How very rude of me to not let you all know why I haven't updated in almost a month. My computer decided to up and die on me. (I didn't drop it down a flight of stairs or anything…) It took a bit of time for me to get a replacement, and even then I was lamenting the fact that I had lost a lot of information, including the twenty-something pages of this chapter and quite a few of the next one. Which, having to rewrite a chapter this long with absolutely nothing but vague memories of dialogue and shit? Not fun AT ALL. I felt very defeated and it took a while for me to be able to finally get back into the groove of writing. But now that I have a laptop again you'll be getting regular updates, if all you lovelies still want them? I'll promise to keep writing as long as you all want to keep reading :)

TROLL: You are wonderful, as ever, and not clingy at all. Please don't ever change? XX

ICRMP and bonggles: No apologies necessary. I loved reading your little exchange. I don't want to spoil anything, but all questions will be answered by the time this story is done :)

DNNHK and outasyn13: Hello :) this story is continuing, I just had some technical difficulties. Sorry about disappearing for a while there.


"Sure you don't need a hand with that?" The woman behind the bar asked with a laugh.

Naomi shook her head as she awkwardly picked up the three pints. "I think I can manage," She said with a smile as she slowly lifted the glasses.

"Alright. But if you spill," The woman rapped her knuckles on the bar top and Naomi looked up at her, "I'll pull you a couple new pints. No charge."

"Thanks." Naomi said sincerely with a smile as the woman winked at her. Naomi carefully straightened up, trying to keep her hands steady. She slowly turned around and shuffled across the small pub, glancing between the drinks and the tables around her, careful not to spill. Eventually she reached the booth in the corner and with a triumphant grin she placed the pints down on the table. She lifted two of them, placing one in front of Anna, to her left, and the other in front of Emily, to her right. She smiled as she slid into the seat next to Anna and pulled her own glass in front of her. She looked from Anna to Emily, who was frowning, and smiled. "So what were you talking about? Anything fun?"

Emily quickly lifted her pint and took a drink as Anna chuckled. "Emily here was telling me about Greece."

"Oh? Did she tell you about all the time she didn't spend in the sun?" Naomi teased as Emily rolled her eyes and put her glass back down.

"You'll never let that drop," Emily mumbled.

Anna smiled and took a sip of her lager. "I think it's admirable. I mean, sure the beaches are gorgeous, but you were there to study," She said to Emily, who just nodded in reply. "I mean, not everyone is as negligent and carefree with their schooling as you are, Nai."

Emily's eyes flickered to Naomi at the use of the nickname and then settled back onto Anna. Naomi rolled her eyes and playfully jabbed Anna with her elbow. "Yes, I'm such a slacker. It'll be a wonder if I ever finish my degree."

Anna laughed and Emily forced a smile. "So, Emily, are you planning on doing any more travel?" Anna asked as she took another sip of lager.

Emily shrugged, her fingers trailing across the condensation of her glass. "Dunno. I haven't really adjusted to being back yet, so-"

"Oh, you should," Anna said quickly. "If there's one thing I wish I had done when I was younger-"

"Because you're so old now," Naomi interrupted with a grin.

Anna smiled and ignored the interruption, "-it would have been to travel more."

Emily pushed her glass around on the small ring of water that had formed underneath of it. "Oh? Have you not been many places?"

Anna shrugged. "I mean, I've been all over the country, obviously, a couple places in Spain. I went to Italy when I was fifteen and that was bloody gorgeous. I backpacked through India with my girlfriend in the summer before university. She left me for a German bloke we met at the Nepalese border, though." Anna's face screwed up at the memory and Naomi laughed disbelievingly.

"Right, but you haven't traveled enough or anything."

"There's so much more to see." Anna shrugged and Emily watched her over the edge of her glass as she took a drink. "Won't get a chance now, with the shelter and all."

"But that's a great thing," Emily chirped up awkwardly. "I mean, the way Naoms tells it you're doing… incredible things." Naomi smiled with pride, glad that Emily and Anna both seemed to be making an effort to get along. She had been nervous about them meeting and she wasn't sure why. But everything seemed to be fine.

Anna gave Emily a small smile. "There's still a long way to go. We're only doing a little bit in a very tiny part of one country. There's a lot more that needs to be done. All over the world."

"Worldwide change," Naomi said with a grin.

"Hey," Anna chuckled, "a girl can dream, yeah?"

"Or just force your dreams off on other people," Naomi said slyly.

Anna laughed and leaned into Naomi. "I never forced a damn thing on you."

"No, not at all," Naomi said sarcastically. "Just my job and your presence in my life and let's not forget about that night with the Lambrini."

"Oh fuck," Anna cringed, "I'd forgotten about that."

"Yeah, I haven't. So don't say you've never forced anything on me," Naomi said bluntly.

"I really thought going for a swim would be a fun."

"Maybe not the best idea at two o'clock in the morning, though."

"I am sorry," Anna said with a tiny pout.

Naomi smirked. "I'm not sure if I believe you."

"I am, though," Anna grinned and leaned in, placing a light kiss on Naomi's lips.

"I'm going outside for a fag," Emily said quickly.

Naomi and Anna broke apart just as Emily was getting up from the table. She hurried away from the booth and Naomi turned in her seat to watch her leave the pub. "Shit," Anna said from beside her.

"What was that about?" Naomi asked, turning back around.

Anna gave her a disbelieving look. "Really?" Naomi shrugged and lifted her glass to take a drink. Anna sighed and leaned back into the cushion of the booth. "You should go check on her, she looked upset."

Naomi glanced over her shoulder and put her glass back down. "I'll be right back." Anna nodded, but Naomi didn't see it because her eyes were focused on Emily standing on the other side of the pub's windows. She pushed herself out of the booth and weaved through the tables until she reached the door. Then she pushed it open and stepped out onto the pavement.

Emily's head whipped towards Naomi and then she quickly turned away, raising her hand to her eyes and mumbling, "Fuck."

