It was Thursday morning, they had settled into a routine now. Jonathan would sleep late, a luxury he never had at home and Jennifer would go for a power walk and stop on the way back to pick up croissants for breakfast. Jennifer knew her way around the island now or at least she knew the good walking paths. They were well worn paths, trampled earth from the army of workers pruning and caring for the many apple trees on the island. Jennifer would often try to engage them in conversation as they picked their apples and cut back the long grass. They were always polite to her but would not talk for long as they were busy with their work. In some small way Jennifer envied them their healthy out of doors existance and vowed that she would take on a more healthy life style when she got home. She had wandered a little further this mornng and as she came over a hill she caught her breath. There laid out in front of her on the other side of the island was a pleasure beach. There was the ferris wheel she had been hearing. She could see a large merry go round with old fashioned horses and delightful spinning cups in cheerful pastel colours. Jennifer grinned with excitment. There was no way she wasn't going to drag Jonathan on to every single ride. She turned and skipped off down the other side of the hill. She would hurry and get the croissants. The sooner he was up, the sooner they could go to the fair ground.

Jonathan smiled at his wife, he was glad she was in better form today. The sun was beaming down on them as they enjoyed their hot, fluffy croissants with butter and jelly and drank coffee. They were sitting out in their back yard looking out on to their own patch of golden sandy beach. The waves crashed and rolled in and hissed softly on their way back out to the serf, a sound Jonathan felt he would never tire of hearing.

"Are you crazy...a fair ground. I throw up after rides like that."

"Oh Jonathan," Jennifer said, reaching over and squeezing his hand. "I really don't care."

Jonathan had to laugh.

"Ok but if I throw up don't say I didn't warn you."

"Oh gosh, you really are Mr Sick Boy on the Bus. Come on." she grinned as she took his hand and pulled him up.

H&H

Soon they were spinning around at top speed. Jonathan was too much laughing to be queazy. The spinning cups were pure fun. Jennifer noticed some of the workers were on the rides. It made her feel glad to know that they were getting to enjoy some of the attractions here too. The ghost train was just funny. Jonathan had a flea in his ear from Jennifer screaming at everything that moved. It wasn't that scary, just black panels with painted ghosts everywhere and clever lighting. Jonathan burst a gut laughing when they finally came out the opposite door and Jennifer screamed at the teenage attendent who was just pulling the car into line with the others.

Jennifer was like "Ahhh, oh sorry."

Jonathan was in stitches laughing

Of course they had to go up on the massive ferris wheel. As it soured slowly into the blue sky they got a massive view of the whole Island. They could see their little house on the beach and the restaurant. they could even see the apple orchards right in the middle of the island and dozens of tiny dots in green, the workers tending to the trees.

"Oh Jonathan, this has been such a lovely holiday, I'm so glad we came."

"Ha, this is a big change from yesterday."

Jennifer frowned and looked down at her hands. Jonathan put his arm around her shoulders.

"No honestly I'm glad to see it. I was sorry for you yesterday. This place is a little strange but it's a free holiday and they are doing their best to make us welcome."

"They are, aren't they. When we get back home we must send them something Jonathan."

"We will send them a bottle of our best Whisky providing Max hasn't drank it all," grinned Jonathan as the wheel began it's slow decent.

As they were coming back up Jennifer frowned as she looked down at everything.

"This must be a new holiday spot Jonathan. There isn't many houses like ours or holiday makers."

"Maybe they are hoping we will spread the word," Jonathan said.

She turned to him to nod her agreement but Jonathan was just looking at her.

"What," she asked with a smile.

"Just this..." he moved closer and swept his lips tenderly over hers. He kissed her gently putting a hand to her cheek carressing her soft perfect skin. She kissed him back lacing her fingers through his hair as she savoured the taste of his sweet mouth. The ride was switched off and finished before either of them came up for air.

They smiled embarrassed at the waiting attendents but they just grinned back as they helped Jennifer out.

All bets were off diet wise, Jennifer found a van that sold doughnuts with jam in the middle and milkshakes. They sat at a little table eating as they watched people screaming on the Spider's Web ride as it flew them around in a massive circle.

"I''m a believer," by the Monkees was playing on a loud speaker somewhere. Jonathan was singing along to it.

"Imagine working here, wouldn't it be great. You could go on the attractions on your lunch break like these guys," Jennifer said as she took a big bite of her doughnut.

"You'd probably get sick of it though. There's only so much you can do here."

