DISCLAIMER: totally Louise Rennison's characters (bar one). She takes full credit.

Hey! Thanks for such brillopads feedback! I'm glad that you're liking it so far. If you want a better description of this story then go to my profile (:

You won't get the next chapter till Thursday unfortunately. But I am on me hols so thats why :P (south of france.... tis vair VAIR hot!)

In the mean time check out my Harry Potter fic that will eventually be Hermione/Draco. It's on my profile: "Truth is Stranger than Fiction"

Surprises

Tuesday 15th September

Jas

12 days to the wedding. Not that I'm counting or anything. I just know it's 12 days. 12.

I think I'm ready. Everything is in order; the caterer, the outfits, the reception room. We're getting married in an old, local Church of course, even if we aren't that religious. We wanted a Church wedding. They reception is at this lodge place that doubles as a hotel – that's where the majority of the travelling guests are staying. I say majority because up until last Thursday it was going to be all.

When Rosie and Sven appeared on my doorstep I didn't know quite what to do. It's probably about two years since I've spoken to Rosie in person (we met up half way between our houses, she lives further down south these days) and about ten years since I've seen Sven. In the end I ran forward clumsily and hugged each of them individually. I didn't know why they were here together – the last I heard they had split up whilst living together over in Sven's country. But there they were, together, on mine and Tom's doorstep.

"Well don't you look like you've been flattened by an angry toad!" Rosie had said.

And then me, flustered beyond belief asked, "What kind of toad?"

After that rather poor introduction, or rather re-introduction (since we do already know each other) things got easier... and weirder. Rosie explained that yes, they were accompanying each other to the wedding but no, they were not in a relationship. And just when I thought I couldn't get any more confused Sven opened his mouth and nearly scared the inner owl out of me. A part of this was because he now has a well adjusted English accent, but I have to say most of it was down to the actual words.

"We're married." Yes, that's right. Those exact words. Married. But get this – they're not 'married married' as Rosie pointed out.

"What?" Was the only word I could form after trying to grasp this ridiculous news.

"Well Sven wanted to come and live in England permanently." Rosie said, "But was having trouble getting a visa. So I married him," She said with a shrug of the shoulders like it was an everyday thing; which I suppose it could be in Rosie and Sven land.

"How long for?" I asked.

"Six years."

"Crikey. Why didn't you tell me?"

Rosie grinned, "I wanted to surprise you." Right, of course you did.

She is crazy. Mental. Weird. They both are. "Well I see you haven't changed," I said. They looked at each other and smirked before turning back to me and shouting "HOOOOORN!" Right, of course.

Some people are just downright odd. I told this to Tom the next day when we were mushroom picking for my mum. He agreed.

So Sven and Rosie are staring with us until after the wedding. They don't mind staying in the same room either which is just as well because there isn't another one spare.

These last few days living with them have been bizarre though. Sven gets up at half 6 every morning so he can go for a run before he makes everyone breakfast. Breakfast! I shouldn't really complain because the food is nice but it's a tad odd isn't it? I'm getting freaked out by the Rosie/Sven situation the more I see them together. Rosie keeps trying to assure me that they're not together together and true they don't normally live in the same house but still... it's so weird. And Rosie really didn't help matters with what she said last night at tea.

"We're thinking of having a baby."

Me and Tom actually froze. Well, I froze; he proceeded to choke on his (beautifully cooked) piece of chicken. I helped hit him on the back to... well let him breathe again before I said what both of us were thinking. "Are you crazy?"

Rosie looked hurt for a second but shrugged it off easily enough.

"Well we have to make this marriage seem realistic."

Tom swallowed, "That's definitely realistic."

Georgia and Bryony came round at the weekend to see our new guests. I was a bit nervous before hand but now thinking about it I don't know why. I should have known that Rosie and Gee would act like they'd never been apart and get on like a house on fire. They were without a doubt the most stupidest- oh wait, I mean most outgoing members of the gang. And even Sven joined in when they decided to show Bryony one of our old Viking dances. I can't believe they still remember them. That is so them.