"Ems, are you all right?" Naomi asked as she raised a hand cautiously to the redhead's shoulder.

Emily shrugged her hand off. "I'm fine, Naomi. You should go back inside."

Naomi frowned as Emily took a small step away from her. "What's wrong?" Emily sighed and turned around. Naomi's eyebrows raced up her forehead. Emily looked to be on the verge of tears. Naomi stepped into her and wrapped her arms around Emily's shoulders. "Jesus, Ems, what's wrong?"

Emily sniffled and wriggled out of Naomi's arms. "Nothing, honestly."

Naomi raised her hands out to her side in a questioning stance. "You look like you're about to cry, so obviously you're not alright."

Emily shrugged and let out a sigh. "I… I don't think I can stay here."

"Okay," Naomi said slowly, "so come back inside and finish your pint. Or we can get you something stronger if you'd like?"

"No, I mean I can't stay here with you and Anna." Emily sounded exasperated.

Naomi frowned. "What do you mean? You've barely even talked to her."

Emily laughed humourlessly. "That's because she's been too busy snogging your fucking face off."

Naomi looked shocked and took a step back. "Ems… I want you two to get along. Just come back inside and try? For me?"

Emily swiped at her eyes with her fingertips and nodded. "Yeah. Of course. Sorry, everything's just been so different lately."

Naomi reached out to rub her arm. "It'll be alright, Ems. Might just take a bit of time to get used to being back, yeah?"

"Yeah," Emily said with a smile that didn't reach anywhere near her eyes. "Just a bit of time."

"So you'll come back inside?" Naomi asked with a cautious hope.

Emily nodded. "Of course I'll come back inside. If you like her so much she can't be all bad."

"I'm not sure if that was an insult or not," Naomi said with a chuckle.

Emily gave her a cheeky smile and slipped her hands into the pockets of her jeans. "I don't know either."

Naomi forced a smile and jerked her thumb toward the door. "You alright? Ready to go in and make nice?"

Emily rolled her eyes and instead of replying just walked past Naomi and went back inside. It was with a slight trepidation that Naomi followed after her.


"Well, that was more awkward than the time I accidentally dropped my Nan's heart medicine down my bra," Anna said as she and Naomi were heading back to her flat.

Naomi let out a shaky laugh. "It wasn't awkward."

Anna stopped walking and stared at Naomi, giving her a pointed look. Naomi raised her shoulders a bit and Anna tilted her head, her eyes clearly daring Naomi to disagree.

"Alright, maybe it was a bit," Naomi conceded. "I don't know what's gotten into her, though. Maybe she's still jetlagged or adjusting to living here again or something?"

Anna hummed in thought and moved her arm between them, taking Naomi's hand in her own. "She cares about you, ya know."

"I know. We're mates, we lived together for a long time. I care about her as well."

"No, I mean," Anna said hurriedly and then sighed. "I don't know. She just doesn't like me very much."

"Don't be silly," Naomi's voice rose about an octave and Anna laughed. Naomi cleared her throat and tried again. "Just because you didn't get off to the best start doesn't mean she doesn't like you."

"Effy doesn't really like me either, though," Anna pointed out.

Naomi scoffed. "No one thinks Effy likes them; that's just how she is."

"Ah," Anna smiled, "so that look she gets, like I'm the most boring bastard she's ever encountered-"

"Means she's listening intently and being polite enough not to interrupt," Naomi finished with a laugh.

"I think I prefer Panda's sort of listening."

"Where she does more excited talking than listening?"

"Exactly," Anna chuckled as they headed toward the tube station.


Naomi tried to get Emily to spend time with Anna again, but it was a futile fight. Emily had classes, or papers, or work, or if she suggested a different day, Naomi was busy organising for the fundraiser. Naomi wasn't sure if Emily was purposefully avoiding her, but she'd convince herself that no, Emily really was just busy. 'Scheduling conflicts' was how Emily had jokingly put it. But one day Panda had come home talking about how she and Emily had gone shopping and had a laugh together for most of the afternoon. And after that Naomi stopped trying so hard, figuring that if Emily wanted to see her, she could be the one to reach out.


"I still don't understand why you won't let us come." Cook stabbed a knife into the loaf of bread and Naomi shot him a nervous look before slowly sliding the cutting board away from him. "It's not like we can't behave ourselves. Ain't that right, Panda?"

"'Course it is," Panda agreed, dropping the spoon back into the pot on the stove. She held a bowl out to Cook, who took it and followed Naomi over to the table.

"It's a fundraiser, not a bloody piss up," Naomi started to protest.

Cook slid into his chair with a hurt look on his face. "Naomikins, we can be right posh."

"It's not just 'being posh', Cook." Naomi rolled her eyes as she placed the bread down on the table. "It's business," She said with distaste, sitting in her own chair, "and only a few of us are bringing people."

"So you can bring a guest, then." Panda placed two bowls on the table and pulled her chair up uncomfortably close to Naomi. She scooted herself closer to the table and Naomi pulled one of the bowls in front of her.

"No, it's only," Naomi sighed as Cook and Panda both turned expectant eyes to her. "Like husbands or wives or girlfriends and things. Not mates."

Cook scoffed and yanked the knife out of the loaf, cutting up the bread. "Easy. I'll be your charmin' husband and Pandapops can be your bang tidy mistress. Sorted."

"Thanks, Cookie," Panda grinned at the pseudo-compliment. He just shot her a wink in response and cut a few slices off.

Naomi sunk into her seat and folded her arms across her chest. "I don't know why you even want to go. It'll be as interesting as watching the grass grow."

"That's exactly why we should go." Panda grabbed a thick slice of bread and tore it apart, letting the pieces fall in her stew. "You'll be bored to bits without us," She said matter-of-factly.

"Unless there's someone else you're thinkin' of bringin' to keep you company?" Cook said slyly. When Naomi just sunk further into her chair, he grinned.

