All Summer Long
Chapter 3: A Change Would Do You Good
Thanks so much for all the reviews again! :) I will get around to doing individual thank yous soon but I figured you'd probably rather have the chapter sooner than wait for me to reply!
Don't know if all the Huxon fangirls know, but it looks like we might be getting a happy ending after all. If you haven't seen it yet, you've gotta watch the Lisa Maxwell video on the TB website!
Hope you enjoy this chapter. As always, reviews are loved. Xx
The driver climbed out of the bus and helped everyone to load their luggage in and they squeezed inside, glad that the journey to the airport wouldn't take long. At the airport, Neil and Gina took charge of the group organising the checking in and leading everyone through to the departure lounge. Most of them were still half asleep and bought cups of coffee because, despite the rising temperature outside, the air conditioning made it almost cold inside. They sat around in the lounge waiting for their flight to be called.
Sam was surprised to find herself sitting next to Stuart's new girlfriend.
"Hi, Sam." Libby said politely. The two of them had met briefly before and Sam had found herself a little envious of the delicately pretty brunette despite the fact she had never really loved Stuart and was quite relieved that they had gone their separate ways.
"Hey, Libby." Sam replied. "Are you looking forward to this holiday?" She asked, feeling a little awkward.
"Yes, very much. It's a little weird though because the only person I really know is Stuart."
Sam felt genuinely sorry for her, realising how brave it was for her to agree to this trip. "We're not a bad bunch, you'll fit in well." She smiled encouragingly.
"Thanks, Sam." Libby smiled gratefully. Stuart came to sit by her side, bringing the conversation between the two women to a rapid close.
Their flight was called about ten minutes later and they made their way towards the boarding gate. Millie Brown, who had been hovering near where Jo and Diane were talking, sidled up beside Jo and whispered to her.
"I have a confession to make," She began, feeling a blush building. "I really hate flying."
"That's okay." Jo replied kindly. "Lots of people are afraid of flying, it's not a big deal. It's not a long flight either." She assured the younger woman.
"Thanks, Jo." Millie smiled, wondering how long it would take before Jo realised that she was interested in her in far more than a professional capacity. Just when she had given up, for now, she was surprised to find Jo sliding into a side beside her. She looked away and smiled, maybe the older woman wasn't so clueless after all.
"Did you pack your bikini?" Dale Smith asked Kerry, who simply glared at him in response. "Can I take the stony silence as a yes?"
"Or a hint that I don't want to talk to you." Kerry shot back, wanting to enjoy this holiday, not fight with Smithy. There was no way she was going to let him ruin this fortnight for her.
"Point taken." He said, completely serious now. The silence between them was palpable and, although she didn't want to, Kerry felt she had to break it.
"Sorry for snapping," She said, barely able to look at him. "Flying makes me nervous." She lied.
"It's okay, I'm sorry too. What I said was out of line." He said, genuinely.
"Friends?" Kerry extended her hand to him and he shook it. He nodded, but he wanted so much more than that. Hopefully this holiday would give him a chance to show her that.
They landed a few hours later, passing through customs on their way out of the air conditioned airport. They were all surprised at how hot it was outside of the cool airport. A coach was waiting to take them to the airport to take them to the holiday resort. The brochure had promised several restaurants, clubs, cafés and bars, as well as a sauna, gym and Jacuzzi. It was also only a short walk away from the nearest beach. If it was as good as it sounded, the group were sure they would going to really enjoy this break.
"Wow," Honey exclaimed, the first to step off the coach and take in the view of the resort. She stared wide eyed at the complex. "I don't think two weeks are going to be long enough!"
Andrea followed her off the coach, thinking how wonderful two weeks here with Neil were going to be.
They went straight to their rooms, dumping their luggage and leaving the unpacking until later. In small groups of pairs they prowled the resort complex, loving it more with every moment. They all met up again a while later to make a plan for the rest of the day.
"I think we should go to the beach." Callum suggested.
"Only 'cause you want to see us girls in our bikinis!" Diane retorted.
Callum shrugged in reply but didn't deny it either.
"Alright!" Gina called, trying to establish some order. "Do whatever you like, we'll meet back here for dinner at seven." She pointed to the restaurant behind them.
Everyone mumbled their agreement before heading off to their hotel rooms to prepare for the beach.
"Are you okay?" Diane asked Nikki when they returned to the room they were sharing. Nikki nodded her reply but said nothing. Diane was instantly worried about her and went to sit on the edge of her bed. "Are you missing Doug and the kids?" She asked gently.
Nikki's eyes were filled with tears. "I'm just missing the kids yes, but Doug; Doug and I are over. He told me if I came on this trip, our marriage was over."
"Why did you come then?" Diane asked, concern giving way to intrigue.
"I'm a grown woman Di, he can't treat me like a teenager." The tears had faded a little now, and Nikki's eyes shone with determination instead.
"I'm really sorry about all of this Nikki, just relax and have a good time. You deserve it."
"Thanks Di," Nikki smiled, placing her hand on the younger woman's arm and feeling surprise at the electricity she experienced. "We'd better finish getting ready, I think Callum will burst if he doesn't see you in a bikini soon."
Diane laughed before heading into the ensuite bathroom to change. Minutes ago she would have willing changed in the bedroom with Nikki there, the two of them were friends, but after learning of Doug's ultimatum, Diane suddenly felt awkward around her.
"Someone pinch me, I think I'm in heaven." Callum said to Nate, Dan, Phil and Smithy.
"I didn't realise we worked with such babes until they start losing the clothes." Nate agreed, trying not to let his eyes drift to Sam's end of the beach too often.
"Did we decide on Kerry or Honey in the end?" Dan asked, and Phil raised his eyebrows not having been privy to the earlier conversation.
"Kerry." Dale said without hesitation, feeling four pairs of eyes turn to focus on him. "What?" he asked defensively.
"You know what," Callum said, scanning the beach once more. "I think Zain's girlfriend wins this one." The men turned to look at where Zain and Kayla were walking hand in hand along the water's edge.
"It's too hot," Jo moaned, shifting her position again. She was not a woman who really enjoyed the heat. "I'm going for a swim, anyone else coming?" She asked, looking across to where Sam, Andrea and Nikki were lead out sunbathing.
"I'll join you," A voice said from behind and Jo turned around to find herself face to face with Millie Brown. "If that's okay." She smiled coyly, twirling her long ponytail around her fingers.
"Great." Jo smiled and the two of them made their way towards the sea together.
"Do you think Jo will ever notice that Millie blatantly bats for the other team and has had a thing for Jo since day one?" Sam asked, reaching for more sun lotion.
Nikki stayed quiet, the moment between her and Diane in the hotel room kept replaying in her mind. Andrea wholeheartedly agreed though.
After a few hours on the beach, they returned back to the hotel to dress and shower for dinner.
"I plan to get gloriously drunk tonight!" Sam announced to her roommate, Kerry.
"Really?" She replied in surprised, wondering what else there was about Sam she didn't know. "I mean, me too, but there's nothing new there."
Sam smiled. "There's a lot you don't know about me, Kerry Young."
Kerry grinned back, wondering if these two weeks would lead to a friendship she had never expected.
