'They Say That Good Things Take Time' – Chapter 4
Lilly emitted a low groan as she threw her head back into the pillow and trembled slightly whilst Miley slowly ran her hand up and down her arm. At any other moment, Miley would have been flushing a bright red as she grew hotter from her friend's guttural noises, yet this was not the time.
"Alright Lilly, take it easy, it's gonna be alright." Miley whispered soothingly as she tried to calm her pained best friend whilst grimacing herself, and rubbing her own stomach with her free hand in steady circles.
"It's moments like this when I hate flying." Lilly mumbled slowly. Her face had gone from tanned to green in the space of half a minute and Miley was suffering also, preserved only from her regular flight experiences. They had hit turbulence only a couple of minutes ago but the plane was getting quite rocky and it was taking everything in Lilly's power to try to avoid asking for a sick bag. It would not do for Lola Luftnagle, best friend of the legendary Hannah Montana, to be caught losing her lunch fifteen minutes before they were due to touch down in the United Kingdom. Lilly squeezed her eyes tightly shut and gritted her teeth together when she felt the plane dip down painfully before sharply pulling up and seeming to become steady again. Miley had gripped her hand tightly at this point and allowed a small whimper to creep out of her mouth but Lilly heard her and smiled slightly as she eventually felt the plane level out into calmness again. She sighed before turning to engage Miley's attention.
"You alright now Miles?" she asked whilst watching a very pale Miley slowly blink her cerulean eyes open and turn to face her friend. Miley's cheeks grew gradually pinker as she watched Lilly gazing at her, now with a sparkle of amusement in her eyes since the danger was over.
"Yeah, I'm alright now Lilly. Sorry about that, I was meant to be looking out for you, but boy! That sure was a rocky ride." Miley raised her left hand and rubbed at her brow, pushing the fake blonde fringe of hair off her forehead for a moment as she breathed deeply in relief.
"I'm glad you're feeling better." Lilly said with a smile in her voice "Perhaps you're well enough now to let go of my hand?"
Miley's eyes widened slightly as she realised that she was still gripping her best friend's hand very tightly and suddenly felt reluctant to let it go. She slowly released Lilly from her clutches and smiled at Lilly's giggle.
"I am so relieved that's over!" Lilly said dramatically to Miley before throwing herself back into her seat and fanning herself with her now free hand. "Phew! How much longer until we land? I mean, I love flying first class and all, but still, you've got to admit, it's been a long flight."
Miley chuckled quietly before replying after a yawn, "I think we've just got another ten minutes of air time. But yeah, it has been a long flight. I forget how easy it is when it's just cross-country but cross-continent takes a lot out of a gal, I can tell ya that."
"Alright Miss Belle!" Lilly laughed as she used the nickname she often employed for when Miley's southern twang became more prominent in their conversations. Miley stuck her tongue out at her friend before resuming her attention to Lilly's window.
"Hey window hog!" Lilly reproached as Miley looked straight past her. "See anything good out there?"
"Nah, just clouds like before. We should be landing soon but maybe we're flying a little late. Oh wait, I think I just saw some fields in a gap in the clouds."
"Fields?" Lilly replied in a weary voice, "But we're supposed to be flying into London! Not some British country manshiony place where we get gnawed alive by sheep and accosted by the locals before being dragged in for 'tea-time' where we get served pigeon or whatever else they've killed that day!"
Miley laughed at Lilly's strange imaginings of English culture, she had visited London many times and had seen no such signs of this backward, tea-drinking, race.
"Don't worry Lil I know how to deal with the locals. You just gotta keep the volume down and not be overly friendly, ya know? They like to keep themselves to themselves. Except for the paparazzi, they'll be all over us like a rash."
"Meh. Same as anywhere really then isn't it? The whole world loves a bit of Hannah Montana."
"Yep and Hannah Montana loves the world for loving her!" Miley giggled before hushing her quirky friend as the pilot announced that they would be landing shortly.
The plane managed to come to a landing without too many dramas, which disappointed Miley somewhat as she had been anticipating another chance to touch Lilly in some way, only to soothe her nerves of course.
"Good morning ladies and gentleman," a voice announced over the intercom, "we have landed in London Heathrow, the time is seven-thirty a.m. and it is eighteen degrees outside. We hope you have had a pleasant journey."
