'Do you think we should wake him now?' I hear Mia ask someone. 'He might want to at least get dressed before dinner.'

''I don't know Mia, I think he needs to sleep. Christian might be cross with us if we wake him up.' Hannah says.

'I'm awake.' I say as I open my eyes. I find Hannah is sat next to me on the double sun lounger.

'How are you feeling?' Hannah asks with genuine concern.

'Good, still a bit tired.' I say. I look around but can't see my brothers.

'Elliot and Christian have gone to shower and dress for dinner.' Mia says. 'Hannah and I went earlier but they've only just come up from the beach.'

'Do you want to see some funny photos I took? They were trying to skim board but kept losing their balance. In the end they gave up and did paddle boarding followed by jet skiing. I came to get showered and sit with you but apparently they went back to skim boarding because they wanted plenty of practice before you had a go because they said you would be better than them.' Hannah says.

'Sure, let me see. I'm a bit gutted that I couldn't join in.' I say. I take the camera from her and look at the photos, I'm soon smiling when I see Elliot and Christian falling all over the place. 'They're great Hannah. You've got some good shots of them on the jet ski and paddleboard as well. Did you consider doing photography with art next year?'

'No, but it helps if you have a decent camera. Yours is really good.' Hannah says.

'Present from Christian.' I say almost apologetically. 'You can use it though if you want to do photography.'

'Thanks, I might look at it as an extra option.' She says.

'Matt, are you going to shower and dress for dinner?' Mia asks.

'Do I need to?' I say. Both Hannah and Mia just look at me. 'I take it that's a yes.' They both nod so I stand to go up to the bedroom. Wandering into the house I climb the stairs and find myself lying on Elliot's bed.

'What are you doing in here little bro?' Elliot asks as he comes out of the bathroom.

'Hi Elliot, can I use your shower while you get dressed?' I ask and then continue to explain. 'Hannah and Mia are downstairs on the terrace still finding things to chat about and Christian will think something is wrong but it isn't, it's just that….'

'Hey, it's fine Matt. You don't need to explain. You'd feel more comfortable if someone was near you.' Elliot says. I nod. 'Go on, hurry up and please don't take forever. I could do with a beer after trying to master skim boarding.' I laugh at him as I go into his bathroom.

'Jeez Elliot, what have you been doing in here. There's stuff everywhere.' I shout out to him.

'Stop complaining, you can always go and ask Christian to use his.' Elliot shouts back.

'No thanks.' I shout.

'What are you shouting for Elliot?' I hear Christian ask. I quickly head into the shower before I hear Elliot's reply. As I finish I wrap a towel round my waist and enter the bedroom. Christian is sat on the bed waiting for me but as I look around warily Elliot is nowhere to be seen.

'Why didn't you come to my room to shower?' Christian asks in a low voice staring at me with his cool gray eyes.

'I thought you might get angry.' I stutter.

'Why? Because you're worried about being in the bathroom on your own in case something happens. Matt no, I'm pleased that you're thinking like this at the moment.' He says.

'Really. I thought you might think something was wrong, but it isn't. I was just being cautious. I'm scared of something happening at the moment, especially after this morning when I woke and felt the worst I've ever felt.' I say before adding. 'I need to go and get some clean clothes to get dressed.'

'I'll come with you.' He says.

'Thanks.' I say with a smile. 'I'll probably be OK in a couple of days and forget that I felt like this.'

'At least you're being careful now.' Christian says.

'I know but I feel awkward asking someone to wait for me whilst I shower.' I say.

'Matt no-one minds.' He says as I drag a t-shirt over my head before dropping the towel and putting on boxer shorts and jeans. Christian just shakes his head at me. I smirk at him. 'Did you do that on purpose?'

'Of course.' I say and he playfully swipes my arm. I react immediately by playfully doing a kickboxing move on him. He blocks me and then frowns. 'Sorry, it was automatic.' I add.

'No worries.' He says and smiles at me. Not the reaction I was expecting but I'll go with it. 'Come on lets head downstairs. Elliot will be a beer ahead of me by now.' As we're heading down the hallway Elliot meets us with two beers and he hands one to Christian.

'Sorry Matt, I know you can't have one. Do you want me to get you something else?' Elliot asks.

'No I'm fine thanks. Come and look in this room though.' I say.

'We were never allowed in here.' Christian says just before we enter. 'Now I know why.' He says with a smile.

'Cool Matt, your own balls room.' Elliot says.

'I remember dad and your daddy used to disappear in here most evenings for an hour. I thought they were working but they must have come to escape you Matt.' Christian says smirking at me.

'Was I that bad?' I ask.

'Just full on hyper mode all day long. Always wanting to be in the pool. I don't recall you sleeping much.' Christian says.

'I'm making up for it now.' I mutter.

'We've got fifteen minutes before dinner, have we got time for a quick game?' Elliot asks. Christian and I grin at him and I go and get the balls from the cupboard. After setting them up I watch as Christian breaks and then look nervously at Elliot. He grins at me.

'Bloody hell Christian, have you been practising?' Elliot asks.