Panda practically jumped out of her seat. "Go on, then, who is it? Is it Anna?"

Cook shook his head and leaned forward, waving the knife as he talked. "Anna's already goin'. It'd be pointless to ask her. Unless our Naomi's gotten all gentlemanly and proper on us?"

Naomi rolled her eyes, straightened up and started eating as they continued to banter and guess about who she wanted to bring with her. The fact was that there was no one. She just really wasn't looking forward to the fundraiser at all. She'd been in a bit of a rut for several weeks. She understood why it was such an important event, but her mood was gradually and increasingly turning sour. She felt like all of her time was spent sorting out annoying details and trying to keep J.J. calm. She was stressed out about everything, and that combined with the fact it had been a week since she'd last gotten a text from Emily, she was starting to get pissy all the time.

Eventually the conversation moved on and Naomi joined in, assuring Cook that there was no way he would be able to go if he insisted on wearing a morris dancer's costume. He looked offended for a second, but quickly recovered and started listing other things he could wear that were just as 'classic'. Naomi allowed herself to get lost in their joking banter, feeling relaxed for the first time in what seemed like ages. Panda threw in a few suggestions as well, and once the idea of Cook in a ruff and codpiece came up, they were all in fits of laughter. Cook managed to have second and third helpings before Naomi decided that they should save something for when Effy came home and she swatted him back into his seat when he tried to go for fourths. They all started cleaning up and once dishes had been washed and the rest of the stew had been put into a container and then placed in the refrigerator, Cook suggested they all relax and have a little after-dinner treat. Naomi shook her head with a laugh as Panda skipped off and followed Cook down the hall.

She trailed after them into the lounge, where Cook was already sitting on the sofa, bent over the table and rolling a spliff. Panda plopped down on the floor and turned on the television as Naomi slid onto the sofa next to him. She watched the tv as Panda flipped through the channels, eventually settling on Wayne's World. Panda gave a noise of appreciation as she glanced over her shoulder at Naomi. "Garth's a right hunk, innhe?" Naomi and Cook had almost identical reactions of complete disinterest, which caused Panda to pout. "I hate bein' the only one in this house who likes making monkey with boys." Cook erupted into laughter and Naomi barely managed to stifle her own.

"Ah now Panda, don't be upset," Cook said through a chuckle. "How do ya think I feel, bein' in a house filled with beautiful women when none of 'em want my cock?" Naomi held back a smirk, but Panda seemed satisfied with the comparison and scooted back until she was leaning against the front of the sofa. Cook lifted the spliff, licked the paper and gave the end a final twist. He lit it and took a hit, holding the smoke in his lungs as he passed it to Naomi, who did the same before passing it to Panda.

Whatever Cook had rolled was good shit and before they had finished smoking it, they were well on their way to stoned. Panda ended up slumped against Naomi's legs, her mouth hung open as she stared blankly at the movie. Cook was bouncing in his seat, laughing far more than he should have. He was cackling, barely even able to breathe. "A sphincter says what!" Naomi rolled her eyes and pushed him away when he started punching her leg in excitement.

"Jesus, Cook," She said, fighting back a grin, "you've seen this movie a hundred times."

He gave a content sigh and folded his hands behind his head, sinking into the sofa. "Doesn't make it any less funny, Blondie."

Naomi was saved from his next bout of guffawing laughter by a beeping coming from the kitchen. "Shit, I think that's my phone," She said, trying to stand up without disturbing Panda too much. Panda looked up at her with glassy eyes and, when she realized what Naomi was trying to do, shifted so that her legs were free. "Thanks," Naomi breathed as she hurried out of the room. She went into the kitchen and followed the beeping to the table, where she found her phone buried under a half-read newspaper. She dug it out and flipped it open. She couldn't help the smile when she saw she had a message from Emily, and then bit it back as soon as she realised. Emily couldn't just ignore and avoid her and then try and act like nothing had been going on. She shot off a quick reply, managing to sneak in a little dig at Cook and then closed her phone and headed back to the lounge. She had just sat on the sofa when her phone beeped again.

"Who's that?" Cook asked with a grin as his eyes stayed glued to the television.

"Emily," Naomi replied, opening the message.

"Oh, Emsy! Invite her over!" Panda's head lolled back and she grinned up at Naomi.

"Yeah," Cook agreed, bumping Naomi's knee with his own. "I haven't seen her in forever."

"It has not been 'forever'," Naomi scoffed, and then leaned forward and tossed her phone on the table without replying.

"You not gonna invite her?" Cook asked with a hint of confusion. Naomi just shook her head. He rolled his eyes, pressed his shoulders back into the sofa and lifted his hips off the cushions. Naomi watched as he pulled his phone out of the pocket of his trousers.

"What are you doing?"

"Tellin' her your battery died and that she needs to get her fit arse over here pronto," He said casually.

Panda clapped enthusiastically, but Naomi rolled her eyes and sunk down into her seat.

A while later, Panda decided she wanted brownies. Cook declared that as the best idea anyone had ever had in the entire history of ideas and Wayne's World was completely forgotten.

Naomi hovered in front of the stove, staring at the pan where Cook's whole stash of weed was sautéing in butter. Panda was making a racket over by the table. "Is this flour or powdered sugar? The container isn't labeled."

"Taste it," Naomi said over her shoulder, still watching the pan.

Panda dipped a finger into the white powder and then licked it clean. Cook threw his head back and laughed as her face screwed up. "Definitely flour." Panda continued to carelessly throw ingredients into a mixing bowl, guessing at amounts, and Cook kept glancing between the two of them.

"Is it ready yet? Pull it off," He said, reaching for the handle of the pan.

Naomi smacked his hand away with a wooden spoon. "It needs more time, you twat." She pushed the weed around as the butter continued to boil.

