Miranda – We're All Going On A Spanish Holiday

Chapter 4

EVENING – AT THE VILLA

They have all been out for Paella and lots of Sangria and arrive back at the villa feeling rather tipsy. Penny goes to bed. The others stay up chatting amicably and then Tilly suggests a game of 'spin the bottle'.

Tilly – "Come on! It's fun! A tremendulant game to play on holibobs!"

Mathéo – "I'm game! Spin it Tilly!"

Tilly spins the bottle…it lands on Mathéo. She spins it again…it lands on Rose!

Rose – "Ooh, it's me first! You don't mind do you Gary?"

Without waiting for Gary's reply, Rose throws herself at Mathéo with great eagerness. Gary is peeved and quietly leaves, unnoticed, for a walk.

Tilly spins the bottle again, this time ensuring with the aid of her foot, that she gets to kiss Mathéo. Next, the bottle lands on Miranda who gets rather flustered in case it next lands on Gary, and then notices, with some relief, that he isn't there. The bottle lands on Mike however, and the two of them share a slightly awkward and very short kiss. Mathéo decides to make it a triple…

Mathéo – "Oh, that's not very passionate! You want to get a firm hold and really go for it Mike! Here, let me show you…"

Mathéo pushes Mike aside and before Miranda realises what is happening, Mathéo is kissing her very enthusiastically! Mike is astonished and annoyed. As soon as Mathéo lets Miranda go he grabs her hand and marches her outside for a talk.

BY THE POOL

Mike – "Miranda – what the hell is going on?"

Miranda – "It's not my fault! He's had too much to drink, that's all!"

Mike – "You didn't exactly push him off!"

Miranda – "I was taken unawares; I was as surprised as you were. Oh come on Mike, it was just a game, he kissed Tilly and Rose too!"

Mike – "I think you could have stopped him! Perhaps you prefer being mauled by that pretty boy than kissing your own boyfriend!"

Miranda – "Mike, don't say that, of course kissing a virtual stranger is going to be different, after all, I know what it's going to be like when you kiss me."

Mike – "Oh really – and what's that?"

Miranda – "Well, you know erm…nice. Very nice. And soft, gentle…nice."

Mike is suddenly deflated.

Mike – "Nice? Perhaps we should have a proper talk in the morning, I'm going in. Are you coming?"

Miranda – "No, I think I'll get some air first, I'll see you later."

Mike stalks back to the villa. Miranda wanders around the pool. She bumps into Gary who is sitting on a sun bed in the dark, drinking a bottle of beer.

Gary – "Hi."

Miranda – "Hi."

Miranda sits down next to him.

Gary – "Sorry, I couldn't help overhearing. So you kissed Mathéo too?"

Miranda – "Oh. Well, it could have been worse."

Gary – "How?"

Miranda – "Well, I think Mike would have been far more annoyed if it had been you."

Gary looks questioningly at Miranda, but she doesn't say any more. He suddenly wishes that it was just the two of them on holiday; no Rose, no Mike; just Miranda and him.

Miranda feels a mosquito biting her and she lurches sideways, the sun bed skids towards the pool and Gary is thrown in head first with an almighty splash.

Miranda – "Oh my goodness! Gary, are you ok? Gary, where are you? Have you drowned?"

Gary suddenly surfaces and pulls Miranda into the pool with him. She screams as she lands with a splash. Laughing and soaking wet, they both climb out and walk back to the villa.

BACK AT THE VILLA

When Miranda and Gary get back to the villa, all is quiet. Everyone else has gone to bed.

Gary – (whispers) "Get into something warm and let's go back to the sun beds.

Miranda – "Why?"

Gary – "Do you fancy staying up until dawn and seeing the sun rise?"

Miranda – "Ooh, I've never ever done that before!"

Gary – "I'll make us a picnic – go on – hurry up!"