Well actually to tell a secret I knew it too but lied and kindly offered to keep Tom and Bry company.

Bryony had a great time that night – she can really let go when she wants to. Definitely Georgia's daughter. I also think she loved meeting Gee's friends – besides her bestie, me of course. She certainly soaked up the stories Sven told, though I have to say they were rather exaggerated. None of us said anything though so we let Bry believe what she wanted to. Then later on Rosie decided to teach Bryony more of our dances while the rest of us cleared up from tea. Well, me and Tom did. Gee and Sven seemed more interested in throwing plates to one another which, by the way, was not helpful in the slightest.

After a minute or so of silence (after I'd yelled at them to stop trying to break my new china) Gee perked up again to say "Cheer up Jassy. Just because Rosie has just replaced you as Aunty of the Year doesn't mean you have to take it out on us."

I scowled at her. She is talking rubbish. Again. "Don't be so petty." I told her but she just grinned and stuck her tongue out. So childish. Sometimes I can imagine Bryony being the adult in their relationship instead of the other way round.

I like entertaining. The weekend decided that for me. (Despite the plate throwing incident.) Once me and Tom are married I'd like to make friends with some married couples like ourselves. Rosie and Sven's twisted... thing does not count as a marriage. Or at least not a healthy one.

Maybe a couple from Tom's work. There's lots of nice, normal, sane people over at his conservation place. I met them all a few years ago at the annual Christmas party. Very nice, although a bit weird because the majority of them were older. Still, it was lovely to be around some mature people for a change. And that is in no way in offense to Gee or anything... obviously.

It's just older people have more life experience, so are obviously going to be more mature. Georgia's been living twenty odd years (twenty nine to be precise) as a fourteen year old so it's really no surprise she's the way she is.

I suppose everything has its advantages though. For instance Georgia is a writer for a teenage magazine. It's basically her job to sound self-involved, moany and immature and trust me, she pulls it off very, very well.

A lot of Tom's work friends are coming to the wedding with their respective partners so we'll get a chance to 'mingle' then. Tom speaks highly of them all. One guy was even going to be his best man at one stage, but in the end Tom decided on his brother, Robbie. Speaking of, I've not seen Robbie in a while. He's constantly moving around the country; drawn by wherever the music development is currently at his peak. He still plays and sings, but nowadays Robbie's main focus is helping new bands 'make it' and he helps set them up for their future.

I wonder if that's what he tried to do for Gee? I wonder...

Bryony

Surprises suck. Well actually that's not entirely true because normally I love surprises. But bad surprises, the ones that are more like nightmares as in the actual thing is completely un-thought of and when it comes its totally unexpected – those surprises suck.

I've been back at school a week now and like I predicted it's a complete waste of time. And as well as the work being pointless this year has suddenly turned unbearable.

Let me tell you what I did over the summer: I went to that famous tourist hot spot called 'my back garden' and sat in the lack of sunshine for six whole weeks. Now let me tell you what my best friend Callum was doing. And no, it doesn't involve contacting or seeing me. He went on holiday with his family to America like he does every year. His family is rich: very rich. Anyway after he came back from however many weeks away he didn't call or anything to let me know. Of course, normally I would not be bothered in the slightest by this. Callum may be my best (and only) friend but it's not as if we're inseparable or anything. I like my independence.

So when I didn't hear from him during the summer I didn't give it a second thought, except to maybe think he was staying for a longer time over the pond (he sometimes does that).

Back to school last Tuesday and I was ready to have a big catch up which was just about hte only thing I was looking forward to, even if the first day of school is possibly the only good day throughout the year (along with the last day and sport days). Everyone frets about their timetable and who they're in classes with. It's quite amusing to watch really.

But last Tuesday I wasn't amused. Why? Because it turned out Cal was home for the last two weeks of the holidays but instead of choosing to spend time with me he... found more interesting company.