"Yeah I have to admit, I'm missing my own bedroom and Max and Freeway a little bit now. There's no place like home really is there."

"Well we still have two more days of holiday here and we will see them soon, on that note I'm going to get us one of those large arty looking sticks of cotton candy."

Jennifer laughed as he came back and handed her a massive blue and pink flower of cotton candy. It was huge.

"Am I supposed to eat this or stick it in a vase at home."

"Well if you don't eat it I will," He grinned.

Jennifer looked at him. He was so tanned, his hair was shining in the sun. Jonathan looked so beautiful. She felt warm with how lucky she was. She bit off a massive piece and looked up at him. The fluff protruding from her mouth.

"Ugh, you're not right, you know that?"

He moved in and bit away the fluff that was sticking out of her mouth.

"Hay no fair." she said around a mouth full of cotten candy.

Soon, they were walking slowly back towards the beach. The afternoon sun was high in the sky and there wasn't a breeze to be had.

"Jennifer... " Jonathan began.

"Go on," she smiled. "Go for your nap."

"Do you mind?" he asked.

She kissed him lightly on the cheek.

"This is our holiday. We do exactly what we want. You go and have a nap. Anyway I want to check out that gift shop on the beach and have a walk around."

"Thanks darling," He grinned as he headed off down the hill towards their little house.

"I'll bring some of that pizza back with me for dinner."

"That will be great, thanks Jennifer." he waved as he continued on.

She smiled at his back and then she skipped off down in another direction. She followed a path through the trees which led in the general direction of the beach. She was suddenly curious as she thought she could hear chanting. She followed a path through the trees and came to a larger looking house. It was as quaint and ornate as every other house here but it was bigger and it had a cobbled stone yard at it's front fenced off by a low wall.

As she came closer she realised the voices she could hear were children. It sounded like they were learning lessons. She stood by the little iron gate and listened to the many little voices.

"Are you lost?"

Jennifer jumped a little and spun around.

A young girl in a royal blue blazer and a light blue dress smiled up at her.

"Are you lost miss?" she asked again.

"I am a little bit, I'm looking for the beach," Jennifer smiled at her.

The little girl pointed, "Just follow that path."

"Thank you," Jennifer smiled down at her.

"Are you having summer school?" she asked.

The girl nodded and looked towards the building.

"I'd better go in," she frowned.

"Have a good day," Jennifer was now heading off on the path the little girl indicated.

"Are you going to teach us?" the girl called after her.

Jennifer stopped and turned around.

"No, sorry. I'm not much of a teacher," she smiled.

The girl frowned.

"Annabelle will show you. I think you will be a really nice teacher. See you next week."

The young girl waved and then she turned and headed into the building.

Jennifer stared after her.

H&H

Jonathan was tired. He wasn't good with heat. He would lie on the bed for an hour or two and he would be fine. He turned the key in the lock and went in. He froze as the figure dropped his jacket on the floor. Jonathan raced across the room as the boy tried to run for the bedroom.

"Let me go, let me go." the boy struggled in his grip.

Not wishing to hurt a child Jonathan did let go. The boy quickly ran for the door and was out the gate before Jonathan could stop him. Jonathan quickly searched the house to see what the kid has stolen but he found nothing. Their money was still on the dresser, that was a silly place to leave it. Jennifers jewellary box was left untouched. Jonathan walked slowly to the door and closed it shut. That was the young boy who had brought them wood every evening Jonathan was sure of it. Jonathans rolex watch was on the kitchen table. He had taken it off to wash his hands at the sink. Surely the boy would have seen that. Jonathan decided not to tell Jennifer. He was just a kid, if he came back he would see the wrong side of Jonathan's boot on his backside. There was no need to worry Jennifer about this. Jonathan decided he might have a word with Gill Sonas about the incident later but right now he was tired. He wanted to lay down.

Two hours later Jonathan felt a hand on his shoulder. He woke with a start. Jennifer jumped back.

"Are you ok?" she asked.

He nodded. "Just a bad dream."

"Come on," she smiled "I have pizza on the table and a nice bottle of orange with ice cubes to go with it.

As they grabbed napkins and took their places Gill Sonas popped her head around the door.

"Knock, Knock," she grinned.

"Hello, come in." Jennifer smiled "Would you like some pizza?"

Gill came in fanning herself against the heat.

"How is your asthma?" Jennifer asked, her face serious with concern.

