Hey everyone, it's Sunday again!
Now, I've decided I'm no longer updating on Wednesdays for a few reasons- 1, I keep forgetting to do so- 2, the viewing ratings aren't as high as Sundays, and 3- you guys are usually at school like me so you won't have time to read it anyway (unless you remember when you get home but I never do that).
So it will be Sundays only from now on, but hey- at least the story will go on for longer! :D
Please do review letting me know what you think- in this update you'll see a bit more Connie, and theres a moment for you Lily/Ethan shippers too ;)
Enjoy! -Sophie x
By the time it got to 11am, the sun was beating down with a huge force. Everyone was beginning to overheat, and Max decided it was time for a dip.
"Anyone coming?" He asked.
Lofty, Big Mac, Noel, Zoe and Robyn got up and made their way over to the large, rectangular pool. The two girls stood at the edge, dipping their toes in and shuddering at the cold.
The guys, meanwhile, were gearing themselves up to jump in.
"Come on you wimps." Big Mac grinned, taking a deep breath and leaping. He splashed the other 4 on the side, and they screamed.
"Come on, it's beautiful!" The ambulance driver shouted, swimming off to the shallow end.
"Yeah Max, go on!" Noel laughed, running at him and shoving him into the water, falling in after him. Lofty stayed at the side until Zoe sighed with impatience and kicked him in.
The two women went round to the shallow side to meet the guys and got in, gradually immersing themselves in the cool water.
"This is bliss." Zoe sighed contentedly, sitting down on one of the steps and letting the water lap over her stomach.
"I know, though I'm starting to regret this style of costume- the top blows up whenever the water moves!" Robyn laughed, pushing down the top of her costume that had started to inflate. At that moment, someone's head butted Zoe's legs under the water. The man poked his head above the surface and splashed them both with water.
"Max!" Zoe squealed, "I'm going to get you for that!"
She lunged forward and created a tidal wave with her hands, aiming it at Max. Unfortunately, it also got Lofty and Noel who had swam up to join them. This sparked a full blown water fight, with some of the others coming to join in too.
They got out and dried off, ready for dinner. Back in the dining hall, they sat at the same large circular table as breakfast, pulling up a chair for Connie next to Zoe (much to Max's amusement). They had to swap places half way through their meal though as they kept elbowing each other.
"Zoe, quit it now." Connie snapped, "it's getting old."
"I can't exactly help it can I, I have as much room as you do." She snapped right back.
"Ladies, ladies." Charlie warned. "If it's going to cause trouble, one of you swap with me."
"I will." Connie said, getting up and picking up her plate.
"Thank god for that." Zoe muttered as she walked round the table.
Zoe's lunch consisted of spaghetti Bolognese and Parmesan cheese, with chocolate profiteroles for pudding. Many of the others had bits of everything, from salad to chips, to pasta, to sandwiches, to fish.
"I am so full." Ethan groaned, pushing his plate away.
"Me too." Lily said, taking a sip of her lemonade.
"Fancy a stroll down to the shop?" He asked, ears reddening slightly.
"Sure." She smiled, eyes sparkling. They got up and left, Cal winking at his brother.
"Are they?..." Tess asked, trailing off.
"Ethan would like them to be." Max winked.
"Wow, didn't expect that one." Charlie muttered.
"Me neither, always thought Lily was a younger you Connie- emotionless." Zoe said, smiling slightly.
"Oh har har." Connie said sarcastically. "I have a daughter you know, I am capable of love."
"Oh yeah, the Mr Sam Strachan!" Charlie realised. Most had completely forgotten that Connie was a mother. "How is Grace these days anyway?"
"She's... Fine." Connie hesitated, drinking the rest of her fanta before getting up. "I'm going back to the room for an hour. See you in a bit."
She left the dining hall, her flip flops squeaking as she went.
"That was a bit hasty." Ash said, pointing out the obvious.
"I know. She has seemed a bit sharper than usual actually." Tess mused. "I wonder if everything's ok."
"Will you try talk to her Zoe?" Charlie asked.
"Why me?!" She exclaimed, looking up from her dessert.
"Well you are sharing a room with her." Max said, " and a bed..."
"Oh give it a rest with the bed jokes. Fine." She sighed, "I'll go ask her now. But you owe me a large red." She said to Charlie who winked at her.
Zoe got up and followed in Connie's footsteps. She found her on their balcony, watching the waves roll on the beach over the street. The clinical lead stood next to her.
"Everything ok?" She asked as gently as she could.
"Yes."
There was an awkward silence as Zoe thought of something else to say.
"If there is-" she began before Connie turned to look at her and cut her off.
"Zoe, don't. I'm fine. Even if there was something wrong, it's none of your business."
"I have to share a room with you for 10 days Connie. If something's making you irritable, I'd like to try sort it out."
The consultant sat down in one of the plastic chairs, and Zoe did the same with the other. She looked at her until the woman sighed.
"Fine. Grace has been expelled from school."
"Expelled? Why?" Zoe said, shocked.
"Bad behaviour. She kicked off nearly every day and the staff just had enough of her."
"Well where is she now?"
"At home with a nanny. I couldn't find her a school before we flew out here so I left her behind." Connie put her head in her hands.
"Connie." Zoe breathed, "I had no idea."
"No one did. No one does." She corrected herself. "And I'd appreciate it if you didn't tell the others."
"I won't, I promise. I'm so sorry."
"It was horrible, leaving her behind. She kicked off big time the morning we left, which is why I arrived late."
"It's fine. I'm glad we sorted this out, it might make things a little easier." Zoe smiled. "I'm going back down to the pool. Are you staying here?"
"Yeah. I'll come down in a bit."
"Ok." The clinical lead smiled. She got up and walked past Connie and rubbed her shoulder gently. "See you in a bit."
"Bye, Zoe."
Meanwhile, Lily and Ethan were on their way back from the shop. They walked in a slightly awkward silence until Lily spoke.
"Ethan?"
"Yes?" He replied quickly.
She hesitated. "Do you... like me?"
Ethan was taken aback at the question. "Of course I do."
"Not as a friend, as more than that." She asked tentatively.
They stopped and he looked at her. Her hair was curtained around her shoulders and her eyes sparkled in the sunlight.
"Yes." He said quietly, "I do."
Lily thought for a moment.
"This isn't... payback or anything?"
"What? Of course not!" Ethan exclaimed. They sat down on the wall next to them. "Is this because of what Cal did?"
"Um..."
"I thought so. Lily, I like you." He said, face going red. "I really, like you and I have done since I first met you. Cal just used you for a bet and that was despicable of him."
"Can I tell you something?" She asked, looking down at her swinging feet before back up at him.
"Anything."
"I... think I might like you too." Lily said quietly, smiling.
Ethan broke into a big grin before jumping off the wall. "I'm so glad. Come on, or the others will talk."
"Ok." Lily grinned, a true, heartfelt smile as she stood up and slipped her hand into his. He squeezed it gently and they walked back to the hotel, hand in hand.
