Surprise! I know this is meant to be updated every Wednesday, but I'm used to updating twice a week so I might do Sundays too, seeing how this update goes :)
Altogether, I have 12 chapters written now and I'm only on day 6! Anyway, this is the start of their holiday so I hope you enjoy- please please please review if you can! I love to hear what you guys have to say :) -Sophie x
(p.s- I've also updated "it was like seeing a ghost" so if you haven't read that, I recommend you check it out ;) )
The next couple of months flew by in a flurry of dark mornings, halloween costumes, many firework injuries and a few light scatterings of snow. But soon enough, it was the 10th of December, and time for the ED's holiday down under!
Zoe was the first to arrive at 2:15am, greeting their mini bus driver Pete when he arrived just after her. He packed her case in the boot of the vehicle and she sat inside, waiting for the rest of her colleagues as she did her make up.
Robyn, Lofty and Max arrived next, Max dragging a large black suitcase and Lofty dragging his and Robyn's luminous pink one. Zoe and the porter stole a few kisses before the others arrived; Cal and Ethan, Charlie and Tess, Ash, Lily, Rita, Big Mac and Noel, Louise and finally Connie, cutting it fine at 2:40.
"Sorry I'm late, my hair wouldn't curl." She grumbled, climbing onto the minivan and taking a single seat at the front. Zoe looked at Charlie with raised eyebrows as he climbed on before her, and he whispered "don't anger the wicked witch will you, for all our sakes."
"I know way better than that." She whispered back before climbing on after him.
Once they were all buckled in and ready to go, Pete set off, Zoe doing a silent register to make sure everyone was there before sitting down herself. There was only one space left, and that was next to Robyn at the front.
"Now before I get settled, you're not car sick are you?" Zoe asked, grinning. "We've got another hour and a half on here and I'm hoping to get my head down."
"Same, and nah, you're good with me." Robyn smiled back, putting in her earphones, "Though I apologise in advance if I elbow you in my sleep."
"You elbow me awake and I'll push you off the plane." The clinical lead laughed.
Half an hour into their journey and the coach was almost silent. Zoe couldn't sleep at all, so decided to sneak a look at everyone else.
Max and Lofty who were sat at the back had their earphones in and eyes shut. Lily and Rita were talking quietly on the other side of them. Big Mac was playing a game on his phone with Noël watching intently, and Cal was gazing out of the window whilst Ethan was absorbed in a rather large novel. Behind Zoe, Louise was trying to apply some makeup, despite the jolts of the car and scoffs from Ash. The receptionist kept telling him to shush and motioned to opposite them, where Tess and Charlie were seated.
Tess had fallen asleep against Charlie's shoulder, and he too had nodded off, gently resting his head on hers. Zoe smiled softly at the sight before risking looking over to Connie who was fast asleep, her bag bundled up against the window as a makeshift pillow, and her coat pulled out as a blanket.
"Well, at least no-ones thrown up yet." She muttered, sticking in her own earphones and letting the music relax her until she dropped off.
The woman was awoken 55 minutes later by a sharp prod to the right hand side.
"I said if you elbowed me awake I'd throw you off the plane. I hope for your sake you can fly." She muttered, opening her eyes. Robyn was awake and the coach was filled with noise.
"Zoe we're here!" She said excitedly.
"Ok, maybe I'll refrain from throwing you anywhere for the time being." She smiled before stretching.
The coach pulled into an unloading bay and let it's passengers out.
"Tess? Tess we're here." Charlie said, shaking her gently as everyone got off.
"Yeah I know, I'm trying not to think about the plane ride that's coming ever closer." She said, opening her eyes and rolling them at him.
"Shut up you, you'll be fine." Charlie scoffed, tapping her. "Come on or we'll be left behind."
The group of 15 made their way into the airport and through the long queue at baggage drop off. They snaked around the long line in security, laughing when Lofty got stopped and searched. Lofty got his revenge though when Max set the alarm off as he walked through the body scanner.
