The supermarket was a revelation to Edward who had never set foot in one before. He was ruing the decision not to ask for money before his trip as he walked the aisles and spotted all manner of delicious and very forbidden delicacies he'd quite like to try. Denied sweets as a child he liked the look of almost all of them barring, the aniseed flavoured treats. He began to hope that Emmett could pull off not just the alcoholic achievement of the moonshine process but also the money making end of the project as well.
He browsed the snack food aisle with interest too. Pretzels looked interesting as did the varying flavours of crisps available but what really caught his eye was the popcorn. Coloured sugar filled packs lined the shelf and seemed to call to him. The salty variety made his mouth water and the buttered versions made him want to fall to his knees and worship the brightly coloured packages.
He'd only ever been to a cinema once, when he'd been fourteen and he'd been allowed to attend for educational purposes. A Shakespeare adaption had been required viewing for his English class and he'd been charmed by the entire experience within seconds of arriving at the theatre. The darkened auditorium had been wonderful, the movie itself spectacular but the popcorn had been sublime. He'd gorged on it and had charmed another half bucket out of the girls sitting in the row behind his simply by batting his eyelashes at them. The stomach ache he'd had that night had been totally worth it and as he stood staring at the packets of microwave corn now he could almost taste their salty goodness on his tongue all over again.
"Good call," Em said loudly with a clap to his back as he reached for a package. "There's a microwave in the cabin and this stuff is good for midnight munchies," he added as he threw in another packet for good measure.
Edward hadn't even heard his roommate approach but he was pleased that he'd thought popcorn was a good purchase. Unable to contribute monetarily Edward was grateful for whatever treat he was going to be allowed to share.
Asking Edward to take control of the trolley –Edward assumed that was what he knew as a cart – Em skipped down the aisles and threw in all manner of things while Edward pushed. Sodas and crisps joined crackers and huge blocks of chocolate.
When they came to the baking aisle Emmett threw two giant bags of sugar into the cart along with what looked to Edward like molasses, but bore a label stating it was syrup. He added a big bag of ordinary salt into the cart and then moved on down the aisle again.
"Do you care whether we make rum or cider?" Emmett asked as he held up a package of yeast.
"I've never had either," Edward admitted. "What's easiest?"
"Rum," Em grinned and threw the package into the cart. "Cider takes longer and we'd need a shitload of apples," he said matter of factly before beckoning Edward to follow into the next aisle.
They walked right through the next aisle adding just one thing, a candy thermometer, but when they got to the last aisle, the hardware one, the cart filled up fast.
Emmett added a stove top kettle, three plastic thermos flasks, a basic plumbing repair kit and what looked like pipe joining clamps. He threw in two of the biggest glass jars he could lay his hands on and a long thin tube of silicone calking. He stood in front of the camping accessories for quite a while and eventually, after reading the backs of several packages, added a small single burner camping stove and a box of three butane canisters to the cart.
To Edward it looked as though he knew what he was looking for. Had he known his roommate better he'd know to ask questions, but he didn't, and so he continued to think that Emmett was not only interesting but highly intelligent.
"That's all we can get in here," Em announced and the two boys made their way to the checking counters. The total was enormous and Edward felt bad that he had nothing in his wallet other than his ID.
With it packed into plastic carry bags they loaded it all into the cart once again and then pushed it down the street towards the liquor store. Edward waited outside because had no money and no idea what he'd buy even if he did. When Em came out he had a cardboard box of bottles balanced on one shoulder and a carrier bag with clinking bottles in his other hand. He dumped both into the cart and then nodded down the street towards the pharmacy. "Next stop tubular heaven," he chuckled as Edward pushed the now very heavy cart along the pavement.
Once again Emmett went into the store and Edward stayed outside to guard their loot. He was back in just five minutes with a small coil of clear plastic tubing in his hand and a cheeky grin on his lips. "One more stop," he announced as he nodded even further up the street.
This time he ducked into a house, not a store. He was inside for just two minutes before coming back out with another coil wrapped around his arm, this time it was copper.
