mum & Zoe walking a fair few paces in front of me. I was happy to lag behind, taking the opportunity to take a few drags of a sneaky cigarette before I reached the car. Mum's been at me to quit for ages but I don't seem to have the determination in me to stick at it.

Within twenty minutes of being sat in the back if the car, Zoe had fallen asleep. Too much vodka and not enough shut eye on the flight, I chuckle too myself and turn around again, gazing out the passenger window.

"She seems nice," my Mum broke the silence, signalling her head back towards the sleeping figure in the back seat. "Really lovely girl,"

"Dunno where I'd be without her,"

"How have you been, you know, since Lucy?"

"Fine." I answer simply, refusing the shift my gaze from the window I had been staring out of for the last few minutes. I could feel my Mum's eyes blaze through the side of my head. "Shouldn't you be focusing on the road? I actually want to enjoy my time here, not spend it in hospital or worse still-"

"It's okay to be hurt, you know?"

"I'm not."

"I'm your Mother, Naomi." She answers softly, driving on for a few silent seconds before continuing. "I know you love, I know when you're hurting."

"You're wrong this time."

"I knew when you were hurting over Emily, quite the grumpy little shit." She smiles & I feel my stomach tighten almost instantly. I hated talking about Emily with Mum. She always could read me like a book when it came to her. A small book with very big print.

"Why did you have to mention, Emily?" I scowled, already hating where this conversation was going.

"Maybe it's not Lucy you're hurting over. Maybe it's still Emily."

"Bullshit!" I scoffed. "Can we just not, Mum, please?" I stressfully rubbed my fingers over my temple. "It's been a long day, some kid drove me mad on the flight & I'm tired. I just want to get some sleep and start this holiday tomorrow."

The rest of the journey to the apartment was mainly silent, only briefly catching up on how work was going, how Kieran was and how the weather had been. Small talk really but I was tired and I didn't have the energy for any type of proper conversation, especially about Emily.

Kieran was still awake when we arrived, greeting me in one of those massive cuddles of his. Turns out he had missed me just as much as my Mum did. After introducing Zoe to another new face, I made my excuses and retired to bed, collapsing in a tired heap once I had shown my friend where she'd been staying for the next two weeks. I knew she'd be asleep almost instantly and, as I lay awake, staring at the ceiling, I wished it was as easy as that for me to switch off.