Chapter 3

'You got a lucky break missy,' John growled when Vickie pocketed the 8-ball winning the game it was a second-straight game to her and Mark after convincingly defeating John and Bradley in the first.

'I wouldn't say luck played a part, we were just better on the day so face the facts,' she said, John muttered beneath his breath. Amanda stood up and headed for the door swinging it open.

'You boys coming?' she called sweetly. John and Bradley shoved their cue sticks on the pool table and walked out slamming the door behind them.

'Sore losers,' Mark scowled.

'Oh, most definitely. It must have hurt their pride even more to have their butts kicked by a foreigner,' Vickie added causing them to laugh.

'Well then how about a bit of one on one then?' he asked she nodded.

'I'm game,'

His phone rang breaking up any chance of starting a new game; Mark glanced at screen and saw Shane's name pop up.

'Yes Shane?'

'We are about five minutes away so where are you? Still locked away in the hotel room?' Shane teased.

'No.' Mark laughed he watched Vickie re-arrange the balls back into position.

'Well then where are you?'

'In the billiards room, to get here you turn left at the lifts walk to the end of the corridor and follow it to the end again.' On second thoughts, do you want me to come and meet you? I know you're terrible with directions Shay,' Mark answered letting out a small snigger.

'Shut up Feehily, I am not that bad. Just stay where you are we will be there in next to no time.' Shane answered.

'Ok suit yourself see you soon,' Mark hung up and turned to Vickie.

'Shane and the others are on their way,'

'Oh, ok, that's good. Hey, maybe we should arrange a game with them?' she suggested; Mark caught onto her idea a playful grin appearing on his face he knew the lads wouldn't be able to resist.

'Shane are you sure you know where you are going?' Derek asked, as Shane once again took them back to the lobby. Michael, Graham and Kian refrained from laughing when Shane shot them a fixed glare.

'I know where to go it's just…Mark's explanation on directions is confusing,' He snapped and wandered back to the lifts.

'Ah ha! Found it!' He grinned triumphantly and headed down the corridor. They found the room within a few minutes Kian pushed the door open.

'Hey Ki come on in.' Mark said.

'Thanks mate, and hey there Vick, you don't mind me calling you that do you?' Kian asked as the rest of the lads piled in. She shook her head.

'Not at all and it's good to see you and Shane too,' she added.

'Lads this is Vickie, and Vick I'd like you to meet Graham, Derek and Michael three of our closest friends.' Mark said making the introductions. The three lads smiled and nodded politely in return as Vickie did and then picked up her cue stick and Mark remembered.

'Fancy some two on two action?' he asked.

'Heck yeah.' Michael grabbed a cue stick Shane followed suit. The six lads delved into an animated conversation that Vickie didn't participate but listened in, though from time to time she caught Mark staring. On another occasion, she noticed Kian and Shane whispering to one another and nodding in her direction. Wonder what that is all about She thought. Her phone rang shrilly.

'Sorry I got to take this.' She said smiling apologetically at the lads. At this chance the rest of the lads closed in on Mark he gave them a blank look.

'What?'

'So do you want to tell us what's going on?' inquired Graham. Mark frowned at him.

'What are you on about? There is nothing we're friends,' he remarked.

'It sure looked like something, you've just been staring non-stop,' Kian added, Mark shook his head.

'Egan you read too much into what you see, now would you all just quit bugging me? There's no need to jump to conclusions,' he said.

'Jump to conclusions?' Vickie interjected; the six lads glanced at each other, worried she may have overheard too much.

'Erm, nothing...' Mark fibbed looking a little flabbergasted he glanced at his friends for help.

'Derek was just getting a little too ahead of himself over the winner. You know he likes to have a bet now and again and then he gets all cocky.' Shane piped up, but this did little to discourage Vickie's curiosity and Kian thought it best to press on.

'All right then whose turn is it?'

'Mine.' Shane answered as he took up his position. Vickie stood off to the side watching him as she sharpened her cue stick.

'So who called?' Mark asked.

'Just mum, they'll be back here at noon so I'll join them for lunch,' she said. In the opposite corner of the room, Graham was trying to convince Kian about Shane's idea.

'Come on Ki it can't hurt for us to chip in where possible, I mean look at them.' Graham said, Kian did look but he shook his head.

'Let nature take its own course Gray. If we push Mark, too much he will just back off and get scared especially after things with Haley. Best not to push and let it be. I don't doubt he's aware of the opportunity but let him do it on his own,' he explained.

The game continued to play out with Shane, Michael, Mark and Vickie and some small talk. The constant shared looks going on with Mark and Vickie made Kian think twice about what he said. Perhaps Graham has a point

'Do you do much singing Vickie?' Michael asked.

'Not in front of people, no but in private I do.' She said.

'Any special hobbies?' Shane asked.

'Well.' She hesitated.

'No special hobbies in particular, I just enjoy writing stories most of the time. Listen to music and take long walks. Sounds a bit naïve but I also like being on my own too,' she replied.

'Hmmm sounds a bit like someone we know,' Michael chuckled glancing at Mark he received an irritated glare in reply. Kian watched the young girl, how she shuffled from foot to foot, fiddled with the cue stick and every so often catches a sidelong glance at Mark and he did the same.

'What are you all doing afterwards?' Vickie asked looking at Shane, and he shrugged his shoulders.

'Don't know yet, though our first stop will be my parents' café for lunch,' he said.

'Oh about that I can't make it.' Graham remarked.

'Why?' asked Kian.

'Mel and I are meeting her parents for a barbecue,' Graham answered, his friends shook with laugher.

'Poor you I bet it's going to be a nice grilling,' chimed Derek. Graham muttered the others laughed.

Knock! Knock!

'Come in!' Shane yelled. The door opened up and they all let out a horrid gasp.