He dumped that into the cart and then withdrew a cell phone from his jeans pocket and made a hasty call. Five minutes later the two boys loaded everything into a taxi and were headed back to camp.
Edward was confused but impressed, Emmett was eager for a smoke, a drink and to have his roommate flopping around on the ground drunk for the very first time. Life was good for Emmett McCarty.
Arriving back at her cabin with an overloaded brain and a fluttering heart filled with newfound hope Bella upturned her carryon bag onto her bed and located her purse. Pulling the wad of notes from it she fanned them out and looked down at them with a grin. She had three thousand Australian dollars and she was quite possibly allowed to spend it on whatever she chose. A quick mental calculation and she had it separated into twelve equal piles each of two hundred and fifty dollars. She had twelve weeks at camp and she could spend one pile each week. She didn't need to buy food or drink, she had enough toiletries to last at least half her stay and all the amenities at the camp were prepaid.
If what Rose said was true, and Bella wasn't at all sure just yet, then her time was going to be her own. At least for a few days at the outset. She didn't know what reason the director would have to lie about that, but with the absence of a therapy centre and nothing in what she'd read in the folder pointing to the camp being anything other than what it appeared to be she had to work fast if she was going to get away with even a little bit of what she had planned.
She had no doubt that her mother's need and ability to control every nuance of her life would stretch as far away as Australia, so that might mean she'd only have one or two days to achieve her meagre goals before Renee's tentacles strangled her once more.
Reaching for the information folder she'd been given the day before she tipped its contents out too and found the local business list. There was a taxi company listed who would collect her from the front gate and deliver her back again in good order and she couldn't imagine that the eight kilometre each way trip was likely to cost too much.
She located her date planner and her pen and began to make notes about which of the businesses she wanted to visit and the days and times they were open. First stop was going to need to be the hairdresser and after that the supermarket and then the liquor store. That would more than likely eat up her allotted money for the week but the excitement she felt about that one simple trip far outweighed her need to be frugal with her allowance.
She'd need to go further afield to buy clothes but she could always research the distance between towns once she had a better idea how much the first taxi trip cost.
She pulled the handset to the camp's provided phone into her lap and dialled the hairdressing salon. She made an appointment for the following afternoon and then dialled the taxi service. She booked a car for midday and wrote the reference number she'd been given in her planner.
Happy with her little plan she tucked everything back into her carryon bag and stowed it back in the lockable cabinet beside her bed.
Ignoring the cell phone charger adaptor Rose had given her she made herself a cup of coffee and did as Edward had done during the night. She took the cup outside and settled into one of the chairs under the awning, quite pleased with her plan.
When Angela came back from her gym session she nodded towards Bella's coffee and said she'd join her once she'd had a quick shower. True to her word she came outside cup in hand, fifteen minutes later with wet hair and a grin from ear to ear.
"It's gorgeous here isn't it," she said as she took the seat opposite Bella.
"It sure is," Bella agreed, looking down towards the flat expanse of bright green grass that spread out to the side of the cabins. "Good workout?" she asked.
"Excellent," Angela grinned. "Sorry I slept so long this morning, jetlag doesn't agree with me."
Bella began to giggle. "I actually snuck out at about three," she admitted. "But I wish I'd woken you up to come too."
"Oh, really?" Ange asked with raised eyebrows. "Where did you end up then?"
"Next door," Bella said with a toss of her head towards cabin number two. "The two guys from breakfast this morning were sitting on their porch smoking. It was a lot of fun."
Ange cringed at the idea of the smoking but the guys from breakfast seemed nice so she was disappointed to have missed the fun. "Don't let me sleep through the next party," she giggled as she sipped her drink. "What did you get up to while I was at the gym?" she asked.
"I went to see Rosalie for a little bit and since then I've just been sitting here in the sun," Bella told her.
"She seemed nice," Ange said of their director and Bella agreed that she was. Silence hung between them for a few moments and then Ange decided that if Bella was going to be her roommate for the next three months she'd better get to know her a bit, especially if they were going to be attending middle of the night parties together. "How come you're here?" she asked cautiously. "I mean, you seem very together."
