It was half term, and Connie had taken the week off work and was really looking forward to spending some proper time with the girls.
To make things even better, Jacob had the week off work as well and they were taking the girls to Centre Parcs.
Connie was going round making sure she'd packed everything and decided to go and check on Olivia.
"Are you nearly ready to go Liv?"
"Yeah I think I've got everything, I just need to put all of my revision into a bag"
"Do you need to bring your revision with you, this is supposed to be a break?"
"Yeah I've got loads I need to get done"
"You were working all weekend, and you've still got this weekend too. You've been working so hard and believe me when I say sometimes you just need to give yourself a break, or you're going to end up completely wearing yourself out sweetheart"
"But I really want good results in the summer"
"And you will, but believe me they'll be a lot better if you look after yourself in the process"
"I suppose it would be nice to have a bit of a break"
"Yes, go on leave your revision behind"
Olivia was a bit reluctant but in the end she did leave it.
Connie finished putting everything into the car with Jacob and then rounded up the girls.
"Make sure you go for a wee before you get in the car Rosie"
Rosie did as her Auntie said and went into the downstairs loo.
Once she'd been they were ready to set off so they got into the car.
Jacob was driving leaving Connie to keep the kids occupied for the journey.
The car journey didn't seem to take too long and before they knew it they'd arrived and went to check in.
Once they'd checked in they drove round to their lodge and got all of the stuff out of the car.
"Can we go swimming Mum?" Grace asked excitedly as she could remember from last time how good the swimming pool was
"I suppose we can. We'll go in about an hour though so I can sort things out here first"
"Okay"
Connie started taking some stuff upstairs.
She decided it would be best if Grace and Olivia shared a room and Rosie had one to herself.
Rosie was a bit upset to start with that she wasn't getting to share with the girls but Connie managed to convince her that she was the lucky one and that the other two wished they could have their own room which seemed to work.
Grace and Olivia started to unpack their things.
On the journey Olivia's stomach had started to hurt and now it was really sore so she decided to lie on the bed for a bit.
"Are you okay?" Grace asked
"Yeah I've just got a bit of a stomach ache"
"Oh do you want me to get Mum?"
"No I'll be okay"
When Olivia went to the loo she realised she'd come on her period. She was really annoyed because her last one was only three weeks ago and now it meant she couldn't go swimming.
She came out of their en suite and got her handbag as she had a couple of pads in there. She hoped Connie had packed some though as she was going to need more for the rest of the holiday.
Luckily Grace had nipped downstairs to get a drink so Olivia didn't have to tell her what she was doing.
Grace came back up to the room and Olivia was lying on the bed anymore.
"Are you going to put your bikini on under your clothes or just wait until we get there?" Grace asked as Connie walked into the room
"I don't think I can go swimming anymore"
"Why not?" Grace asked
"I don't feel well"
"Please come, I really want you to"
"I can't Grace, I'm sorry"
"Is my company not good enough for you Grace?" Connie said jokingly
"Yes but I want Liv to come too"
"Well we can't make her if she's not feeling very well" Connie said but she guessed there was another reason why Olivia didn't want to go swimming
"It's probably easier if you do put your bikini on under your clothes Grace, I'm going to put my swimsuit on before we go"
"Okay"
"Come with me a sec Liv" Connie said gently touching Olivia's arm
Olivia followed her Auntie into her room wondering what she wanted
Connie closed the door before turning her attention to Olivia.
"Are you just not feeling well or are you on your period?" Connie asked her niece
"I'm on my period" Olivia said blushing slightly
"Me too, it doesn't mean you can't go swimming though. You'll just have to use a tampon"
"I've never tried to use one, I don't know if I can"
"You could always give it a go"
"I suppose I do really want to go swimming, and I've literally just come on so I'm going to be in the whole time we're here" Olivia sighed
"Oh sweetheart, being a girl is a bit rubbish sometimes isn't it?"
Olivia laughed and nodded.
Connie grabbed her box of tampax and gave it to Olivia to read.
"I'll stand outside, so just shout if you're worried"
"Okay, Jacob's not going to come up is he?"
"No he's occupied with sky sports, don't worry"
Olivia went into the en suite feeling really worried.
After a couple of attempts she managed to get one in but didn't like it so pulled it straight back out.
"How are you getting on?"
"I pulled it out, I don't like it. What if it gets stuck?"
"I'm sure it won't, and if it does I can always pull it out for you. If you had it in, then that's the hardest part done. Put another one in and then you can go swimming"
"I suppose"
Olivia put another one in, and even though she didn't like the thought of it once it was in she couldn't feel it so decided she may as well leave it in.
She came out and passed the box to Connie.
"Is it in?"
"Yeah, I don't like it though"
"You'll get used to it"
"Sorry, I used like 4 when I was trying to get one in"
"That's okay, I'll buy another box if we're both using them though"
Olivia went and got changed glad that she could go swimming now. She wanted to get some paracetamol from her Auntie though because her stomach was hurting loads.
Once they were ready, they headed for the pool and all had a really good time despite how busy it was.
When they got back to the lodge Jacob said he would cook as no-one could be bothered to go back out again.
Connie poured a glass of wine for her and Jacob and then sat on the sofa whilst Grace and Rosie played a board game that was in their lodge.
Olivia stretched out on the other sofa with a hot water bottle.
They'd all had a really nice first day together and we're looking forward to the rest of their time there.
Sorry it's been a while, not had a lot of time but it's half term now. Yay!
