Friday arrived, and the family were all in their rooms sorting out the final additions to their costumes. Kayo sat cross-legged on her bed going through her makeup and jewellery when Grandma knocked on her door and she called out for her to enter.

"Hello love, how's the dress coming along?"

"The train is nearly ready, I'm just making sure I have the makeup and stuff," Kayo smiled. "How are the boys getting on?"

Grandma laughed. "Well, I've heard some cursing, but I think they're alright."

Kayo chuckled. "I'd lend them a hand, but then the costume reveals would be ruined."

"Don't worry dear, I've been lending my sewing skills and general fuss around," Grandma patted her shoulder.

"Thanks. I can't wait for tomorrow, we haven't had Halloween properly for years. We've been to the mainland enough times on this date, but it's not happening this year."

"Grandma!" A call rang down the corridor.

"That's Gordon," Kayo laughed.

"Probably needs help with his hat," Grandma stood up from the bed and left the room to rescue her grandson.

Later that evening, the family all sat down together for dinner and the boys rubbed their hands painfully. Kayo took Scott's hand in hers and smiled at the tiny scratches made by the needles dotted on his finger pads.

"Next time, I'm using our gadgets," Scott laughed as Kayo stroked his fingers.

"Nonsense. And they wouldn't help you anyway. You should've asked me to give you a hand."

Virgil helped himself to more skinny fries, "what time should we leave tomorrow?"

John hummed thoughtfully, "it takes Thunderbird 1 an hour to get to England at full speed, and it takes Thunderbird 2 almost three hours."

"Whoever wants to get there first, go in Thunderbird 1," Alan joked.

Virgil grimaced. "Thanks for making me feel like my ship is useless. But I'm betting Gordon will be the one wanting to get there quickly?"

Gordon stuck his tongue out, "very funny. But true. I think I might go in Thunderbird 1 if Scott lets me?"

Scott nodded. "As long as you don't drive me crazy. I can have someone else too if anyone wants to get there early?"

Grandma smiled. "Could I join you?"

"Of course."

Virgil counted on his fingers, "okay. I might need to use the extra passenger seats."

Kayo raised her eyebrows, "you can fit more than four people, eight at least. Let's see. There'd be you, me, John, Alan and Ridley. Very easy. To be honest, you could fit Scott, Gordon and Grandma too."

Virgil sighed. "It might be a tight squeeze?"

John smirked. "No, let's do it."

Grandma patted Virgil's hand, "it'll be fun, plus we'll only have to hide one Thunderbird then."

Virgil's frown softened, "how much does your dress weigh, Kayo?"

"Oh, you are going down, Virgil!" Kayo almost choked on her burger.

Virgil laughed. "Only teasing."

Scott pushed his plate aside and placed his phone in front of him, "okay, we'll need a seating plan."

Ridley cocked her head to the side, "a seating plan?"

"Well, I'm piloting," Virgil interjected. "I'll put you next to me, Scott. Gordon and Alan, do you want to sit behind us?"

"Ah, like our joyous adventure with Colonel Janus?" Gordon helped himself to some pieces of melon.

"Yeah. Then Kayo can sit next to Ridley. I'm guessing you'll both be in dresses?"

"Kinda, but mine is shorter and gothy," Ridley smiled.

"That sounds awesome!" Kayo grinned at her.

Virgil continued. "Then Grandma next to John, and that's everyone."

Alan shook his head, "hang on guys, what about Brains?"

Scott looked around, "where is he?"

Kayo pointed to the hangers, "lab. Is he coming?"

Grandma smiled as she stacked up the plates, "Brains isn't coming, he doesn't like big parties."

"Aw. But he'll miss all the fun," Gordon sighed. "Alright then, that's everyone. It might be good to have someone here keeping an eye on the house anyway."

Scott stood up and helped Grandma clear the table, "that's right. So, I don't need to check Thunderbird 1's engines tonight then?"

"No dear, just relax."

Ridley ran her fingers through her short hair, "I can't believe this is your house, John."