Bella almost choked on her mouthful of coffee but recovered quickly. "I'm so not together," she giggled. Thinking back to what Rose had said she told Ange that she was there to experience life, make some friends and to have a little fun before she went home to get married.
Ange nodded that she understood the explanation and when Bella asked her why she was there her face fell just a little before she told her own story.
Angela Weber, Bella learned, was the over achieving oldest daughter of a Pastor and a housewife. Obsessed with good grades, anti social and so focused on her goal of having a perfect body and mind she'd flipped out under the pressure of finals during her second last year at college. She'd only ever wanted to be a journalist and during her time away at university she'd fallen in with a group of girls who prided themselves on upholding perfect grades while maintaining a punishing exercise regime. Desperate to feel included, and to feel accepted, Ange had pushed herself so hard she'd worn out both her mind and her body.
Her stay at camp was supposed to be a rest. She was expected to go home heavier, less drawn and with a clear mind ready to re-sit her finals.
Bella wondered if Ange spending all morning at the gym was a good idea but didn't like to ask. The other girl was desperately thin and she could see why her parents, and probably her doctors too, thought she'd benefit from fattening up a little.
She was about to suggest they go down to the dining hall for lunch when she heard her name being called. Turning towards the cabin next door she saw Em and Ed struggling under the weight of their purchases.
Rushing down the path both girls helped to bring everything from the taxi into cabin number two. Most of what came out of the car made no sense to either girl, but they both looked longingly at the chocolate and the crisps.
Noticing their interest Em suggests they all go to lunch, take an afternoon nap and then meet back in the dining hall for dinner before a well earned drink and dessert in cabin two. Both girls eagerly agree to the plan.
Eight thousand miles away on the west coast of America two families were desperate for news from their children.
Esme Cullen had called her sons cell phone every fifteen minutes for six hours before giving up and calling the camp itself.
Renee Swan had been a little more reserved, though not by much. She'd called every half hour before resorting to calling the reception number.
Both women were told the same thing by Rosalie Hale, Director. Yes their children had arrived safely. Yes the flights had been on time. Yes they'd eaten and slept and no, she didn't know where they were right then. Informing both women that it was midday in Australia she guessed at their son and daughters whereabouts when their mothers insisted, and told them they were safe and sound in the dining hall eating a very healthy, well balanced meal. She had no way to know if that were true, but she knew how to deal with difficult parents.
She listened as attentively as she could, all the while rolling her eyes, when the mothers had complained about being unable to reach the cell phones of their respective children. She explained, twice, once to each of the mothers, how difficult it was to get a cell phone signal on top of a mountain and that even if you could find one the connection was sometimes dodgy. And then she spent five minutes explaining what dodgy meant.
She hung up from the second enquiry and sighed heavily as she sat back in her office chair. She wasn't surprised that Bella had had a break down after speaking with her mother for a second time, the first being the day the booking had been made. She had no clue what Edward had come to camp for, but she could guess. Esme Cullen was rude and argumentative and far too invested in the whereabouts of her son for it to be healthy. The horrible woman had gone so far as to enquire whether or not the man's bowels had evacuated correctly after such a long flight!
Checking the sign in/out register at the front desk Rose returned to her office and made some discreet enquiries in town. A little shopping had been conducted by the two men, the women hadn't left camp.
It was her job to make sure that her guests were having a good time. It was also her job to make sure that the locals weren't being bothered by her guests. She'd recognised the 'trouble' Emmett McCarty had exuded and if any trouble was being indulged in with her newest group of visitors he'd be at the helm of the ship. She'd seen his type a hundred times.
Interestingly nobody had called to check on his welfare.
Mary Alice and Jasper Whitlock sipped their wine and ate their perfect post roast at their perfectly polished dining table in their immaculate dining room. Jasper told his wife about his day and Mary Alice hung on every fascinating word, as she should.
"Any word from Down Under?" Jasper asked as he folded his napkin at the end of the meal.
"Mother says she spoke with the director," Alice replied as she collected his dishes, "But nothing from Isabella herself."
"We made the right decision you know," Jasper reminded his wife.
"I hope so," she replied but the smile she gave him didn't quite reach her eyes.