Gill sat for a minute but politely declined the pizza box Jonathan held out to her.

"This is not the weather for asthma," she smiled wearily. "But someone has to run this place."

"Fair play to you Gill, you're an inspiration, truely you are." Jennifer said.

"Well now, I have news. We are having a massive barbeque at the park tonight. There will be ribs, flamed grilled burgers, chicken, and all the salads you can eat. Please come we would love to have you."

Jennifer looked to Jonathan. He nodded with a smile and she turned to Gill.

"We wouldn't miss it," she said.

"Great," Gill got up. "Honestly, you'll have a great time. It starts at seven but come any time after that."

"Thank you so much Gill, we are having a truely great time."

"I'm so glad to hear it. I'm glad you nice people won the prize. I'll leave you in piece to enjoy that pizza. If I look at it any more I'll devour the whole lot bar the olives."

They both laughed as she headed out and closed the door after her.

H&H

After their pizza they went to sit out in their garden for a while. There was a swing seat on the grassy area of their back yard and they sat together listening to the waves breaking on their own special patch of the beach. They shared a bottle of red wine and just sat in comfortable silence.

"Ugh I could just sit here all night and watch the sun go down." Jonathan said at last.

"I know, why did we say we would go to that party," Jennifer grinned. "I'm just getting all settled in here."

Jonathan finally hauled himself up from the seat.

"Come on darling, we did promise."

"I suppose you're right."

They put on their best clothes. Jennifer looked stunning in a pastal green gown with a pretty white shawl with tiny sequins around her shoulders.

It was still very warm. Jonathan wore a short sleeved shirt over a tanned pair of chinos. They walked towards the park vowing that they would not stay long. As they entered through the stone arch that vow was soon forgotten. All the trees in the park were decorated with coloured fairy lights that twinkled. There were pretty table cloths on each picnic table and a large fire pit right in the middle.

Jennifer looked all around her "Oh Jonathan, it's like one giant Christmas tree."

"It is pretty impressive," Jonathan said looking up at a waterfall bathed in shimmering lights.

There was a large table to the left covered with a white cotten table cloth. it was laiden down with every kind of food under the sun. There was cooked meats of every kind, dipping sauce, salads, fresh white rolls, cheese and fresh caviar. Jennifers mouth watered as she saw the massive icecream desserts and trifle's laid out and chocolate fudge cake with large bowls of cream you could help yourself to.

Jonathan laughed as he noted her face. "Go on," he said "you can go back to the gym when you get home."

Jennifer was like a kid in a candy store. She headed straight over to the buffett and grabbed herself a plate.

They needn't have worried about calories as soon as the music started Jonathan and Jennifer were up dancing. it was an open air event and so they could dance the night away in the coolness of the evening. The band was a swanky jazz arrangement with piano and violins. Very catchy music, very easy to dance to. Gill treated Jonathan and Jennifer as honoured guests and made sure they always had a glass of apple wine to drink. As much fun as they were having the wine flowed well into the night. The laughter was intence. Somehow Jennifer and Gill had became best friends forever and linked arms as they stumbled along together looking for the ladies bathroom.

The next morning Jonathan strained to open his eyes. He could feel his head already, it was pounding. He throat felt as though he had swallowed a roll of sand paper. Jennifer lay beside him in the bed. She was still wearing her dress. He looked down and realised he was still wearing his clothes from the night before too. His eyes narrowed as he saw the Welcome to Sonas bracelet on his wrist. He brought it up to examine it. He ran a hand over its smooth orange coating. There was no join, how was he supposed to get it off. it wouldn't come off over his hand. He looked over and saw that Jennifer was wearing one as well. Jonathan stumbled out into the liiving room. He couldn't even remember going to bed last night. He was going towards the kettle to fill it when he stooped to pick up a piece of paper on the ground. He squinted and rubbed at his sore left eye before he read...

"Don't put on the bracelet."

Jonathan straightened up. He thought back to the day before and the boy running out of their house. Had he left this note for them to find? Jonathan went slowly over and took the kettle to the sink. He filled the kettle, he then ran his hand under the tap. Still the bracelet wouldn't come off.

"That won't work,"

He spun around to see Gill standing at the front door.

"Good morning Jonathan,"

"Gill, good morning. That was some night." he tried to grin. She didn't return the smile.

"Gill, this bracelet..."

"I will explain everything Jonathan. Go in and wake Jennifer."

Jonathan just looked at her.