I know that right now I sound completely over-run with jealously and to be honest, I am a bit. And it's so weird. I don't think I've ever been jealous before in my life. I just don't get jealous, it's not me. So this is really throwing me off course.

Let me explain more. Or rather let me share what Cal told me, the day after we returned to school. On the Tuesday he was way too hesitant (cough, chicken) to tell me. I guess because it's always been just the two of us. Three... that's a silly number. It's odd. All over.

While in America Callum's parents met some of their work friends and shock horror, it just so happened that they had a kid in the same year, at the same school. Fancy that? So instantly, as things go Callum and his 'new friend' were... forced (or so I like to think) to hang out together. It's the sort of thing Cal and me love to mock; stupid fantasy fairytale friendships where people instantly hit it off even though they know nothing about each other. (You may remember that the other day I said little introductions mean nothing. You have to spend time with people to know you like each other. Well I'm still sticking by this... even if I'm not true to my words myself.) Apparently the fairytale thing is exactly what happened, but this time it was real. And it involved Cal. My Cal.

His name is Nathan. Nathan. Straight away I knew I wouldn't like him (example of me ignoring my own words) because Nathan is an idiot's name... or a cocky arse. God, I'm turning into such a hypocrite these days. Like I said, normally I don't like to judge before getting to know a person. And usually I never do get to know anyone new so the judging never comes into play. But Nathan, I knew he was bad news, I just knew it. And this past week after actually having spent some time with him has proven me right. Or so I think.

For starters, I did already know who Nathan was (as he has been in my year for the past two years) but we've never had any classes together so I didn't know what he was like as a person. Although right now ignorance seems better than knowledge. (Again, me being a hypocrite: I don't think it's right for people to have such a strong opinion on something they know nothing about. Gee does this a lot and I always scold her for it.)

Nathan Lloyd-Barnet is his full name. Or "call me Nate" as he said to me. Ergh. His family are of a higher wealth than Cal (which is saying something) but Callum is still deemed as an 'acceptable' friend unlike me. Apparently my single parent status and low income isn't up to the mark when it comes to Nate's expectation list for people he could be associated with. He is spoilt and snooty and where I may have come to this decision partly on his looks, his personality was the concluding factor to my assumptions.

Looking back (after that long time I call one whole week) any relationship Cal hoped me and posh boy could have was doomed from the start. As soon as he introduced himself (that's the 'call me Nate' bit) I wanted to turn around and run home to have Gee shout "HOOORN!" at me as I entered the house. Much more appealing than "Oh, hello there," in my opinion. I know I don't exactly have a lot of friends (okay one) but I never thought of myself as someone who would refuse to friends with someone because of their differences to me. And maybe I wouldn't have if Nathan had treated me as equally as he does to everyone else. But the way he looks at me; I can't decided between whether it's a look of pity or disgust. Either way it hardly makes me feel warm and happy inside. In fact it makes me feel horrible and then I think horrible things about him for making me feel horrible inside and then I feel horrible about myself for turning into a horrible person.

Nathan Lloyd-Barnet has brought out the worst in me and no one even knows because I haven't told anyone that I find him rather repulsive. Cal has surprised me in being friends with such a... different person to himself. I mean yes, they are both well off but since when does that mean anything to who you are? Nate plays tennis and cricket in pearly white clothing that are probably washed every night. Cal plays rugby in the mud.

So yeah, Cal has surprised me firstly with his 'new friend' and his own choices I guess. And I've surprised myself; I've figured out I'm not the person I thought I was, or maybe the person I wanted to be. And realising this, that surprises me.

I went to see Libby (my Aunt) at the weekend. She is normally good with this sort of thing; well when I say 'this sort of thing' I mean feeling rather incompetent and lost. I told her all about Cal and Nathan and their special bond that seems rather inexistent to me. Then I told her about how I don't feel well because I'm feeling rather jealous although looking back I guess that was quite self-explanatory by the way I described Nathan;

"He's just a stuck up rich boy who only knows how to do rich things with his stupid black hair and dark eyes and-"

"Maybe we should talk about Cal," Libby said which is just as well because I felt like I was about to conjure up a Nathan doll and stab it one. She always knows when to calm me down. And how to which is also important I guess.