Miley leaned forward stretching in her seat as their fellow passengers began to shift into action around them; most of them were suppressing yawns and gathering up their hand luggage ready to depart. Miley watched in amusement as Lilly clung to her on-flight blanket and looked out of the windows in alarm.
"What the heck is wrong with you girl?" Miley asked with an arched eyebrow and an amused smile playing across her lips.
Lilly looked at Miley as if she was crazy, "The pilot said it was only eighteen degrees outside! That's like, freezing beyond freezing! Are you sure we landed in London and not Antarctica or something?"
Miley let out a short, yet surprisingly loud, bark of a laugh before clamping her hand over her mouth in embarrassment whilst Lilly looked on in astonishment. She giggled at her friend's vacant expression before answering her query, "Lilly, I know that I warned you that a British summer is no way near the same as one in Malibu, or in most of the United States… but seriously girl, do you never pay attention in math?"
Lilly just looked at Miley vaguely until realisation dawned on her of the different systems for measuring the temperature. "Oops."
Miley grinned kindly at her dazed friend, "Don't worry about it Lil," she said warmly, "I get confused too with only a couple of hours sleep in me."
"Yeah! And I would have slept better if you didn't keep bobbing around in your sleep and mumbling stuff to yourself." Lilly pouted in an attempt to draw guilt out of Miley.
"Well, just be glad Hannah flies first class. I can tell you stories of all the times poor little Miley had to fly economy, and they're not pretty!" Miley shuddered in memories of sitting stock-still in her seat whilst the man next to her kept dozing off, head drooping precariously close to her shoulder. Then there were the children who kicked the back of her seat all the way from Tennessee to Malibu whilst she was flying home from visiting her cousins one summer. Miley frowned subconsciously as she remembered how she had to bite her tongue from turning to face the little brats and giving them a piece of her mind.
"Fair enough." Lilly resigned herself to admitting that she had enjoyed the flight overall. The food was up to her standards, not that she particularly had any, and she was able to see some movies that she had never had time for whilst she was at school. Mimicking her friend's actions, Lilly raised her hands to her purple-topped head and ensured that her wig was firmly in place for disembarking. She knew that the media would be on high priority now that Hannah had landed in the country and she was not about to risk her best friend's identity for anything.
Although Lilly had been friends with Miley for a while now and had been to concerts where she constantly saw the notice that the world gave to Hannah Montana, she never failed to feel awed by the attention her friend received. They had made their way through security and customs quickly, Heathrow had been kind to the international celebrity, but now they were faced with the crowds who had come to meet them as they prepared to leave the airport. Lilly was momentarily blinded by the flashes of hundreds of cameras and she was glad she did not have to deal with her luggage herself because she would have temporarily gone insane and driven into the masses of photographers. She had to remind herself that she too was apparently a ridiculously famous person and quickly shut her mouth which had gaped open. Lilly turned to look at Miley, a few paces in front of her to her left, but she saw only Hannah. Miley had slipped on a big pair of tinted sunglasses and was doing her best celebrity smile in all directions so that the cameras could capture her happiness at being in London and thus give her a flawless review without the need for words. Lilly watched with amusement as her friend waved at a small group of fans that the airport had sectioned off in a special area before she walked over to them and signed autographs. Lilly was happy enough to hang back and watch for a while as the body of cameras had followed Hannah across the room, as if she were a paperclip and they were one hundred greedy magnets drawn to her by an invisible force. It was not long before a few photographers noticed Lola standing watch over the ordeal and commanded her attention.
"Lola! Lola, over here sweetheart." Lilly turned her head and noticed the beaming photographer who had addressed her. She kindly gave him a smile and even posed with one hand on her hip and the other down at her side as she had seen Hannah do countless times. "Yeah, yeah, that's great!" The photographer enthused before he nudged his companion, holding a microphone, in the side, eager to get his attention. The other man blinked and looked confused but only for an instant before his own face broke out into a smile and he held his microphone closely to Lilly whilst beckoning her near.
Lilly was shocked that she had caught the man's attention and after a quick look at the disguised Mr Stuart who gave her a smile and a nod as permission, she walked over for an interview.
"And here we have Lola Luftnagle, best friend of the international pop star Hannah Montana. Lola, it's great to see you in London this morning."