Four alarm clocks went off at five thirty in the evening and all played the same tune as four sleepy brains came to the surface of consciousness.
Edward, having had the most sleep in his cabin out of the two roommates, got up and into the shower before Emmett had even swiped a lazy hand at the offending din of the alarm.
It was a much more organised approach in cabin one. The girls both exited their warm beds after the first peels of the alarm and while one chose her evening outfit and straightened her bed the other showered. Swapping midway saw them both showered, dressed and in the dining hall with a table staked out for the four new friends before the boys even ventured down the path.
A new corporate group had arrived at the camp during the afternoon so the hall was busy and loud. It also meant that spare tables were harder to come by so the fourth international traveller Ben, and his roommate Tyler, joined the four already seated during the meal.
Already quite a comfortable foursome the conversation was flowing freely by the time the table became six. The two new boys were talkative and were soon happily chatting away with the others.
Ben had spent his first day and night at camp with a migraine from his flight so he hadn't had a chance to see or do anything yet but Tyler had only come from a suburb at the bottom of the mountain so he'd not needed to rest at all, just like Emmett.
Ben was a football player who, because of his penchant for alcohol and partying, had never broken through into the big leagues and had been sent to camp to dry out. He'd been given one last chance by his club to get fit and to try out for the senior team.
He'd taken advantage of the pool and the gym and had already met Ange during her workout so they sat happily discussing the equipment at the camp while Tyler regaled the others with stories from his life.
He was a photographer by trade and had spent the last six months travelling around America on the campaign trail so he was full of interesting facts and more than a little gossip. When asked why he'd come to the camp he said he'd been twice before, once on his gap year between ending high school and starting his photography apprenticeship as his training was called in Australia. He'd come again two years ago after a stint covering a war torn area in the Middle East. He'd needed the down time after that trip and had spent almost his entire visit sleeping and regaining the weight he'd lost on his tour. This time, he told the group, he was there for the quiet and the sleep after another difficult assignment abroad but didn't need to pack on any pounds this time. He belied that by stuffing three slices of apple pie into his mouth in quick succession and then sitting back to pat his belly contentedly.
At the mention of the party in cabin two Tyler bowed out. He needed more sleep and to get in contact with his editor and because of the time difference he had to do that during the early hours of the following morning. So that left the four new friends and Ben who said he'd love to go, but he wouldn't be drinking anything other than water.
Spotting Jessica - the other local who'd gotten on the bus at the same stop as Emmett – sitting with yet another new girl, Em introduced himself and his posse as he called them and was told in return that the new arrival was Lauren. He asked if they wanted to join in, but they declined with a sneer.
Figuring they weren't the social types Em shrugged it off and the five who did want to attend agreed to meet at his cabin fifteen minutes later.
The night was cold, a stiff breeze swept across the open field by the cabins and made life under the awning rather unpleasant at first. But after everyone had settled in – and three more chairs and another table had been pilfered from neighbouring cabins – the alcohol began to warm the shivering bodies.
Em had chilled the beer in the little fridge inside the cabin and had explained to Ed that it was called a slab. He'd stood two bottles of wine, one red and one white in the door of the fridge and explained to Ed that they needed the corks for the still and that the girls could drink the wine if they wanted.
Taking a beer each for them the bottle of white for the girls outside the two boys then went back inside to gather some snacks for the party. Crisps were left in their bags but the sweets were tipped into two cereal bowls and stood in the middle of the little tables. The smashed up blocks of chocolate held pride of place on a sandwich plate in the centre of the boys table.
Edward offered Bella a glass of wine and was strangely pleased when she accepted it without hesitation. Angela too took a glass and both girls seemed to enjoy the taste. He watched how Emmett opened the cap of his beer by using the underside of his forearm and then did the same, proud that he'd done it without tearing a gash into his skin. The taste of it wasn't a shock to his system because he'd had one on the flight, but that had been served in a glass with a napkin wrapped around it.
This felt different as he took his first slug. This felt grown up and very, very normal. The bottle in his hand felt manly and he felt a little bit brave as he drank from it. When Em took another for himself Edward followed. When Ben reached for crisps he did too and when Emmett offered him a cigarette from his pack he took that as well.