"Cal... well Cal is still... being Cal I guess," I said with a shrug, "But it's hard to talk to him with Nathan hanging around. I don't know why Cal just doesn't tell him to go away."

"Maybe Cal likes him. Maybe that's why you're so angry."

I frowned but I knew she was right. Damn. I walked over and collapsed onto the bed in an untidy fashion. Libby shifted so she was lying next to me.

"I don't want to be angry." I said so quietly I barely heard it myself.

"You don't have to be." Libby answered, "Just don't do anything you'll regret."

"Like punch Nathan?"

Libs laughed, "I was thinking more along the lines of upsetting Callum. Although that would probably do the trick." I joined in her laughter then before we both fell silent for a few minutes.

It was Libby that spoke next, "You know, me and Gee were lying in these exact same positions last week."

I turned my head to face her. "Really? Why?"

"We always seem to end up like this when something's bothering us."

I nodded, sensing that I shouldn't ask what it was about. I'm sure they would tell me if I needed to know.

"Are you looking forward to going to University?" I asked to change the subject, but then wished I hadn't as Libby's face crumbled momentarily.

"It's... I..." she stuttered before sighing deeply. "I'm hoping it'll surprise me."

I glanced at her, "In a good way I hope."

She looked at me. "Me too."

Surprises suck. I said it before and I'll say it again. During my first week back I've uncovered more surprises than I could care for. I didn't enjoy it.

I guess this is the reason I'm heading straight to find Gee as I walk home from yet another miserable day of playing 'third wheel' at school. I'm going to tell her that I found and read all her diaries. I don't want to lie and I'm not going to wait ages so she can be surprised later. That's not fair. Surprises suck.

Georgia

If my Vati gave me a quid for ever time I've been surprised I'd have a vair lot of quids I would. And Vati, he'd be vair vair quidless. Let me think of some examples...

When Mutti told me we were going to move to Kiwi-a-go-go land

When Mutti said we no longer have to move to Kiwi-a-go-go land

When Robbie told me he was moving to Kiwi-a-go-go land.

When Robbie came home from Kiwi-a-go-go land.

(What is it with this bloody country?!)

I'll move on...

When I got a job as a writer for a magazine

When Angus died (bless his furry, chaotic soul

When Libby grew up... normal instead of a raging lunatic

When I found out I was pregnant

I guess that one's pretty much the main one. Yupp. No matter how loopy I was at 16 I did not plan to have a baby. And it was rather unfortunate timing but hey ho, that's the life of Georgia Nicolson for you.

The best surprise was when Bry was born. Well probably a few minutes after all the pain and torture, that was a pretty good surprise. It was just amazing the feeling of holding her. She was mine, all mine. I knew then that whatever had happened previously, that was the right choice; she was totally the right thing.

Being a single-Mutti surprised me in that I wasn't a single-Mutti at all. Once me and Mutti moved back home (Blackpool is a lovely place go visit...) there were so many adults around me and Bryony that I wasn't left with much to do. Jas and Tom (when he came back from Hamburger-a-go-go land were constantly round – they may as well have moved in. Mutti and Vati, no surprise here, decided to butt in whenever they could. Although I guess most of it was to help out so that was alright at the time. I'll let them off.

It was a few years before I finally managed to convince Mutti to let me and Bry move out. She continued to sprout some crap about me not being mature or responsible enough. Well look at me now? Doing alright aren't I? Ha! I showed her... ish.

Even when we were alone in our own house we weren't alone though. Mutti and Vati were always "in the neighbourhood" and "just had to call in". Of course, my house is only 10 minutes from theirs so technically they are always "in the neighbourhood". I never really told them this though because they seemed to bring stuff round when they came. I.e. a pillow or extra cups. Quite useful. I felt like putting a notice on the door; "No admittance without pressies!" Who knows what I would have gotten?