"I want it to be done, though." Naomi giggled at the childish whine in his voice and then outright laughed as he jumped in excitement when she started pushing the weed to the edge of the pan. "Bowl, Pandapops! Bring the bowl!" Panda rushed across the kitchen with the mixing bowl in her hands. Naomi turned the burner off and tilted the pan, trying to get as much of the weed out of the butter as she could. Cook grinned as Naomi lifted the pan and turned to face Panda, who held the bowl out toward her.

"They'll still be some bits left in it," Naomi said as she started pouring the melted butter into the mix.

"Who gives a shit, babe," Cook grinned. Panda laughed as Naomi used the spoon to try and get all of the butter out of the pan. A loud knock came from the front door and they all froze, looking nervously at each other. A leftover instinct from childhood and the fear of being caught doing something bad by their parents. Cook nodded and darted away into the hall. "Emilio!" His cry was followed by a very girlish squeal and a second later Cook marched into the kitchen, Emily thrown bodily over his right shoulder.

"Put me the fuck down, Cook!" Emily demanded, the command lost in her laughter. Cook set her down next to Panda and ruffled her hair. Emily grinned and Naomi found herself smiling just as wide despite herself.

"We're baking," She pointed out, using the spoon to point into the mixing bowl.

"I can see that," Emily chuckled. She glanced into the bowl and then at the pan and her face lit up. "Oh, shit. I'm glad I came over."

Cook clapped her on the shoulder and laughed. "Us too, babe."

Panda took the spoon and started mixing everything together while Naomi dumped the used weed into the bin. Emily followed Cook over to the counter, where he hopped up and started kicking his heels against the cabinets underneath. "So Red, what ya been up to?"

She shrugged and watched as Naomi dug around in one of the cabinets for a baking tin. "Not much. Classes, work, trying to figure out how things are going with Shannon."

Cook raised his eyebrows and nudged her leg with his foot. She turned and looked at him. "Shannon? Have you got yourself a bird?" Cook sat up a bit straighter, his eyes growing wide with interest. "Is she fit?"

Emily laughed and slapped his leg playfully. "Yes, she's fit, but we aren't like, together, yet. Not officially."

Naomi dropped the tin on the floor and everyone looked at her. She bent down and quickly picked it back up. "You didn't tell me that," She said, looking at Emily.

Emily held her gaze and shrugged. "You and I haven't really talked lately. I told Panda."

"That's still something you should have told me." Naomi didn't mean to sound accusatory, but the way Emily's brows rose told her that's exactly how it came off.

"I didn't realise I had to check with you before I started seeing someone," She said coolly. "Anyway, I would have told you but you're practically attached at the fucking hip to Anna." No one missed the malicious edge to that statement or the way Emily said Anna's name as if it were a swear word or an insult.

"She's my fucking girlfriend, in case you've forgotten."

"Trust me, I haven't forgotten."

"Good, because I'm sure I'll be spending a lot more time with her," Naomi said. "And you can go be with Shannon." Cook let out a low whistle and Emily's jaw clenched. Naomi tried to avoid the topic further by quickly walking over to Panda and dropping the tin down on the table. She went to the cupboard and grabbed the baking parchment as Cook and Panda tried to save the conversation, but their voices faded into background noise. Naomi was upset and she could feel the pull of anger inside her. Emily hadn't told her that she was dating, or seeing, or whatever she was doing, someone. She aggressively ripped some parchment off the roll and shoved the box back into the cupboard. Why hadn't Emily told her? True, they hadn't really spoken recently, but still… She huffed over to the table and shoved the parchment into the rectangular tin, then grabbed the bowl from Panda and started pouring the mix. A tiny voice in the back of her mind reminded her that she had neglected to tell Emily things, as well. Like Anna. Maybe you've both just grown apart. That thought caused a strange pressure in her chest. She sighed and used the spoon to scrape the last of the batter out of the bowl. Thinking was quickly killing her buzz and as Panda took the tin and headed for the oven, Naomi placed the bowl on the table and sighed. "I'm going outside for a fag."

She left the kitchen, feeling all of their eyes on her back as she headed down the hall to grab her purse. She dug through its contents until her fingers found her pack of cigarettes. She pulled it out and opened the front door, stepping quickly into the warm night air. She closed the door behind her and dropped down onto the step, wasting no time in lighting a fag. She was honestly expecting someone to come out and try to talk to her, to find out if she was okay. She prepared what she would say, thought up a few different biting remarks, and tried to ignore the fact that she had no idea what was going on in her mind at that moment. She smoked in silence, trying to relax and get back the carefree, and quite stoned, feeling she had had just ten minutes ago.

She was still trying several minutes later when Effy turned onto the path, her own cigarette hanging loosely between her fingers. Naomi glanced up and scooted over a bit to allow Effy more room to get into the house. But Effy just slid her bag off her shoulder, turned around and gracefully dropped onto the step next to her. Naomi took a drag and turned her eyes back to the dark ground in front of her.

When it became apparent that Naomi wasn't going to say anything, Effy clicked her tongue and threw the butt of her fag toward the street. "Any particular reason you're sitting out here looking like a sad twat?"

Naomi shrugged and stubbed out her butt before sending it soaring after Effy's. She wasn't sure why Effy was interested. They were friends now, sure, but talking about things wasn't something they had ever done. Naomi couldn't understand why Effy suddenly wanted to change that. They both lit another cigarette and neither of them said anything for several minutes. Naomi felt Effy's eyes on her and when she finally turned to look, Effy's lips twitched up in a smirk. "You're usually a bit more enthusiastic when you're high."

Naomi rolled her eyes and looked away. "I'm not high."

"Hmm, you certainly smell like you are." Effy turned her head and let her eyes wander to the houses across the street. "Thinking too much?"

Naomi nodded and they each took a drag with mirrored motions. "The weed's just making everything," She exhaled a small cloud of smoke, "fucking jumbled."

"So stop forcing it," Effy said casually, her eyes fixed on the upstairs window of their neighbor's.

Naomi looked at her. "I'm not forcing anything."