Bella also watched those around her for social cues. She'd been given the very best education money could buy and yet she still had no clue how to behave inside a circle such as the one that had gathered at cabin two.
The men were relaxed in casual clothing and sat slung low in their seats; one knee crossed over the other at the ankle and were talking freely. That was something she'd never seen. Firstly because she'd never seen men in casual clothing, the only man she'd seen do that was her brother in law, in his own home, in his own study on a Sunday evening. And second because this group were men and women all speaking with one another.
At home social gatherings split into two as soon as the introductions and pleasantries were over. The men formed groups according to their business interests and spoke within those groups. The women gathered in another room and stayed there until the meal was served or until it was time to leave when both groups would come together again to say goodbye.
But here the group stayed as one. The men included the women into the conversation and really listened when they spoke. She'd already been asked her opinion on several things and the three men had gone quiet while she'd given it. It was thrilling.
It wasn't the glass of wine she'd consumed that made her feel warm inside, it was the company she was with and the acceptance she found quite by accident.
The camp might not be a sanatorium but in the two days she'd been there she'd already learned more and felt better than she had her whole life.
Edward found himself feeling better than he'd ever felt too and it surprised him. Sitting in the middle of nowhere with a beer and a cigarette laughing and talking with a group of people he knew very little about made him feel good.
Like Bella his experience in social situations was limited and like Bella's observation he found it strange that the men and women in this little group were all speaking with one another.
Usually he'd be forced to stand idle and silent while his father and his cronies discuss their next big business venture or their last accomplishment. His opinion wasn't asked for and when he was given the rare opportunity to give one he gave what he knew they'd expect to hear, not his actual thoughts on the matter.
But here he could say whatever he pleased. If he didn't agree with someone he could say so and he could use language here that would never be tolerated at home. He'd sworn twice already and nobody raised an eyebrow. He felt so free.
He gulped the last mouthful of his beer down before accepting another from Em and then shoved his hand deep into the bowl of sweets on the table. As he'd predicted he loved the taste of every single one of them. Especially the sugar covered jubes.
Emmett was holding court, their guests hanging on his every word. For the life of him Edward couldn't think of a single reason why a guy such as Em was at camp. He was full of life, boisterous, seemed to have no social problems or even personal problems. He was generous with his time and his money and he made friends easily.
"Why are you here?" Ed asked bluntly for the second time in as many days, breaking the thread of the conversation. "Sorry," he cringed when he realised that his question had nothing to do with the joke Ben was telling and had made the others uncomfortable. "I just figured that we've all shared why we're here, I just wondered why you were?" he asked, rephrasing the question to take the harshness out of it.
For half a second Emmett's face clouded over but just as quickly his dimples did their thing and his grin returned, but both Edward and Bella had seen the initial reaction.
Em lit another cigarette, popped another sweet into his mouth and then sat back in his chair casually. "I keep failing my final exams," he chuckled. "I'm on a hat trick," he grinned. "Slight bit of trouble on the last day of term and here I am."
It was the quickest, vaguest explanation any of them had given and it didn't sit right with Edward. "What were you studying?" he asked when it looked like the others were just as confused. "And what is a hat trick?"
Tipping his beer back Em started chuckling as he answered. "Medicine," he laughed. "And a hat trick is three wickets in cricket. Oh right, you Seppo's won't get that. Um, it means I've failed my final exams three times in a row," he said without shame and Edward got the impression he wasn't at all bothered by not passing.
"Does that mean you can't re-sit them again?" Bella asked before Edward could.
"Don't know, don't care," Emmett shrugged. "I never wanted to be a doctor anyway."
Why he'd go through the tortures of medical school then was anybody's guess Edward thought as he stared at his new friend. Emmett was the least likely doctor he'd even met but the carefree way he spoke about his failures didn't sit right with Ed. He knew without asking that Emmett had been pressured into a path he didn't want for himself too. An immediate kinship, over and above the fact that Edward already liked Emmett personally, filled the space between the friends.