"Erm thank you." Lilly replied feeling more than a little bit nervous but she retained a smile anyway. Miley had always told her that if ever a situation arose where any media-type would demand her attention that she was to keep smiling because it would make her instantly likeable.
"So tell us, are you to be here in London during Hannah's two week stay? What type of things do you think you'll be getting up to in the capital? Have you got any parties planned?"
Lilly kept smiling as she prepared to answer his questions and tried to ignore the butterflies that were rising up in her stomach. "Well we're very, very excited to be here. I've always wanted to come to London and you sure have given us a great greeting." Lilly smiled as she gestured to the crowds. "And yes, I am going to be here all the time with Hannah. I've been waiting for an invite on tour for a long time and well, now you've got me!" Lola was beginning to shine through Lilly's nervousness and she felt herself loosen up a little bit more. The man interviewing her was smiling at her encouragingly and Lilly knew that he was secretly proud of himself, few people had got the chance to interview Hannah Montana's closest companion before and he was not going to ruin the opportunity by being too pushy with her. Lilly was grateful for this and giggled sweetly as she answered his other questions. "I'm not sure what we're going to be getting up to in London. Unfortunately we're not going to be hanging around for long so we won't get to do that many of the touristy things. Erm, I'm not sure about the rest… I think we'll be heading to a few parties. I can't wait to see what London has in store for us." Lilly finished her interview with a big smile and the interviewer looked thrilled.
"Thank you very much Lola! We hope you enjoy your stay." The interviewer smiled as his companion lowered the camera and he thanked Lilly personally again quickly before turning to push back through the hordes in an attempt to get closer to Hannah. Lilly smiled to herself as other photographers began to demand her attention and she privileged them with a few smiles and a handful of different poses she had practiced if ever the occasion was to arise.
Lilly jumped a little bit at the feel of a hand on her shoulder which suddenly distracted her from her close-ups. She turned her head sharply only to come face to face with Miley who was grinning at her knowingly from behind her glasses. Miley casually slipped her arm around Lilly's shoulders and turned her friend to face the throng of photographers once more as they both engaged the media's attention in a few cheeky photographs of the young celebrities. After a minute though, Miley took Lilly by the arm and led her away through the crowds, still with a smile on her face which Lilly was copying.
"Phew!" Lilly gasped as she lowered herself into a seat in the back of the limousine. She was closely followed by Miley and then Robbie Ray himself who hastened to shut the door against the streams of shouting fans and photographers. Miley was smiling as she scooted over to sit next to her slightly flustered friend.
"You alright there Lilly?" Robbie Ray asked Lilly in a concerned voice. He had been worrying about the airport situation, it was one of the most hectic times as everyone was exhausted from the flight and he had not been sure how Lilly would adjust to the sudden press of activity. The girl was looking slightly flushed in the cheeks to him but her eyes were sparkling with excitement as she replied enthusiastically.
"I'm fine Mr S. You don't have to worry about me!"
"You bet she's fine daddy." Miley suddenly pitched herself into the conversation, "I saw her lapping up all the attention from the media. You'd think she was the cat that finally got the cream or something." Miley lovingly teased her best friend and could scarcely contain the happiness in her voice as she linked her arm up with Lilly's.
"Well, you know how it is Miles, the media can't resist themselves when someone as famous and high profile as me walks through their doors." Lilly said this with a smug smile as Miley giggled.
"I'm just glad that they didn't have to see you inhaling your breakfast on the plane this morning Lils. You would have been screwed if there had been photographers to snap you scoffing both of our meals. I can just see the tabloids now, 'Hannah Montana best friends with Pig Girl'." Miley cracked up with dizzy laughter whilst Lilly pouted and Robbie Ray looked on at the two girls, a content smile crossing his features as he watched them being themselves whilst in the guise of others.
"You think you're so funny Miley Ray," Lilly began to argue back, "but I think that you're just secretly jealous that Lola Luftnagle is soon going to be discovered as a rising star whilst Hannah Montana is cast into shadow when compared to my greatness."
"And what talent is all this going to be based on Lilly, other than your astounding ability to finish a meal without chewing?"
Lilly sulkily broke arm contact with Miley and playfully turned to glare out of her window whilst her friend laughed at her futile attempt at the silent treatment. Lilly reluctantly felt her own face break into a smile at Miley's musical southern laughter and she turned back to her friend.