John smiled. "Well, it's my house, but Thunderbird 5 is home."

"But John, we love you here!" Gordon cried dramatically.

"Thanks," John rolled his eyes. "Would you like me to show you around, Ridley?"

Ridley nodded. "That would be great."

"See you later, guys," John stood up and tucked his chair under the table before leading Ridley downstairs.

Virgil stretched. "They're a cute couple."

Kayo nodded. "I'm glad John has found someone real. I wasn't too sure about EOS."

"She's fine, but human relationships are always better," Virgil grabbed a cookie off the centre plate with a grin. "I've never trusted EOS, not after she tried to kill John."

Ridley followed John down to the beach huts and smiled as he wrapped an arm around her, "I'm glad we're taking things slow, John."

"So am I. Are you excited for tomorrow?"

"Very, but I'm more excited about seeing the costumes, I hope we'll be recognised. No one has talked about Harry Potter for years."

"Decades," John smiled at her.

"Ha! Not that long ago," Ridley chuckled as she leaned against John's arm with a smile. "Umm John, what are we doing regarding sleeping arrangements?"

John blushed. "I don't mind really."

"I don't want to make you feel uncomfortable."

"And I don't want you to feel lonely in a new house," John smiled. "So, you're welcome to stay in my room. Want to continue the tour?"

"I'd love to."

The pair walked back up to the house and looked out to the pool where Gordon and Alan were swimming, Kayo was drinking a cocktail and the sound of the piano drifted over the patio. Scott was sitting at the end of a sunlounger playing his guitar and Ridley smiled.

"Is that Virgil playing the piano up there, the same guy who works with explosives?"

John nodded. "Uh-huh."

"Impressive. You wouldn't be able to tell that by just looking at him."

"That's what he wants you to think. Clearly, it works," John led her into the lounge and over to the instrument. "Hey, Virg?"

Virgil glanced up from the keys, "yes?"

"Scott is playing his guitar down by the pool, if you fancied a duet?"

"I know, I can hear him," Virgil continued to play.

"You can hear him?"

"Yep."

"How?"

Virgil shrugged. "I just can."

Ridley watched him, "you're really good, Virgil."

"Thank you, Ridley," Virgil smiled and subtly complicated the melody.

"What are you wearing tomorrow, Virgil?" John asked.

"I'm not telling, you're just going to have to wait and see," Virgil smirked.

"Spoilsport."

Grandma snuck into the lounge wearing her costume, "boo!"

Virgil fell off the stool with a yelp and John screamed, the group by the pool looked up at the lounge with confusion. Grandma laughed as Virgil picked himself off the floor as Gordon ran in with Scott.

"What the hell?" Gordon laughed as he looked over to where John was leaning against the desk clutching his chest, and Virgil was rubbing his shoulder.

"Grandma," John panted.

Scott burst out laughing as he spotted Grandma sitting motionless next to the bookshelf, "brilliant costume."

Grandma smiled. "I thought it was appropriate."

Virgil grimaced. "Scared me half to death."

"It's Halloween Virgil, lighten up," Gordon chuckled.

"Mrs Havisham. Brilliant, Grandma, you'll rock it tomorrow," Kayo praised.

"Thank you, dear. I'll go and take it off now. Scaredy-cats," Grandma glanced over at John and Virgil. "See you in the morning."

Scott laughed as Virgil pouted at the piano, "hey? If she gave you a scare, think what she'll do to the guests tomorrow."

Gordon nodded. "Oh yeah, maybe she'll win the competition instead of you, Kayo?"

"I don't mind losing out to a family member," Kayo smiled. "By the way Scott, I need you tomorrow for makeup, we want to look like vampires."

Scott nodded. "Fangs for the heads up."

Virgil pressed his palm down on the keys of the piano humorously with a smirk, "Scott, that was awful."

"Well done," Gordon clapped him on the back. "Taken after me."

Scott rolled his eyes, "I hope not." He checked the time, "come on guys, we've got a long day tomorrow. Bed."