"You are, though." Effy tilted her head in interest at what she was seeing. "Just let the high carry you. I think you'd be pleasantly surprised at where it takes you." She took a drag and used her cigarette to point to what she was looking at. "Mr. Turner goes away on business every other week." Naomi looked in confusion to where Effy was pointing. She squinted and made out the shape of two people in an embrace, silhouetted against the curtains in the window. "And whenever he does, not even twenty minutes after he's left, Mrs. Turner unlocks the door and a man in a blue car pulls up, gets out, and goes inside." Naomi looked at Effy, completely lost. Effy turned her eyes on Naomi's and that smirk was present in force. "She loves her husband; it's obvious when you see them together."

Naomi glanced at the window and then back to Effy. "And why are you telling me about the neighbor's adultery?"

Effy's smirk morphed into a grin. "It's all about want and need, Naomi, and figuring out the difference."

Naomi cocked an eyebrow and watched Effy slowly inhale the last drag from her cigarette. "That whole mysterious and all-knowing thing you do… it's all a sham, isn't it?"

Effy burst into laughter and chucked her butt. "I wonder myself sometimes." She stood up and grabbed her bag. "Come on, then. I expect Emily's worried sick about you."

Naomi pushed to her feet and was just turning to follow Effy inside when her brain processed what she had just heard. "Wait, how do you know Emily's here?"

Effy smirked as she opened the door. "Don't be too concerned. It's just a sham, right?"


Maya writes something down in her notes, and I can't tell if she's uninterested in what she's writing, or if she's upset.

"We'll never get to the sharks if you keep stopping," I say with a forced lightness in my voice.

Maya shrugs and drops her arms to her sides as her eyes rise to follow the sea turtle through the water. "We'll get to them eventually."

I step up behind her and run my fingers through her hair. "What's the matter? When we first got here you couldn't wait to see them."

"Nothing's the matter," She sighs. I drop my arm around her shoulders and she leans into my side.

"Really? Because it seems like something is bothering you."

"It's nothing. I was just thinking."

Uh-oh. "About what?"

"Just why you and my Mummy are getting a divorce." She leans forward a bit as the turtle swims behind a rock in the tank and she strains to keep an eye on him.

I squeeze her shoulder and she leans back against me. "We didn't do a very good job explaining it, did we?" It's not a question, and Maya doesn't answer. "I'll call her when we get home, and then maybe tomorrow when she picks you up, we can all talk about it?"

Maya nods and looks to the side as a large group starts heading toward us. We've been relatively lucky with avoiding the crowd, but it seems like that luck may be running out. Maya slips her pencil behind her ear and grabs my hand. "Penguins, and then sharks before we leave?"

"Sounds like a plan," I agree and let her lead me away from the sea turtles.


Naomi followed Effy into the kitchen, where Cook and Panda were bent over the tray, cutting the brownies into squares. Emily was standing next to them, staring at Naomi, who tried desperately not to make eye contact. Effy cocked an eyebrow as she stepped up beside Panda. "You made brownies?"

Cook glanced over at her and grinned. "Put my whole stash in 'em."

Effy's lips pulled up in a smirk and she took a bit as Panda offered it to her. "Sweet." Cook offered a square to Emily and Panda held one out to Naomi.

Naomi shook her head and folded her arms across her chest. "I think I'm just going to go to bed."

Cook looked at her like she had gone mental. "It's not even half nine yet."

"I have work early. There's still a lot to sort out with the event coming up so quickly," She shrugged. She fidgeted uncomfortably under Emily's gaze, which she could feel burning into her skin.

Panda frowned. "But what about-"

"Just eat your cake, Panda," Effy interrupted. "Cook, why don't you show us that game you never shut up about."

Cook glanced at Naomi, and then Emily, and then settled on looking at Effy. "Yeah. Panda, I think you'll like it. You get to play as a squirrel."

"Yeah, sounds whizzer," Panda said quickly as she and Cook headed out of the kitchen.

Naomi glared at Effy, who just winked and followed the others. She heard the door to the lounge shut and turned to face Emily. She didn't look at her though, instead her eyes settled near Emily's elbow. "It was good to see you, but I really shou-"

"Are you fucking serious?"

Naomi's eyes snapped up and she cowered inside at the dangerous look Emily was giving her. "Pardon?"

"Naoms," Emily took a step forward, "what's going on? You've hardly spoken to me for two weeks. I haven't even seen you since that fucking disaster in the pub."

"I've been busy at work," Naomi tried to justify, "and you've had classes. And apparently Shannon," She added in a quiet mumble.

Emily huffed and rolled her eyes. "Nice. Really fucking nice." She turned around, stepped back to the counter and put her brownie back in the tin. "You've been acting strange ever since I got back," Emily rounded on her and Naomi was expecting to see anger or rage or anything other than the uncertainty that was clear in Emily's eyes. "I know Anna and I don't get on, but… I mean… did I do something? Are you upset with me?"

Naomi shrugged uncomfortably. "It just feels like we aren't that close anymore. You didn't even tell me you were interested in someone."

Something steeled in Emily. "You didn't tell me about Anna. This is no different."

Naomi bit back a scream and rolled her eyes instead. "Why do you always bring her up? I fucking hated that cunt Allison, but at least I refrained from showing it in front of you."

Emily barked out a laugh. "Right, you were a perfect angel to her." Naomi couldn't form an argument in her defense, no matter how much she wished she could. Emily's eyes softened, just a bit and her shoulders jerked in a small shrug of defeat. "Did it ever even occur to you why you hated Allison so much?"

Naomi rubbed at her nose and then folded her arms. "I think it had something to do with her face. Or the fact that she, you know, existed."

Emily nodded her head in a way that clearly said 'Right, you're a twat and I'm leaving' and Naomi felt a strange tug in her chest. "Right, if you're just going to be a twat, then I'm going to leave," Emily said in a frustrated mutter.