'Well I've played Ana a few times and she's good and I suppose I have practised a bit because I didn't want her to beat me.' Christian admits with a smirk. He lines up to take his next shot just as his blackberry vibrates on the table where he left it next to his beer. It's Ana so I pick it up before he can get to it.

'Hey Ana.' I say and smile at Christian cheekily. He glares at me through narrow eyes.

'Hi Matt, are you feeling any better?' Ana asks.

'I'm great thanks. Did Christian tell you I was ill so that he could have a boys night away?' I ask.

'Matt.' Christian warns in a low voice.

'Yes, he said someone needed to be with you.' Ana says innocently.

'I'm sorry Ana I was teasing. I was very ill but am feeling much better thank you. Your future husband is just showing us how good he is at pool now that he has been practising because he doesn't want you to beat him.' I say. Ana giggles. 'Ah Christian's favourite sound I better let him listen to you before he goes thermonuclear with me. Take care Ana, see you soon.'

'And you Matt.' Ana says and giggles once more as I hand Christian the phone.

'Anastasia.' Christian says and proceeds to make his way out of the balls room. Elliot and I look at each other and smile. 'Anastasia.' We both say together and burst out laughing.

'Rack them up again Matt, we'll have a quick game before dinner as Christian is now otherwise engaged.' Elliot says and I do as I'm told.

'I appreciate you coming to see me Elliot.' I say.

'No worries. I was curious to see the house again as well. I'll make do with one night this time as I can't take any more time away from work but I can't wait for your autumn break at school so we can all come together.' Elliot says as he breaks and pots two balls.

'Even you're on form tonight, perhaps I'd better be practising all week. I might even buy a pool table for the house at Bellevue so I can play when I get home.' I say.

'Matt, there's already one there.' Elliot says.

'I've not seen it.' I mutter, thinking to myself how I've been in every room.

'Well it used to be in the loft conversion above the garage. Have you been up there?' Elliot asks.

'No, I've only been in the garage a couple of times and didn't realise there was an upstairs.' I say.

'Oh you're in for a surprise then.' Elliot says with a smirk.

'Why?' I ask.

'Matt, think about the size. The garage is huge so therefore the conversion is huge as well. You could probably live there quite happily. There's the room with the pool table and from what I remember there was a room with a TV for me and Christian to play video games on. A gym and a few other rooms though I'm not sure what else was in them.' Elliot says as he pots the final ball.

'Well played, let's go and find the girls. I'll have to check out the garage properly when I get home.' I say.

'I wonder how long Christian will be on the phone to Anastasia for.' Elliot asks.

'I don't know, do you reckon he'll just switch off with her like he does with everyone else when he thinks the conversation has ended.' I say as we emerge on the terrace.

'Probably, I can't see him changing, ever.' Elliot says and I laugh.

'You're happy again.' Hannah says as I sit down next to her and take her hand before kissing her cheek.

'I'm always happy.' I say and she just looks at me. 'I am. It's the tiredness that makes me grumpy.'

'Mrs Richards has extended the table so that we can eat on the terrace tonight.' Mia says

'Do you know what's for dinner Mia?' I ask.

'Yes.' Mia says and stands to move to the table. 'Where's Christian?'

'On the phone to 'Anastasia'' I say and Mia give me one of her looks raising her eyebrows at me. I look at Elliot and we burst out laughing.

'What's so funny.' Christian asks as he sits in between me and Elliot, Hannah is on my other side and next to Mia.

'Nothing.' I mutter quietly. 'How's Ana?'

'Fine.' He says through narrow eyes looking first at me and then Elliot. I gulp and look worriedly at Elliot. Christian turns back to me once more and Elliot sticks his tongue out but I widen my eyes in alarm. 'Matthew.' Is all Christian needs to say and I know I'm going to have to confess.

'I'm sorry Christian but I was being rude and copying how you say 'Anastasia.' Mia raised her eyebrows at me and so Elliot and I were laughing at her.' I say and put my head down so that I don't have to look at him. The silence is deafening to my ears. I look at him once more and repeat 'I'm sorry.'

'Jeez Christian, say something. Matt has said he's sorry and you're torturing him with your silence.' Elliot says. I look at Elliot gratefully. Hannah takes my hand in hers and squeezes it gently. Mrs Richards appears with dinner and the tension is broken as everyone helps themselves. Shit, I look at it and don't know whether I'll be able to eat. Everyone has a plate full and they're waiting for me. I put some vegetables on my plate and Christian raises his eyebrows.

'Matt, it's cod.' Mia says. 'Would you prefer something else?'

'No, I'm not that hungry.' I say and I hear Christian suck in his breath.

'Please try some.' Hannah says quietly to me. I put a small piece on my plate to keep her happy. Everyone starts and I eat my vegetables. Elliot and Christian are discussing their plans for tomorrow including what time they will leave.

'Matt, be tough. Last night you were so relaxed and different.' Mia says to me. I look at Christian and then back to Mia. She smiles at me and then says silently 'This is my house….' I grin at her and start to eat the fish.

