The bedroom was dim as Rebecca woke up, wondering what her last term at Trebizon would be like and having a bath before some toast and black coffee. As she said good-bye to her gran and stepped into the green bus, she wondered what it would be like with some sadness, even though predominantly worried about her A-levels. Her relationship with Robbie had finally broken down the term before, he'd decided to go off with Claire Parry instead, a new red-haired Welsh girl into the 6th form who had come from Queensbury collegiate. At the beginning of the Upper 6th, Rebecca had also decided to quit county level tennis because all the effort interfered with trying to get into university. She had chosen to be a prefect instead, and was wearing her badge on her navy school jumper. They were now passing the Queensbury playing fields, she briefly wondered what life at such a co-ed boarding school would have been like. It was raining steadily outside.
The rain continued to pour as the coach moved along the motorway, and Rebecca grew increasingly depressed, periodically looking out of the window while reading a Chalet School book set in the Austrian sun. She was pleased when the coach pulled off into Taunton, and Tish unexpectedly joined, she'd been staying with her parents at a cottage in the area. There were several free seats, she sat down beside Rebecca.
"How are you, good holidays?"
"Well yes, I've almost got bored of tennis now somehow. Did a lot of swimming, and revised latin especially"
"I had problems with maths and history, nearly crashed Helen's car while trying to practise driving at home, very embarassing"
"Oh dear, I hav'nt even really thought about that. Mara and Sally are lucky"
At that point, they recognised Sally's car as it sped past.
"Did you do any sport, Tish?"
"I had some visits to the local track for running, long jump and so on, and took part in a county athletics meet (she was games captain of the whole school). It was'nt bad when the sun came out. What swimming stroke do you like?"
"Mostly breast or backstroke, butterfly only for short lengths. I can't properly do crawl or dive well"
They were both trying to avoid talking about Robbie. Rebecca had finally got fed up with him for barely concealed two-timing. During the disco at the end of the previous term, he'd got drunk and even tried to come on to Tish. They'd jointly slapped him
before he moved across the room with Claire. By now they were on the main dual-carriageway, past Exeter and Plymouth. Then they turned off towards Trebizon town.
The streets were quite busy with people carrying umbrellas and shopping. Rebecca called a taxi from a phonebox, the sea was rough and grey along the coast road. They came to the school gates and pulled up outside Parkinson house.