"I'm not being a twat," Naomi tried to defend herself, but her brain wasn't working properly. Synapses were misfiring, or maybe the spliff had some sort of delayed, secondary reaction, she wasn't sure. But she knew she should be saying anything other than what was about to roll off her tongue. "I mean, you saw her face. It's alright, though, everyone has that one manky cock-up in their past that they don't like to talk about."

Emily threw her hands up. "I can't, Naoms. If you're going to be…" She sighed and stepped forward. "I came here hoping that you and I could talk and maybe sort some shit between us. Get back to how we used to be. But you're fucking blind and I can't do this anymore." Emily frowned and walked out of the kitchen.

Naomi heard her open the door to the lounge and say goodbye to the others, and then a minute later the front door opened and closed. Her eyes fell on the brownies and without thinking she walked forward, grabbed the tray and headed into the lounge. Effy, Panda and Cook were all on the sofa, looking at her as she entered the room and squeezed into the tiny space between Effy and Cook. She placed the tray on her lap and by the time she finally passed out several hours later, she had eaten almost half of them by herself.


"You have no bloody clue what you're doing, do you?"

"Just now or do you mean in general? Actually, it doesn't matter, because the answer's the same, regardless." Naomi groaned and continued her futile attempt at getting dressed.

Anna laughed and grabbed her by the shoulders, holding her still. "It's just a dress, Nai, and you shouldn't be having this much trouble with it."

"It's these fucking straps," She said, trying to shove her elbow through what she thought was meant for her shoulder.

Anna grabbed her arm and detangled it from the fabric. "That's for your head, babe." Naomi frowned. "I promise you, it is." Anna tugged the dress sideways until the loop was on the front of her body, instead of under her arm. Then she hoisted the fabric up and instructed Naomi to hold it in place. Naomi's eyes followed Anna's hands as they lifted the strap up and over her head. "Okay, let go." Naomi did and Anna set about adjusting the dress until it lay just right on Naomi's body. She stood up straight and surveyed Naomi. She gave a nod of approval and turned Naomi around until she was facing the full length mirror.

"Oh," Naomi breathed as she took in her appearance. The dress really did look good, once it had been put on properly. All bright cobalt and surprisingly form-fitting. Anna rested her hands on Naomi's hips and settled her chin on her shoulder, eyeing Naomi's reflection in the mirror.

"I can't believe you didn't realise this was where your tits went," She chuckled and lifted a hand to cup Naomi's right breast.

Naomi smacked her hand away with a smirk. "You just got this looking decent, don't muss it up."

Anna sighed dramatically and stepped back, removing her hands. "Fine. Spoil my fun." She grinned as Naomi turned around. She waited for the inevitable comeback, but it never came. Her brow furrowed and Naomi's eyes dropped to the floor. "Nai, you alright? I know you don't like dressing up, but it's a necessary evil tonight."

Naomi shook her head. "No, it's nothing. The dress is fine." She crossed Anna's bedroom and went into the en suite.

Anna frowned and followed her, settling her shoulder against the doorframe. Naomi started rummaging through the small bag she brought with her and pulled out eyeliner. "Is it Emily?" Naomi hesitated before lifting the pencil up to her eye and that was all the confirmation Anna needed. "It's been three weeks and you still haven't talked to her?"

"You know I haven't." Naomi started applying her makeup, making it clear that she didn't want to talk about it. "Panda's seen her and said she's been really busy with classes and work and her new girlfriend."

"Oh, I see. So you're being considerate of her schedule and relationship." Anna rolled her eyes and looked at Naomi's reflection. "You plan on talking to her any time soon? Because as fun as you've been lately," She trailed off with a grin as Naomi struggled not to roll her eyes.

"I've just been stressed about this stupid fucking night. Once it's over, I'll be fine and back to normal." Naomi caught Anna's eyes in the mirror and smirked. "And the first thing I plan on doing is burning this dress and then punishing you, thoroughly, for making me wear it."

"Oh, I do hope that's a promise," Anna sighed happily. "It's almost worth the loss of the dress."

"Almost?" Naomi grinned and started doing the liner on her left eye. "Once I'm done with you, you won't even remember what clothing is."

Anna chuckled and let her gaze roam freely over Naomi's body. "God, I love you," She said quietly.

"What?" Naomi jerked in surprise and the movement sent the tip of the pencil directly into her eye. "Oh fuck!"

"Jesus!" Anna shot forward and grabbed Naomi's hands. "Oh my god, have you blinded yourself?"

Naomi blinked rapidly and freed one of her hands as tears welled in her eye. She pressed the heel of her palm into her left eye and looked at Anna with her right. "What did you say?"

"I asked if you've gone blind," Anna said, trying to pull Naomi's hand away from her face.

Naomi swatted her arm away. "Before that."

Anna stood still and slowly let her hands fall to her sides. "I think I said something about the dress?"

Naomi shook her head. "After that."

"Um," Anna gave her a small, half-smile. "I may have said I love you."

"Did you mean it?" Naomi demanded, the pain in her eye momentarily forgotten.

Anna's smile grew a bit wider. A bit brighter. "Of course I meant it."

Naomi dropped her hand, suddenly overcome. No one had ever said that to her. Sure, Effy had loved her, but she wasn't the type to actually admit that sort of thing out loud. And there was always a tiny doubt in the back of Naomi's mind. In fact, with the exception of her mother and drunken declarations from Cook and Panda, she had never heard it before. From anyone. And certainly not in the way that Anna meant it. Her eyes filled with tears that had absolutely nothing to do with pain and she lunged forward, capturing Anna's mouth with her own and tangling her hands desperately in the older woman's hair.


"I was right," Maya says with certainty.

"About what?" She's tapping her leg with her notebook and I can only guess that it's because she's anxious for feeding time. A crowd has gathered in the penguin enclosure and parents keep glancing at their wristwatches to see how long they have to wait. I smile as Maya's head tilts from side to side to see around the boy in front of her.

"About Anna. And you confusing friendship for love."