"You really think you're so funny don't you?"
"Think so? Lilly, honey, I know I'm a barrel full of laughs." Miley said with a sassy smile but soon she began to feel a yawn creeping up on her as the adrenaline she had been relying on when dealing with the photographers began to subside. Lilly caught the yawn which Miley unashamedly through out over the limousine and snuggled closer into her friend's side. Miley smiled a secret smile at Lilly's actions and discreetly wrapped her arm around Lilly's once more before closing her eyes to relax for a minute. The minute was not even over, however, before both girls drifted off into a light sleep.
Not much time passed before Lilly soon became aware of Robbie Ray's voice breaking through her hazy sleep and she found herself stirring into consciousness once more. Miley was already more upright at her side and rubbing her face in an attempt to freshen up. Lilly felt hideously groggy and began grunting and stretching dramatically as she released a seemingly endless yawn from deep inside before slumping back into her seat.
Robbie Ray was watching the actions of the temporarily purple-headed girl with amusement and an "I told you so" look played across his face as he engaged eye-contact with his daughter who merely rolled her eyes. It was so frustrating when her father was right about how they should not nap after a flight; it was always so much harder to wake up again.
"We're nearly there now girls." Robbie Ray said softly into the back on the limousine and received two nods from the dozy teenagers.
The limousine soon pulled up outside a less than grand entrance to a rather large looking hotel. Lilly shortly realised that they must be entering through a special door as she could see no sign of photographers but she was not about to take any chances and straightened out her wig before climbing, rather ungracefully, out of the car. They soon entered through what was apparently the kitchen door and walked through a very smart kitchen, immaculately clean silver surfaces glistening as the chefs paid them little attention. They were led by the doorman through some gradually more decorative corridors until they arrived in the main entrance hall. Lilly gasped and looked around in awe, she had never seen such a place before and she could not help her jaw from dropping as her mouth gaped open.
"Welcome to the Ritz Lilly." Miley chuckled under her breath at her friend's expression. She had stayed there once before herself and had also been overwhelmed by this display of British grandeur at its fullest. "Now, do you think you should shut your mouth? I think the hotel staff will get offended if they think you're trying to catch flies."
Lilly hastily shut her mouth and gulped, she had once again forgotten who she was but continued to regain a disinterested expression more suited to a careless teenage celebrity from the States. She still could not prevent her eyes from telling the lie her face was hiding however as she willed herself to absorb and remember everything about the beauty of the hotel to tell her family. Lilly's eyes fell first to the deep red carpet spread across the entrance hall, to the highly polished desks where the perfectly made-up members of staff were seated. Her eyes gradually climbed further up taking in the white-washed walls and the subtly chosen patterns etched into them in places. The lighting of the room was complimentary and shed a beautiful warm glow from the crystal chandelier set in the ceiling.
"Ready to go girls?" Robbie Ray's voice broke Lilly out of her trance and she smiled shyly at him in response. Mr Stuart merely chuckled and led them both to an elevator waiting nearby.
"Where are we staying?" Miley asked her father as the lift began to rise slowly through the building.
"You and Lola," he spoke like this due to the elevator attendant standing nearby, "are both staying in one of the Piccadilly Suites."
"Oh right." Miley acted as if this really meant nothing to her and turned her head haughtily to the side. Lilly said nothing but maintained her composure until the elevator came to a stop and they shortly found themselves outside of their rooms.
On the other side of the door, however, Lilly could no longer repress the small "Eeep!" that had built up inside of her. Miley smiled at her friend before turning, dismissing their attendant and closing the door swiftly behind them.
"So, what do you think Lilly?"
Lilly did not know what to say at first, as her eyes swept across the room her face glowed with happiness. The lounge which they had entered was a beautiful mixture of colours; blue, peach, pink and yellow, and placed formally inside the walls was an array of handsome armchairs and couches. She ran to the window and looked along Piccadilly, at the hustle of the crowds, the red double-decker buses of London, the busy shops and the different road signs and layout of the city. It was so much to take in but Lilly was not finished as she turned and rushed into the bedroom, marveling at the floor-length pink and cream drapes and the giant double bed, the attractive wooden wardrobes and chest-of-drawers with more than enough storage space for the two young women. The bathroom was equally exquisite with a large shower, big enough for six people let alone one and also bathed in the same warm lighting that seemed to fill the entire hotel. She walked slowly out of the last room she had inspected, wearing a grin on her face which made her eyes sparkle and her cheeks rosy. She sunk into Miley's waiting arms before both girls began to bounce up and down whilst holding one another, releasing the girlish shrieks of joy as their holiday together truly began.