'So Mrs Photographer, are you planning on taking lots more shots tomorrow?' I say to Hannah.

'Yes, I'd like to get some of you with Christian and Elliot whilst you're surfing and I'd also like to get some of the four of you together as well, maybe walking on the beach or in the pool.' Hannah says.

'That would be good. Mia, maybe we should just print lots of photos and put them in an album for mom.' I say.

'Would you be happier with that?' Mia asks.

'Yes.' I say.

'OK, we'll do that. There's already lots of good shots from today and we can add to it all week. There's plenty already of Elliot and Christian and if we get lots tomorrow then it won't matter that they're only here a couple of days. Are you two happy with that?' Mia asks Elliot and Christian.

'Happy with what?' Elliot asks.

'There's too many good photos to choose from for mom so Hannah is going to take some more tomorrow and we're going to put them in an album, we'll add to it all week and bring it home with us.' Mia tells them.

'I'm happy with whatever you decide.' Elliot says in his usual easy going manner. Christian looks at me.

'You're happier with this idea.' He says. I nod. 'OK, we'll do an album.'

'Thanks.' I say. Mrs Richards is on her way out to clear the plates. I stand automatically to help her.

'Matt, sit down. Hannah and I will help Mrs Richards.' Mia says.

'Was everything OK?' Mrs Richards ask. Everyone says yes and comments how lovely it was. 'Matthew, what about you?'

'I wasn't hungry Mrs Richards but thank you, what I had was lovely.' I say

'Would you prefer something else?' she enquires.

'No honestly, I'm fine.' I say. Hannah and Mia stand to help her and as the three of them walk to the kitchen chatting happily I'm left with my two brothers. I take a drink of water as Elliot and Christian finish their beer.

'Talk to each other.' Elliot says. I gulp and look away towards the pool so I don't have to look at either of them. 'Christian, sort it out. We've come all this way for one night and we don't need anyone to feel uncomfortable. Matt meant no harm earlier. He was just being his usual cheeky self but you took it the wrong way. We were both laughing about the way you said 'Anastasia' when you left the balls room.'

'I'm sorry Matt.' Christian says and put a hand on my shoulder. 'I shouldn't have over-reacted.'

'I'm sorry too.' I say.

'Right let's get back to the evening. So what are we going to do tonight and don't say monopoly Matt. There is no-way I'm playing that all night.' Elliot says.

'Does everyone really dislike playing it that much?' I ask.

'No, but we'd rather do something else tonight.' Christian says.

We could go for a walk on the beach.' I suggest.

'Yes that's a good start.' Elliot says.

'You could take Mia to a club.' I say.

'No, I'd rather play monopoly.' Elliot says and laughs. Christian and I join him as the girls come back to the table with dessert.

'You three are happy again.' Mia says. We smile at her. 'Does that mean you will actually eat some dessert Matt?'

'Of course. l'll try a bit of everything, topped with ice cream.' I say with a grin.

'You didn't eat because of me.' Christian says. I look at him and nod. 'I upset you.'

'Yes but it's over now, let's have dessert.' I say. I help myself to apple pie, strawberry gateau and ice cream.

'Matt, will you eat all that?' Hannah asks.

'Yes, I'm hungry.' I say as I take my first mouthful.

'But you hardly ate any dinner.' She says. I shrug, I hardly ever eat when I'm upset with something. I've been like this for as long as I can remember. Once I'm happy again then I eat plenty to make up for it.

'We're going for a walk on the beach later. Shall we take the camera?' I ask her to change the subject.

'Sure. Are you allowed to do that?' she asks.

'It's only a walk so yes I'll be OK and we won't be going far.' I say. Hannah starts to talk to Mia again and I join in with Christian and Elliot.

'Christian, when we come home I'll be around for about a week before we go to London. Can I come back to work?' I ask.

'Are you serious?' he asks. I nod slowly, wondering what he's thinking. Finally he continues .' Ok, only so I can keep my eye on you so that you don't do too much. I don't want you in the office before ten and you can leave by two and we will have lunch together if I'm around otherwise I will have it delivered to your desk.'

'Over protective.' I say cautiously. Elliot smirks at me. 'I could come and help you Elliot for the rest of the day.' Elliot almost chokes on his drink and Christian growls at me.

'That's the deal, take it or leave it.' Christian says.

'OK, I'll take it.' I say. 'Are you nearly finished, I'm full of energy again and want to go to the beach.' Christian and Elliot look at each other and smile and then look at me.

'You never stop. I don't know how Hannah puts up with you?' Elliot says.

'It's easy.' Hannah says 'I love him'

'Ahhh, how sweet.' Elliot teases.

'Thanks Hannah. I love you too.' I say and kiss her cheek. 'Ignore Elliot, he's jealous because Kate's not here and Christian will be jealous because Ana's not here and….'

'That's enough little bro, don't start on one of your lists, we could be here all night and you want to get to the beach.' Elliot says and stands. 'Come on, what are you waiting for?' We all stand now and the good mood continues as we all chat and jostle each other as we walk past the pool and down the steps to the vast empty beach.