"How can you be so sure?" I ask with a smile.

"Because you didn't say it back." She pushes up on her toes, trying to see better, but then settles back down. "When you love someone you tell them. And she told you, but you didn't say it back. You kissed her so you wouldn't have to lie."

"It wouldn't have been a lie," I start to argue.

"It wouldn't have been the truth. If you told her you loved her back, she would think you meant it in a way you didn't, and that's just as bad as telling a lie."

I roll my eyes and bend down to grab the notebook from her. She's gradually been hitting her leg harder and harder. She takes my hand instead and starts swinging our arms. "You alright?" I ask as I give her hand a little squeeze.

"Yeah, I just like it better when the aquarium isn't so full." She yanks on my hand and pulls me forward as two of the keepers steps out into the habitat. "Look, Mum!"

One of the keepers has a small bucket with her and the other has what looks like a scale and they stride across the ice to the edge of the penguins' little pool. One curious penguin waddles over and is rewarded with the first little herring. After a minute other penguins make their way over to the keepers, many of them having to climb out of the pool and back onto the ice. The keepers sit on one of the ice mounds and all the children pressed up against the glass start making sounds of adoration. I can't blame them, because the way the penguins are vying for the closest place to the food is absolutely adorable. They're flapping and waddling and I can understand completely why Maya is grinning like a loon at them.


The night of the fundraiser passed exactly how Naomi expected it would. The hall they had rented was nice, and the garden attached to it was beautiful, but a disproportionate number of the guests were more interested in looking charitable than actually learning about the cause they were donating to. There were a handful of people Anna introduced her to who were genuinely interested in the work they were doing, and then a fair amount of people who were taking advantage of the open bar to make new business contacts. Naomi had spoken and gone through three martinis while everyone applauded themselves for their generosity. Then Anna had given a short presentation, which involved a lot of thanking everyone for attending and their generous donations. Naomi understood how important the evening was for the shelter and for Anna, and she was trying her damnedest to be polite and charming, but the pointed falseness and polite, but feigned, interest of so many people there was grating on her. So when everyone was pissing about the garden while the tables inside were rearranged and set up for dinner, Naomi was at the outside bar, waiting to get another drink to help take a bit of the edge off the night.

"I've got something that'll be better than any of the top shelf shit they've got back there," A familiar voice said from behind her.

Naomi spun around with a smile. "Freddie, hey!" Naomi said as they shared a friendly hug. "How have you been?"

He shrugged and gave her a lopsided smile. Naomi couldn't help but think how much older he looked, although it was probably just the fancy suit he was wearing and the fact that his hair was a lot less messy than he used to always keep it. "I've been alright. Working and studying more than I ever thought I was capable of."

Naomi chuckled and nodded in agreement. "With how much you used to get stoned, it's a surprise to us all."

"What do you mean 'used to'?" Freddie laughed.

Naomi chuckled as he stepped up next to her and leaned against the bar. "So, Freds," Naomi grinned, "what brings you here on this wonderful evening?"

Freddie narrowed his eyes and gazed out to one of the benches in the corner of the garden. "See that man? Moustache, massive arms and an even bigger ego?" Naomi grinned. "He's a mate of my dad's, runs his own firm and is supporting me in my training and qualifications. Once word spread about one of the biggest firms in London doing pro bono work for your little organisation, every solicitor in the area wanted to see what the fuss was about. And Mr. Anders said one of the most important things I'd need to know was networking, so…" He trailed off with a shrug.

"Ah," Naomi breathed with a knowing look. "So here you are. Networking."

"Yup. Bored out of my mind and trying to figure out where I can go to smoke the spliff I brought with me."

"I know just the place," Naomi grinned, grabbing his arm and leading him away from the bar.

Twenty minutes and a quick bribe of the attendant later, they were both laughing madly, sitting on the floor in the corner of the cloakroom. Freddie kept trying to speak, but he could hardly get a word out before he'd start chuckling. And that set off Naomi's giggles, which just made them both laugh even harder. Eventually they settled down, both with content grins, and Freddie nudged her with his elbow. "Cook said you and Eff broke it off?"

"Yeah, ages ago," Naomi said as she nodded her head. "You know how Effy is. If she ever settles down with someone, I'll eat my fucking hat."

"What about Emily?" He asked.

Naomi shrugged as her head lolled back into a large trench coat. "What about her?"

He shrugged and stretched his legs out in front of him. "What's she up to? Are you two, like…?" He made a strange gesture with his hands and Naomi's eyes almost popped out of her head.

"What? Like together?"

"Yeah, you two were always really close."

"No," Naomi said emphatically. "We're just friends. Not even that, lately."

Freddie's brow creased. "Why not?"

"I dunno. I just don't know how to be around her anymore. We haven't even talked for weeks."

Freddie watched her for a minute and then got to his feet, entirely too smoothly. "Right, which bag is yours?"

"What?" Naomi asked, eyeing him strangely.

"Your bag. Your purse. Which one?" Naomi pointed to the opposite corner and with two steps, Freddie had taken it down off the shelf. He held it in the crook of his arm and dug around until he found what he was looking for, and then he put it back in its place. He plopped down on the floor next to her again and held out her mobile. "Call her." Naomi looked from Freddie to the phone and then back. "If you don't, I will."

Naomi narrowed her eyes. "You wouldn't."

Freddie cocked a brow and Naomi watched, in slight horror, as he started pressing buttons. Naomi heard the distinct sound of the beeping as the call went through and then Freddie was shoving the phone up against her ear.

"Hey, it's Emily-"

"Jesus, shit, Ems-"

"-I can't answer my phone, but leave a message and I'll call you back."

"Oh, thank fuck," Naomi sighed in relief, not hearing the beep of the message being recorded.

"What?" Freddie asked eagerly.

"It went to voicemail."

"Are you going to leave a message?"

