One. Lauren

Sir Jack Tyler's huge mansion looked even more menacing when it was covered all over in shiny, white snow. I got out of the taxi and stayed on the massive driveway for a moment, taking in my surroundings. I stood between the two tall, iron gates and I could almost see a ghost version of myself, a year and three months ago now, stood in the very same spot with BB, Claudine, Lola, Ronnie and Danny. So much had changed since then. The thing was it hadn't, really.

Behind me the cab's engine moaned as it reversed from the driveway and drove out. It was almost two miles until it would reach an actual street.

"Hey," said BB, nudging me playfully. "You so owe me £10."

"I'll pay you back." I promised.

We began walking towards the house.

"Do you want me to take that suitcase?"

As I'd feared, BB could see I was struggling. Since I'd been diagnosed with neuralgia, everyone had been really helpful. Sometimes it was incredibly annoying, though, needing help with almost everything I did.

I let him take the bag I'd packed for the week, which involved enough clothes to last me, give or take a few outfits I'd have to wear twice, my sad excuse for a make-up bag, which would probably make Lola cry, a wash bag and a towel, just in case.

BB knocked on the door, within seconds, someone that must have been a maid answered the door. She could hardly begin speaking before Jez himself came bounding down the hallway, wearing a pear of skinny jeans, a yellow checked shirt and a black tie.

"Hey, Jez, man!" said BB, stepping forward and drawing him into a hug. The poor maid was shoved out of the way.

Jez laughed and waved at me from behind BB's shoulder. I waved back, and smiled. As they parted, Jez took mine and BB's luggage, BB's bag was as equally small as mine, if not smaller.

"I'll show you to your rooms. How are you both?"

"Good, yeah." I replied, following Jez down the corridor.

"Great, how're you?" said BB.

"Fine. You know, bored. Christmas is going to be great. You know Lola and Stefan are coming?"

"Yeah!" said BB, as I said "No!"

I trailed behind slightly, as the boys strode up the stairs. Jez stopped and waited for me, and BB realised then did the same.

"Sorry Lauren," Jez said. "Yeah, when I called to invite them, you know, just to be polite and everything but I wasn't sure they were going to actually come."

"I know, it's mental," added BB, as the three of us set off, them supporting my back, up the stairs at a steady pace.

Jez led us down a long corridor. About four doors down, he indicated to a room with a pretty door. "This is yours, Lauren," he said. I followed him into the room as he placed my suitcase right next to the huge wardrobe which was partly made of glass. "Do you want twenty minutes to settle in and then we can all meet downstairs?"

I nodded. "Yeah, sure."

"Great. Come on, BB."

The room was the size of my room at Mrs Troy's house and my room at home in New Forest plus some extra space. Two of the walls were white; the other two were the same colour as the duvet cover, a warm and comforting shade of reddish-purple. The satin curtains were the same colour, except slightly see through. I relaxed onto the bed. I knew already from phone calls with Jez that Claudine was coming later today and Danny the next day. Claudine I wasn't nervous about, well, not as much. The last time we'd seen each other had been a shopping trip in London, back in October. We spoke on the phone regularly as well.

But Danny… well, the last time I'd seen him had been that painful end of year show, when he'd told me he loved me and I rejected him. I've often thought that was a stupid mistake but overall, I think the whole break up with Danny made me a much stronger, less naïve person. And anyway, Claudine was one of my best friends. Being without Danny was sort of what united us. If anything happened between Danny and me, that would just be betraying Claudine, wouldn't it?

I sighed, getting up and unpacking my things, trying to distract myself from thinking about Danny. So, Lola was coming! I hadn't seen her since the end of year showcase either, when she'd left for Australia but about a week later the post cards started coming, written in delicate, cerise lettering about her adventures with Stefan, the other side of the world. I missed Lola, actually. Really missed her, it seemed so much quieter without her bubbly chatter. Plus the boys would have someone to make fun of now.

I checked the time of the quartz alarm clock on the end table next to the bed, and I still had ten minutes to go, and I'd placed all my clothes in the wardrobe in less than five minutes, put my toothbrush and make up in the en-suite and stacked the romance novel my mother had lent me and a copy of Heat magazine I'd bought on the way and flicked through so I'd be able to talk to Claudine, Ronnie, and now Lola. I laughed at myself. How sad was I?

I felt an urge of pain in my leg, suddenly, and went to lie down. Then there was a knock at the door of my room.

"Come in," I sat up slightly on the bed.

It was BB.

"Hi," I said.

"What's up?" He strode into the room and sat on the side of the bed. "You coming downstairs?"

I nodded. "Sure. Jez said twenty past…"

"Whatever, it's in five minutes." He grabbed my hand and pulled me up. I laughed and went after him as he released my hand and headed down the corridor. We were half way down the stairs when the doorbell rang. Instantly, the maid for before, Jez and his father, Sir Jack Tyler all appeared in the main hallway to answer the door. BB and I stopped in our tracks as the door was opened and a grinning Ronnie came in.

"Hey, Ronnie!" said Jez.

"Hiya," she said, still smiling like the Cheshire cat. She looked like she was straining to keep herself from kissing Jez. Actually, I had to bite my lip to keep myself from laughing.

"Ronnie this is my Dad, Dad… Ronnie," said Jez, indicating.

"Hiya!" said Ronnie. Sir Jack waved politely.

"And Lauren and BB are…"

BB came rushing down the stairs. "Hi Ronnie, babes!"

"… Upstairs," said Jez, laughter on her lips. I followed BB down to the hall, and returned Ronnie's wave. "Oh yeah, Dad, BB and Lauren got here ages ago."

"Hi," Jack said, surveying us.

"Hello," I said, shyly. BB lifted a hand. There was silence for a while.

"Well, Dad, I'm gonna give them all a tour of the house, yeah?" asked Jez.

"Sure… I've got some work to do anyway, so I guess I'll see you all at dinner," replied his father.

"Great," said Jez, and we all followed him down the main hallway, which was lit up by a tall golden lamp.

***

By the time it was six, we'd all had dinner and were sat in the main living room, watching the huge flat screen TV and drinking coffee which was obviously a lot more expensive than the Kenco we would've had at my parents. Then the doorbell went, and Jez immediately called, "I'll get it!"

I went with him to the door. After the first ring there were several more and then a few knocks. We opened the door.

"OMG, Lauren!!!!"

I was taken aback my hugs and squeals. Behind Lola's shoulder, I caught a glimpse of a smiling Stefan who was stood back from the door slightly.

"Hi! Come in!" Jez laughed, as Lola released me and moved onto Jez. Stefan came through the door, carrying with him a khaki suitcase and two larger pink ones.

"OMG, I missed you all so much…"
Everyone followed Jez down the hall as Lola chattered happily in the background. I noticed the way Stefan smiled when he was watching her. It was pretty adorable, actually.

The four of us headed to the living room. As soon as we were inside, Lola burst into a fresh series of squeals when she saw BB and Ronnie, who jumped up from the long, leather sofa to hug her. Jez turned to Stefan, who was stood there holding the bags and looking awkward. I realised it must be weird for him, suddenly being brought into a house of strangers.

"Stefan, if you want I'll show you to your room…" said Jez.

"Yeah, sure." Stefan followed Jez out of the living room leaving me, Ronnie, BB and Lola.

The doorbell went. I heard someone, presumably the maid from earlier as Sir Jack was in his office and Jez was upstairs with Stefan, go to answer it.

Straight away I heard not her voice, but the way her heels clicked against the polished, wooden floor, as she came in.