Libby was useful for baby-sitting sometimes and Jas actually did move in for a bit. Just at the start to help us "get settled". Her words not mine. She soon scampered off back to her and Tom's house after a few biffs and midget gem bribes though.

Me and Bry were cool by ourselves for the most part – and when I say this I mean the fun part. That is my speciality if I say so myself and I do.

Besides all the other visitors, me and Bry were just me and Bry. I mean, I knew that one day she'd ask about her Vati, or at least I thought she would. But here we are, 13 years later and not once has she brought the "Vati" subject up. Not once. Jas seems to think its unhealthy. Once when she was round for tea (and by that I mean she was making tea) she started dropping hints to Bry (who was around 9). She was so trying to get Bry to ask about her Vait. I had to kick her in the shin to shut her up. Jas, not Bry.

When Bry does ask, and surely she will at some point, I want her to want to ask, not just because someone else is pressuring her into it. And I will tell her all she wants to know. This is what I told myself and its exactly what was running through my head earlier on when bry marched right up to me after school today to blurt out that she'd read my diaries. Now that was also a pretty big surprise.

Being the kind soul I am, I let Bry stomp around the room in a bit of a rant while she admitted to finding and reading my diaries. She was clearly panicked and worried about something. Did she think I would be angry? Am I angry about it? I just think I'm confused for now. When I was her age knowing anything from Mutti's past was cringe-worthy beyond the valley of cringeyness. But for Bry, I guess she liked knowing this stuff. But then again our relationship isn't exactly typical Mutti-daughter stuff. Even I know that. Not that I'm dim-witted or anything. Ish.

"I'm sorry, so sorry," Bry said in a vair rushed way, although she had stopped pacing now. "I know I should have told you but I started and then I couldn't stop you know? I just-"

"Ok time out." I said putting my hand over her mouth to shut her up. If she's not careful she'll turn into a rambling, ranting vole like Jas. And she likes nature and stuff. I shall have to keep her away from Jas' bad influences in future.

Now where was I before I so rudely interrupted myself? Ahh yes, calming Bry down.

"Why don't you sit down before you fall down on your botty?" I suggested. Bry paused for a moment before plonking herself down on the sofa.

"I read them all," she said.

I raised my eyebrows, "Yeah I got that."

I waited for it – waited for her to ask what happened next. Surely she realised that it wasn't long after those diaries that I became pregnant? She is a rather smart cookie after all.

I sighed and sat down next to her, "So, I guess you have a few questions?"

Bryony frowned at me, "Questions? I... I... are you not mad?"

Am I mad? "No." There's my answer. Why am I always the last one to know these things?!

"But I invaded your preivacy! If someone read my diary I'd-"

"You keep a diary?" I asked, vair intrigued now. I wonder where she hides it. Under her pillow? Or is that too obvious? Under the bed?

"That's not the point." Bry said waving her hand around. Is there a fly in the room or something?

Pause.

"So... you don't mind?" I shook my head, "And you'll answer questions?" I nodded again before she continued, "Ok... I think I have one."

I braced myself. Should I answer truthfully? Is it worth it? Will she care who her Vati is? Will it matter?

"Why is Libby so different to how she was when she was younger?"

"Well it's complicat- What?!" I stuttered. Did she seriously not just ask who her Vati is? Why the bloody hell not? Everybody else has been asking me about it since they knew I was pregnant! And I promised myself that Bry would be the first to know anything. If only she'd bloody ask.

"Libby," Bryony continued, snapping me out of my trance. "Why has she changed so much?"

"I...err... I..." bit more stuttering, "...well after I erm, got pregnant... I guess, well I know that the Olds went rather strict with her."

"What do you mean? Give examples."

"Ok," I began, "Well she wasn't really allowed to go out, like to friends' house or boys- especially not to boys' houses. They made it really difficult for her to make friends so she that's why she became really shy I guess."