"What stunt did you pull to land here then?" Ben asked while Edward kept watch for another fleeting 'look' on Emmett's face.
But there wasn't one. Just his usual sinister looking grin. "I blew up the science block," he chuckled heartily and that sparked another round of 'I did this, I've done that' from the group.
Neither Bella nor Edward had anything to contribute to such a discussion because neither of them had ever done anything at all. They listened contentedly and sipped their drinks and laughed at Ben, Angela and Emmett's retold stories of their past exploits.
Bella flicked her gaze over to Edward and watched him as the conversation swirled around and around. He had kind eyes she thought. Expressive and a lovely shade of jade. His hair was the sort of mess that looked as though it took hours to style but he didn't seem the sort to bother with all that. He wore jeans that were obviously new because they weren't creased or worn anywhere she could see even though they looked comfortable. Glancing down at her own pants she wondered whether she could feel as comfortable in a pair of jeans as he did.
As she glanced down at herself Edward had a chance to study her. She looked happier than she had the night before and there was a sparkle to her eyes. And very pretty eyes they were. A dark chocolate brown that laughed when she did.
Caught staring Edward threw her an embarrassed smile and offered to top up her drink. She said thank you and then he went inside to drain the last of the first bottle wine into her glass.
Seeing his cell on the counter he wondered how many missed calls he had from home. Sneering at it he left it right where it was and went back outside to join the party. It was midnight, mid week and he had the first stirrings of his first alcohol induced buzz going on in his body. Life right then was good for Edward.
Sipping at her fourth glass of wine Bella felt warm all over. She'd smiled more often than she had in all the days of her life to date in one night she thought as she leaned forward and had to brace her hands on the table to contain the laughter bubbling up in her throat from Emmett's science lab tale.
These were nice people. They were all very different but they were all a little the same too. Oppressed, pressured and away from home just like she was. Thinking of home made her think about how much trouble she was going to be in because she hadn't called her mother yet.
Seeing the frown on her face Edward leaned over, "Anything I can help with?" he whispered to her.
Shaking her head Bella smiled at his offer to help if he could. "I think I'm in a bit of trouble," she admitted guiltily and with just the faintest hint of a slur. "I haven't called home since I got here."
Leaning even further in towards her Edward smiled. "I haven't either," he said with a quick raise of his eyebrows, his own slur just a little more developed than hers. "I'm pleading stupidity for not checking the plug arrangement here," he laughed.
Mentally kicking herself for putting that last question on her list Bella smiled too. "I made the mistake of asking Rosalie about it and she's given me an adaptor," she said conspiratorially. "She says she has more of them if you want one."
Tapping his cigarette packet towards her Edward sat back and lit one for himself before answering. "I don't think I want an adaptor. I don't want to be contacted. They know where I am, that'll have to be enough for them," he said of his family.
Staring at his lips as he blew the smoke out over them Bella reached for the pack and took one for herself. He just looked so content as he drew on it. So at ease. So free and she wanted to feel free too. He passed her his lighter and she lit it, drawing on it shallowly like he'd showed her the night before. The taste was still pretty awful but once again the rebellious act more than made up for that.
Watching his Adams apple bob up and down as he took another drag Bella began to smile. Leaning forward and waiting until he'd done the same she whispered 'I don't think I want to be contacted either' and then sat back to enjoy the wine and the company around her.
"Em," Edward called across the table. Having gotten his attention Edward nodded towards his empty beer, "You want another?"
Emmett's loud 'shit yeah' echoed around the quiet camp.
Sipping from her coffee cup under the awning of her own cabin Rose startled at the loud comment. None of the visitors ever thought to ask who occupied the last of the six cabins at the far end of the row. Nobody ever thought to ask her to join in their fun as they bonded over alcohol, food and personal experiences.
And they always did bond. Every time. It didn't matter why they were there, who'd sent them or whether they'd come off their own backs. They always bonded, they always threw little parties and they always spent hours laughing and joking. It's why she'd built these cabins so far away from the corporate ones. It's why she'd built the actual camp in the first place.
A/N: It seems the alert system is back up and running, so I hope everyone gets this chapter this time.
Thank you for reading.
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