Miley feverishly pulled off her wig before proceeding to draw Lilly's own short purple crop off, slowly releasing a cascade of golden hair which fell delicately over her shoulders. Miley willed herself to stop the undressing there and made her way over to the window in a distraction where she gazed out at the city which never failed to impress her.
"Is this really real Miley?" Lilly asked, excitement trembling through her voice as she stared around the room.
Miley smiled to herself as she stared at the shoppers below before turning to share the warm beam which had slipped across her face with her friend.
"Yes Lils, it's really real."
Lilly shrieked again with a delight that could not be confined and rushed into the bedroom. Miley raised her eyebrows at her friend's actions before she heard the familiar heavy flump of a mattress being jumped on. Her suspicions were correct when she ambled casually over and stood in the doorframe, arms folded across her chest as she watched her friend pound the mattress with her feet, and Miley's eyes sparkled.
"And what do you think you're doing?" Miley asked with a subdued laugh in her voice.
"What…does…it…look…like…I'm…doing?" Lilly answered sporadically with every bounce closer towards the ceiling. Eventually she came to a halt and smiled winningly towards the reserved brunette, "You could come and join me you know?"
Miley did not need asking twice to join Lilly on the bed as she hastily unfolded her arms and scrambled up while Lilly grabbed both of Miley's hands and led them in their bouncy dance.
Robbie Ray found the two young women in a rather disheveled state after they let him in a few minutes later. They were both pink in the face, slightly flustered and their hair stuck out in all directions.
"Do I really want to know what you two have been up to in that bedroom in the twenty minutes that I left you alone together?" he gently teased the girls from his position in one of the armchairs, while his lips twitched back a smile.
"We were just making proper use of the bed Mr S." Lilly casually replied from the sofa she was sharing with Miley as her eyes glittered when she prepared herself for banter with Miley's father. Miley was temporarily preoccupied as she attempted to flatten her hair but soon looked sharply up at them both when she realised what Lilly was implying.
"Oh really?" Robbie Ray inquired, "Well, maybe next time you girls should put the old 'Do Not Disturb' sign on the door or tie a hair band around the handle?"
"Yeah, that would probably be a wise thing to do." Lilly quipped as she began to settle into the conversation, flexing her innuendo-shaped muscles as she continued. "Miley and I get a bit carried away sometimes so sorry if you heard anything you shouldn't have. Lots of screaming on her behalf, I promise that I'll take it easy on her but I can never stop myself from getting carried away…" Lilly was smiling boldly, something which began to alarm a now scarlet, wide-eyed Miley who was caught between staring at Lilly's unashamed, mischievous face and her father who suddenly looked serious.
"Lilly!" Miley burst in, unable to contain her embarrassment any longer and she had to hang her head when both her friend and her father caved in to a fit of laughter. They rejoiced in making Miley feel awkward and she found herself smiling along with them to her great annoyance.
"Oh Miley," Lilly sighed as she mimed wiping away tears of laughter, "I'm sorry. It's just so funny to watch you getting so worked up about nothing." She grinned over at Miley's father and stated for Miley's sanity, "We were just bouncing on the bed Mr S, Miley screams because I get a bit dangerous what with my flailing limbs and all."
Robbie Ray laughed, "I'm sure that's the real reason Lilly," and Miley cringed at the sound of mock belief in his voice, did he really think that she and Lilly were together? As if he could read her mind, Mr Stuart winked at his anxious daughter and said kindly, "Cool it Miles, there's no need to look so worried." He then seemed to remember why he had come to visit them and stood up before addressing his daughter. "But anyway, I came to tell you that we've got a meeting with the Wembley staff so you need to get dressed."
"Oh. Am I really needed though daddy?" Miley found it hard to keep the whine out of her voice as she began to feel very tired again.