Bryony frowned, "That's horrible." I nodded in agreement.

"Well then..." Bry started again, "... why weren't the Grands like that with me? I've had loads of freedom."

"Well duh, that's because you have the most awesome Mutti ever."

Bry laughed like a loon. A loon on loon tablets in fact.

"I put my foot down," I said in what I like to think was a serious-type voice although it just made Bry raise her eyebrows so I guess not.

"Ok so I may have a little bit, slightly yelled at Mutti and Vati. But it was only to tell them to butt out and let me make the rules and stuff. Sometimes they just needed reminding that you're my kid not theirs."

I looked to see Bryony with an amused smirk on her face. "You yelled at Gran?"

I nodded in a 'maturiostiy at all times' way. "The things I do for you right?"

She laughed again, "Right."

Tom

Life, for me, is an amount of time sectioned into various stages. Obviously the biggest is the year, which is split into months, then weeks and days respectively. Of course some people would choose to decipher further with hours and minutes too but days are fine for me.

Life is important; very important. And since days make up life I like to do something important each day. I guess this is what you could call me 'philosophy of life'. Something important, something helpful, encouraging, useful; whatever it is if it is life affirming I fit it in everyday.

My job obviously helps with my life values. Working for a conservation group enables me to constantly help the environment, animals and nature in general. In truth, I love my job and I'm happy to say it. Everything I'm doing is everything I've ever wanted to do. Just last week I was working on a new scheme in a forest. There's been a reported drop in numbers of badgers there so we went along to check out the area and hopefully make it habitable again so the badgers will return or re-populate. It's all good stuff.

But there is a downside, as I'm sure there is with the perk in everyone's life. I just consider myself one of those lucky people that can call their 'perk' their job and have it be such a big part of my life. But the downside is unfortunate because it's positive and negative all in one. Being a conservationist means I have to travel to the various conservation parks around the country. And trust me, they are all round the country. In fact, the nearest one is just short of an hour's drive away. But the actual travelling is not the bad point – far from it in that I like driving and travelling around the country. I think it opens my eyes to new ideas.

No, the hard part for me is being away from Jas. I miss her so much its un-real. It's hard on her aw well I know, and that's why I'm especially glad and so grateful that she has Georgia by her to keep her occupied. It's always a safe bet that Georgia will keep Jas' mind off things if anyone.

And there's Bryony. Jas loves that kid. We all do. There's something about her that no one can quite pin the point on. She's very bright for her age, but I guess that was bound to happen with so many people watching over and helping her from a very young age.

When I heard about Gee's pregnancy I was just as surprised as everyone, maybe even more. But along with the shock of surprise came something else... anxiety? Worry? Intrigue? And all of that wasn't really based around Georgia for the main part. No, for me those feelings were towards two of the people that I loved most in the world at that time; my best friend, Dave and my brother, Robbie.

When Robbie staggered into my room during the night fourteen years ago in March I knew something was wrong from the off. For one, Robbie does not stagger; he marches, walks or strolls. This Robbie seemed clumsy and unsure. It was almost as though he was drunk – which he wasn't after I discovered several tests later.

But his hair was oddly messy and he was doing was rocking back and forth on my bed, his head in his hands.

"I can't believe I just... oh my god... why did I let it... this is bad... but it felt..."

I went and sat down on the bed next to him though refrained from touching his shoulders for now. The only other time previous to this I had witness my brother this bad was when he was deciding whether to go to Kiwi-a-go-go land or not. And still, this was ten times worse.

"You erm, want to talk about it?" I offered.

Robbie shook his head so I stayed silent. But no sooner had he finished shaking his head that he spoke.

"I slept with Georgia."

No that, that surprised me.

Woop woop! what's going through all your heads now?! I hope that has added to the excitement!

And before I go... who is your fav character so far? I know at the moment they're kind of all in that non-moving state but when the wedding kicks in loads of different directions will flow for them all (:

horns out ;)