"No, I don't think that's a good idea. She doesn't want to hear from me. I wouldn't even know what to say to her. Like, how do you tell someone that you're a fucking tosser and miss them?"

"I think you do it just like that," Freddie said, his voice cracking slightly as he pointed to the still lit up screen.

Naomi yelled out a swear and flipped her phone closed, holding it away from her body as if it were a bomb that might explode. She turned her head slowly and met Freddie's eyes. His shoulders were shaking with the effort of not laughing, and after a beat they both erupted.

It was about another ten minutes before they decided that they should venture back out, and Naomi was actually sad to be leaving their little self-imposed bubble of peace. But she knew that her absence would eventually be noticed, and she could only take so much time away from an event that she had a heavy hand in organising. Freddie straightened her hair as she smoothed out his suit, and once they had both approved of the other's appearance, Freddie held his elbow out to her with a huge smile. "May I escort you to your table?"

"I would be delighted." Naomi grinned, looped her arm through his and they headed back to the main hall, where the last stragglers were taking their seats at the dining tables. Freddie brought Naomi to her table, gave her a wink and a quick peck on the cheek and told her that they needed to catch up more often before heading off to his own table. Naomi smiled at Anna, who was giving her an inquisitive look from the seat next to her. "I was just catching up with an old friend," Naomi said quietly, scooting her chair closer to the table.

"And a handsome one, at that," Anna said with a smirk.

Naomi laughed and kicked Anna's foot under the table. "Keep your eyes on your girlfriend, please."

Anna smiled and ran her fingertips down the exposed skin on Naomi's arm. She leaned in close and whispered in Naomi's ear, "I couldn't look at anyone else even if I wanted to."

Naomi smiled and felt the start of a blush on her cheeks as Anna's hand settled on her thigh. But she couldn't stop thinking about what Freddie had said in the cloakroom. She and Emily together. Together? It was absurd. But it did set her thinking. She missed Emily. Naomi had missed her for the entire time she was in Greece, and Emily felt just as far away now as she did then, which was ridiculous. The more she thought about it, the more she wanted to just pluck up the courage and get over whatever was going on in her mind that was putting distance between them. She could do it. She could reconnect with Emily and be best friends again. She could fucking try, at the very least. And as she started drinking the glass of wine in front of her, she was determined to do just that.


Naomi was woken up late the next morning by her phone ringing. She removed her arm from around Anna's waist and rolled over, groping blindly on her nightstand. When her fingers finally closed around the loud object, she picked it up and cracked one eye open. The tiny screen was flashing 'EMILY'. She sat up straight in her bed and flipped her phone open. She glanced to Anna's sleeping form next to her and threw the covers back as she climbed out of bed. She pressed the answer button as she opened her door and slipped out into the hallway. "Hello?" She asked hesitantly.

"So imagine my surprise when I checked my phone and heard your message."

Naomi cringed at the obvious humour in Emily's voice. "Sorry about that. Freddie got me a bit stoned last night. I don't really remember what I said?"

"Don't worry, it wasn't anything too bad." There was a moment of silence and then Emily said quietly, "I was just glad to hear from you finally."

Naomi caught her bottom lip between her teeth and leaned against the wall. "Yeah, I'm sorry about that, as well. I've been a bit of a twat to you, haven't I?"

She could hear the shrug in Emily's voice when she responded. "I haven't been much better."

Naomi couldn't help but grin. "Emily, don't steal my thunder. Just accept my apology for being such a prick."

Emily laughed and Naomi's heart fluttered. "Fine. Apology accepted, you tit." Naomi smiled to herself and they fell into silence, which was broken by Emily's voice, much quieter than it had been just a minute ago. "I got a call the other day. From Katie."

Naomi frowned. "Katie as in your sister?"

"No, as in Katie fucking Price. Yes, my sister," Emily chuckled.

"Oh," Naomi said with a smile. "What did she want?"

"She wants me to come home. My mum wants me to go back to Bristol. Just for a visit, but…" Emily trailed off.

Naomi bit her bottom lip. They hadn't ever talked about Emily's family much. Naomi had asked, but Emily always brushed it off. Said that they were disappointed in her, couldn't accept her 'lifestyle' and such. She treated the subject with an alarming casualty, but Naomi could always see in Emily's eyes that it bothered her a great deal more than she ever let on. So it was a big deal, any of them getting in touch with her. "Are you going to go?"

"I dunno. It's… weird. It'll be weird, you know?"

Naomi laughed nervously. "Just a bit." There was an awkward silence and Naomi tugged at the bottom of her large pyjama shirt. She knew how she would have handled this situation if it had happened a year ago. When they were still close. Now, she wasn't sure. Fuck it, she thought, bracing herself. Emily called me. She wanted to talk to me. We can still be close, if I'd just stop being such a cunt and get over myself. So fuck it. "Mum's been wanting me to visit for ages. She calls me all the time to try and guilt me into a trip out," She said slowly.

"They want me to come this weekend."

"Funny, that. I was actually planning on going then, as well."

"Maybe… maybe I'll see you on the train?" Emily asked hesitantly.

"Maybe you'll see me in the seat right next to you," Naomi replied with a grin.

"Oh, thank fuck," Emily sighed with relief. "I've been a proper mess."

"You'll be fine, Ems," Naomi said, leaning her head back against the wall. "We can talk about it on the train out."

"Thanks, Naoms."

"Of course," Naomi said with a huge smile. "I have to go, though. I'm still half pissed from last night and now I have to call my mum and let her know I'm coming for a visit."

"Alright. I'll get the tickets and call you later with the details?"

"Sounds good."

"Okay. Bye."

"Bye, Ems."

Naomi ended the call and then scrolled through her contacts until she reached her mother's name. She pressed the call button and lifted the phone back up to her ear, the biggest smile spreading across her lips.


I didn't know how nervous I was about posting this chapter until just now lol I hope it was alright and not too shit after such a long wait? At least the next one will finally have some KFF and Gina, making a triumphant return after far too long of an absence.