Robbie Ray looked at his daughter sympathetically before replying, "You know Hannah needs to be on site for these things. It's important for you to go through the backstage tour so you get a first impression of where everything is and how it all works. Plus it's good for the staff to get to know who they're working with; it'll be good press for Hannah if they see that she's not a little diva."
"Yeah I know daddy. Just give me ten minutes and I'll be right with you." Miley left her comfortable seat next to Lilly and wandered through to the bedroom to replace her wig, find something suitable to wear and touch up her make-up.
Robbie Ray smiled at Lilly, "It's going to be pretty boring for you if you come along kiddo. Is there anything you'd rather do?"
Lilly pondered for a moment, as much as she would like to go along with Hannah and see backstage, she knew that she would have many more chances whilst her friend rehearsed during the week. "To be honest Mr S, I think I'm just going to chill out here, watch some British T.V. and maybe surprise Miley with the unpacking."
Robbie Ray raised his eyebrows in alarm, a trait that he and his daughter seemed to have in common when it came to dealing with Lilly, "You sure you can handle that bud?"
"Ha. Ha. Not a problem Mr S." Lilly stated and finished with a proud salute.
Eventually Miley came striding out of the bathroom, looking like she was ready to tackle anything although slightly paler than usual from lack of sleep. "Right then daddy, I'm ready. I've got my purse and cell phone in case you need anything Lil. Yours is able to work here too so just give me a ring and I'll be right there, my number's on the speed dial, it's number two."
"Thanks Miles."
"Do you think you'll need anything?" Miley was looking slightly worried at the prospect of leaving her best friend alone in the hotel room. She chewed her lip nervously as Lilly came towards her and put her hands on Miley's shoulders.
"I'll be just fine Miles, don't you worry about me. I'll still be here when you get back and the hotel will still be standing too if that's what you're worried about." Lilly smiled softly at Miley and watched as Miley opened her mouth to try to speak again before Lilly cut her off. "Seriously, you don't have to worry. I'm a big girl now! I'm just going to chill and maybe have a little nap." Lilly looked at the floor guiltily here, she knew her friend was probably even more exhausted than she was due to the amount of stress she was currently under but Miley merely chuckled gently.
"You can do whatever you want Lilly, god forbid I make you miserable by forcing you to stay awake all day waiting for me. Call room service, it's an all inclusive holiday for you, and get some lunch."
Miley quickly drew Lilly towards her for a short hug and braced herself as she tore herself away from the heavenly contact. She smiled at her friend as she backed towards the door after her father.
"Have fun Miles." Lilly said with a smile.
"You have fun too Lils, not too much fun though." Miley winked at her friend and gave her a short wave before shutting the door behind her.
Lilly sighed and swung her arms at her sides, she felt a sudden rush of relief at having the room to herself and knew that she should treasure this simple time that she would have spend alone. Before she could get distracted by anything else she wandered into the bedroom, settled herself in front of Miley's first enormous suitcase, and began to unpack.
It was late into the afternoon when Miley returned and as she closed the door shut behind her she released a heavy sigh of relief before pulling off the blonde wig and slipping off her, now rather uncomfortable, shoes. She wandered through to the bedroom to find her blonde companion and was rather shocked to see her wide awake on the bed, propped up by several cushions and apparently totally absorbed in an Australian soap opera. Miley cleared her throat causing Lilly to look round in alarm.
"Miley! How are you and did you have a good day?" Lilly's eyes lit up on sight of her friend who was now climbing on the bed to join her. Miley nestled her head into Lilly's shoulder and breathed deeply before wearily answering her questions.
"Hey you. Yeah my day was alright thanks. I now have a rough idea of the Arena and where everything seems to fit. I got a good look at the stage and my first dress rehearsal is booked in for Tuesday afternoon. The members of staff are all really nice and polite so it's going to be alright to work here I think." Miley paused for a moment to focus on what Lilly had tuned the television into. "Lilly, we're in London, so why are you watching a program that's based in Australia?"
"Hmm… I don't really know. I'm not actually watching it, it just seemed to have a catchy tune when the credits came on and nothing else seems to be on T.V. at this time of day." Lilly rested her head on top of Miley's at this point. "I'm glad you've had a good day though. I was hoping you would, but you must be really tired now?"
"I'm pretty shattered Lilly. How're you holding up?"
