Chapter 20: Next Day & More Games.

The next morning they all wake up at about 9am.  They get dressed and headed out to explore the town.  They do a bit of shopping and then spend the afternoon relaxing on the beach and swimming in the sea.

Several hours later, when the sun had gone in, they headed back to the hotel to get warm.  They decide to stay in to eat and so grab a yellow pages book to look for the nearest pizza delivery place.

After finding one, Stephen dials the number and orders a large pepperoni pizza.  They decide to watch TV whilst waiting for the pizza to arrive.  A few minutes later the pizza arrives and after paying the deliveryman, they all sat around the table to eat it.

Several hours later, after the pizza had been eaten and they had all become very drunk, they decided to play another game of truth or dare.

"I better not be reduced to wearing underwear this time or else you lot are gonna pay, big time," argued Stephen.

"Of course not Gov," said Claire, I'll just try something worse, she thinks.

"Ok, so I start for being last to play last time," said Stephen, "and I'll go for ... Marion.  Truth or dare?"  They'll pay for that underwear one, he thinks.

"Um ... truth," says Marion, I don't wanna be the target for his revenge. 

"Ok, your probably gonna kill me for this, but tell me one embarrassing thing I don't know about you?"

"Apart from losing my phone in the tumble dryer you mean?  I can't really think of anything."

"Oh, come on, there's got to be something," said one of the others.

"Oh, I've got one; once I killed off my entire fish tank by cleaning it with bleach.  The bottle wasn't labelled and I didn't realise at first.  (1)"

"I don't know weather to laugh or cry," said Claire.

"Anyway, my turn.  Claire as revenge for that question you asked yesterday, do you want truth or dare?"

"Well I know this is probably signing my death warrant, but I choose ... dare!"

"Ohh, goodie, just what I was hoping for.  Now let's see, I dare you to ......  Phone up CIB HQ and tell them we're skiving off in Devon."

"One Question, Why Devon?" asked Claire.

"Two reasons.  1) I don't wanna get into trouble, and 2) Let's just say I've got some history with Devon," answered Marion glancing over at Stephen.

"OK," said Claire picking up the phone to complete the dare.

"I honestly can't believe she's doing that and I can't believe you even asked that," stated Stephen.

"Let's just say I was covering tracks.  Don't worry Ste; they ain't gonna figure out where we am."

"That's what I'm worried about."

"Ok," broke in Claire, "My turn.  Now because I can't ask you what you meant Marion, I think I'm going for Stephen."

"I pick truth.  These dares are just getting worse and worse."

"Ok, but I want a full answer.  You seem to know something about this Devon link, so my question is what is this link to Devon and how come you seem to know so much about it?"

"Well technically that's two questions but ok, I'll tell.  First I know about it because I'm apart of that big mess; and as for why Devon; well a few of us skived off down there quite a while ago and we ran into the boss's best friend, DS Burnsley, or whatever his name is.  Well anyway, he told the boss and the only way we escaped getting into trouble was by saying we was working on an undercover investigation and forgot to mention it" explained Stephen.

"Interesting story," commented John, "that wouldn't have anything to do with the 'good old days' quotes now would it?"

"Yeah actually," stated Marion, "that's one of em."

"Don't get putting idea's in there heads Mar; they've already got enough of them as it is," complained Stephen.

"Why?" questioned Claire, "you worried we might uncover some embarrassing little secret?"

"Yeah," answered Stephen.

*Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring*

"Is that someone's mobile?" pointed out John.

"Yeah, it's mine," said Marion fishing it out of her pocket.  "Hello,"

The room turned to silence as she waited for the reply.

"Gov, it's DS Whitehouse," said the voice on the other end of the line; "I was just phoning to see if you was alright since you haven't been in touch with anyone in a while."

"I'm perfectly fine.  I don't need you or anyone else checking up on me.  Do you understand Gary?"

"Yes Gov."

"Good, now if you don't mind, I'd like to get back to sleep."

"Yes Gov, Goodnight," he said, before hanging up.

"Get back to sleep Mar, you've yet to go to sleep."

"I know, but he doesn't," Marion replied.

"Besides," continued Stephen, "it's kinda weird him calling to check up on you, don't you think?  Is there something going on between you guys that I don't know about?"

"No, of course not.  I ain't done anything like that in a long time.  You know how awkward sleeping with co-workers is.  Why?  You jealous or something?"

"No, just curious that's all.  It just seemed strange that's all, and that's the best explanation I could come up with."

"Nah, he might have a crush on me, but he ain't my type if you know what I mean."

"I hate to interrupt, but I'm going to bed; I'm exhausted," stated Claire.

"I think I will too," added John.

"Ok," replied Stephen and Marion not really listening.

"There is definitely something going on between them two," whispered John to Claire, just to see how they would react.

"I heard that," said Stephen and Marion at the same time.

"I see what you mean," joked Claire also leaving the room.

"They're up to something," said Marion when she was certain the others had left the room.

"How do you work that one out Mar?"

"Well that's about the twentieth time that they've insinuated something like that and it's makin me suspicious.  Don't you agree Ste?"

"I guess you've got a point there but what can we do about it?"

      "I don't know," admitted Marion, "but I'm too tired to think about it now so I'm off to bed, you comin Ste?"

"That would really give them something to talk about," joked Stephen.

"Not funny Ste, now are ya comin or not?"

"Yeah, I'm coming; it's kinda pathetic playing truth or dare on your own."

"Hey, you've just given me an idea.  If they want something to talk about then let's give them something to talk about.  See how they react when we're the one's making accusations."

"Nice idea Mar, but you seem to be forgetting that they practically admitted they're together earlier anyway, with the dares and all so how would it work?"

"I forgot about that, but there's gotta be something we can do to embarrass them Ste."

"Maybe there is; they keep on about they think we're together, so lets pretend they're right.  See what they think when they realise we've been messing them around."

"I suppose it could work, but I don't see how it'll embarrass them."

"Erm anyway let's get to sleep, if we're heading back tomorrow afternoon, we're gonna need it."

After picking up all the mess, the two clambered into bed.  Soon all four police officers are fast asleep.

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Author's notes.

1) This really happened to me once.  It killed all the fish.

Thank you to everyone who has reviewed.  You are the best.  Not much more to go now.