Eventually they made it into the duty free area, a whole hour before their flight was due to board.
"Right guys, you all have your boarding passes don't you?" Zoe called and they all replied with a yes. "Well then, we'll meet at gate 7 15 minutes before take off, ok? See you all then, I'm off to buy some cheap red and a packet of fags." She grinned before walking off.
"I'll join her- gonna need a cig before this 26 hour journey." Max muttered to Lofty as he ran to join her.
Meanwhile Connie had wandered off to the perfume section, and was testing out a new perfume when a voice spoke behind her.
"Dolce & Gabbana... Nice choice."
She turned to face Cal, visibly tired but still grinning as wide as ever.
"Dr Knight." She said pleasantly as she could, picking up a bottle of the perfume and moving past him to the checkouts.
"We're not at work now Connie, it's Cal." He corrected, following her.
"If I must. What are you following me for, may I ask?" She asked, raising her eyebrow at him.
"I just really love a woman wearing expensive perfume..." He mused, eyes glittering down at her as she paid and walked out.
"There are plenty of other women wearing perfume here for you to irritate you know."
"Yeah, but none of them are you." He replied simply. Connie paused for a minute before speaking again.
"I'm flattered." She said emotionlessly, making a headway for the ladies toilets. "Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to powder my nose."
"Charming." Cal muttered, watching as she strode into the toilets, her heels tapping on the floor as she went (not that he was looking at those of course...).
Max and Zoe bought themselves some cheap cigarettes and were sat in the smokers lounge, trying to get their fix before the flight.
"Looking forward to sharing a room with the old wicked witch?" Max asked, finishing his cigarette and stubbing it out.
"Connie's hardly old Max, she's only 5 years wiser than me!" She said, "but yeah," She said sarcastically, "It's going to be hilarious."
"Told you, should have put yourself with me." He winked, putting his arm around her.
"And I've told you, people will talk!"
"Eh let em talk. I don't care."
"Yes but I do." Zoe moaned, "Anyway, it's all booked now so there's no point in grumbling about it."
"Yeah yeah." He said, snatching the cigarette from her mouth and sticking it in his own.
"You cheeky little sod." She laughed.
Ethan was browsing the books in WH Smiths when Lily walked in.
"Dr Hardy." She greeted as she made her way over to him.
"It's Ethan- we're not at work now." He smiled gently, his heart starting to race.
"Oh yes, of course." She replied, her eyes scanning the novels on the shelf before reaching out to get one, just as Ethan did the same. Their hands collided and immediately sprang away like they'd just touched something very hot.
"Sorry, sorry you get it." Ethan mumbled his face going red.
"No you, it's my fault, I apologise." Lily insisted, taking the book and shoving it in his hands.
"Oh um, thanks. You can borrow it when I'm done if you like?" He asked, looking into her deep brown eyes.
"That would be lovely." She replied softly before excusing herself and walking over to the snacks isle.
Ethan scolded himself for being to awkward before paying for his book and leaving, opting for a seat by the boarding gate instead.
Soon enough it was quarter past 5, and the plane was ready to board. Zoe and her group were the first lot to show their passes and make their way onto the plane. They had a full row and two thirds to themselves, right at the back. Noel, Big Mac and Lofty bagged the three on the right by themselves, Noel settling himself in by the window.
Rita, Charlie and Tess sat on the three next to them in the middle, with Ash, Ethan and Cal to their right. In front of them sat Rita, Louise and Lily, with Rita bagging the window seat. In the middle next to the three girls sat Connie, Zoe and Max.
Once everyone else had boarded, the pilot made his announcement.
"Hello, this is your captain Marvin Holmes speaking and welcome today's FlySmooth 989 flight to Cairns International Airport, Australia. We'll be stopping off in Singapore in around 10 hours to refuel, and there'll be a chance for you to stretch your legs there too. There'll be a breakfast coming round for you in around 2 hours then a dinner and tea after that. But until then, sit back, and enjoy your flight."