"Meh. I'm alright. When you left I set to work unpacking. And when I say unpacking, I mean unpacking. Miley, I pretty much unpacked everything, even things that didn't even need to be unpacked! Everything is stowed away in organized areas of my choice and I hope you'll approve." Lilly then set to informing Miley of her system and pointing to the different storage areas of the room whilst Miley's eyes widened pleasantly from shock.
"Hold up there Lilly," Miley had to interrupt, "you're saying that you, Little Miss Disorganised, unpacked everything?"
"Yep."
"And put it all in properly thought through, allocated places?"
"Yes."
"Even my underwear?"
"Yeah."
"Pervert." Miley laughed but the attempt was feeble with very little energy behind it.
"Hey!" Lilly said and lazily flopped a cushion over Miley's unsuspecting head.
"I can't believe you just did that!" Miley croaked feebly but made no attempt to fight back.
"I can't believe I sacrificed a good afternoon nap and my own sanity to unpack the mountains of clothes and endless piles of stuff for someone ungrateful enough to call me a pervert."
"Sorry Lilly." Miley replied sheepishly.
"Ah, I'm not bothered." Lilly happily stated before sliding lower down into the bed. "Oh, have you eaten by the way?"
"No, not yet. Do you want me to order something? We're not doing dinner tonight. Daddy promised we'd leave that till tomorrow. It's too tiring to eat here, there's too much hassle to go through to get ready. Last time I spent longer getting ready than I did at dinner."
Lilly chuckled empathetically to her friend's past conundrums. "Poor Smiley. Oh, and don't worry, I ordered a pizza to be made ready for when you came back in."
As if by the greatest coincidence the two girls heard a light knock on the door. Miley looked over at Lilly who merely shrugged her shoulders so Miley got up, wandered out into the main area and pulled her wig down over her hair once more. She opened the door and magically a smiling attendant lowered a piping hot pizza into her arms with all of her favourite toppings. Miley grinned and thanked the man before turning back towards the bedroom.
"Yay pizza." Lilly stated and with a great effort she managed to pull herself up into a seating position. Miley joined her on the bed where both girls, without the need for talking, both tucked into their heartening dinner. It did not take long for the meal to be consumed, Lilly eating her fair share of over half the pizza and Miley smiling as she pushed the last piece towards her friend. Miley slowly stood up and stretched before she reminded herself of Lilly's organized system and managed to slowly draw out a pair of pajamas for both of them. She wearily moved back over to the bed where she grabbed hold of one of Lilly's arms and tugged Lilly into a sitting and then standing position. Once this was achieved Miley led her weary friend into the bathroom where she stuck a toothbrush into Lilly's hand and made her get to work. All of these actions were achieved in companionable silence between the two young friends and it was with great relief when they found themselves snuggling up in the giant bed together.
Lilly released a long and very contagious yawn which Miley mimicked as they settled themselves into their regular sleeping positions in the bed. They were facing each other, barely one foot apart and smiling contentedly at one another in the grey light. The sun had not set yet, it was barely seven o'clock in the evening but long days were ahead of them and this day had been long enough already.
"Thanks for a great day Miles." Lilly muttered at her friend as she began to feel her eyes surrender to the pressing need for sleep.
"You're welcome Lilly. Thanks for sorting everything else back here, I was dreading doing it."
"S'alright. I knew you were and it's only a small thing I can do in return for this amazing holiday. Who else do we know can say that they stayed in the Ritz? Not that I can actually say that, of course. But still, it's a great feeling."
Miley smiled at her friend's sleepy reflections. "Thanks for being here with me Lils. It means so much to me." She yawned and knew that now her eyes were shut, she was not going to be able to open them again. "Sleep tight. Love ya."
"Love you too Miles."
The smile on Lilly's face gradually faded as she slowly drifted off to sleep whilst Miley held off the urge to let go for a minute longer. When she heard Lilly's breathing slow and lengthen, she quietly shuffled her body a precious few inches closer to her sleeping friend and smiled as she forgot the world.
So as you can see I've taken the girls into London without too much delay. I hope you all enjoyed it :) I'm really enjoying writing about the interaction between the girls and the people closest to them, which has come as a bit of a surprise because normally I'm not much of a fan of writing dialogues. I guess I'm just trying to inject some of my friends' hunour into it and making their conversations as realistic as possible. Until the next chapter!!