Warning: This plot is going to become very dark and adult content is included. It's also quite Lofty-centred, but I have tried to include the rest of the group as far as possible.

A big shout out to Gypsy Abby for the mouse ears idea!

Next morning Mrs Beauchamp and Miss Freeman had the mother of all hangovers and tempers were short. They managed to go down to supervise the group at breakfast, wisely avoiding going near any of the cooked food. Everything was going fine until Lofty dropped his tray, complete with cereal, yoghurt and fruit drink.

"Oh Ben, not again, why do you have to be so…" Mrs Beauchamp just stopped herself saying 'clumsy' but the damage was done. Lofty felt as if he'd been slapped.

"No problem, monsieur", the kindly waitress said, hurrying over to Lofty and steering him to a quiet table. She sensed that the small boy needed some time apart, "I will get you a new tray of food."

"Please, just yoghurt and a drink", Lofty whispered to her. He felt that his throat was closing up on him.

Mr Keogh looked over and gave him a wink. Then he looked at Mrs Beauchamp.

"Maybe you two ladies should ignore the partying tonight, we're going home tomorrow", was all he said but Mrs Beauchamp knew it was a reprimand from him for snapping at Lofty.

"I think you're right", she replied quietly.

Things were almost back to normal by lunchtime. They had another picnic bought from one of the service carts as it was the visit to Planet Hollywood – the final big treat – that night.

"Max" Zoe said bossily but at least quietly, "Go and get Ben's lunch so he doesn't have to. He likes cheese salad sandwiches and vanilla mousse, and flavoured water."

"Good grief, they're like an old married couple already", commented Mr Keogh, highly amused.

Ethan didn't think Mrs Beauchamp was cross with him but wasn't pushing his luck. In fact the whole gang were quite subdued up till the afternoon.

By then, Mrs Beauchamp's painkillers and a strong but warm breeze had almost brought her back to her normal self. She wanted to apologise to Lofty but knew that he was more likely to want to say he was sorry first, and if he did that, she knew she would break down. She'd snapped at Cal or Taylor before when they were still behaving very badly, but never at quiet little Ben. And all because she didn't know when to lay off the cocktails.

So the afternoon went on and the group moved towards one of the 'treats' they'd been saving for today, the last full day and night of the holiday. Pirates of the Caribbean.

And there was Captain Jack Sparrow waiting at the entrance, signing autographs.

"Where's your autograph book Ms Chao? It's Johnny Depp!" Ethan grinned.

"He is a very convincing Captain Jack, but he is not Johnny, Ethan."

Ethan felt a little squashed until she grinned and added:

"But I shall have my photograph with him; who has a camera?"

Several cameras were offered.

"I want to take this one", Miss Freeman, who had recovered much sooner than Mrs Beauchamp, giggled.

What a sight, thought Cal, gleefully, scary Ms Chao having a big fat snuggly cuddle with Captain Jack Sparrow!

Miss Freeman said there was plenty of time for autographs to be signed, and even Lofty, who was at that stage of being crushed earlier where he was feeling shy and scared and unsure of the teachers now, got the famous pirate's signature.

The group turned towards the entrance, and made their way down it, Lofty still hanging back shyly. The way down to the boats they would be riding was very dark and suddenly, to his humiliation, Lofty tripped over. By the time he'd struggled to his feet, the group had gone ahead. He didn't want to shout to them as that would be admitting he'd been clumsy again. But he was scared. Which way was it?

"Pardon me, my friend, are you lost?"

Lofty had been warned about talking to strange men, but at nearly seven years old, he couldn't imagine a bad man coming to Disney.

"I've lost my class and my headmistress – it's really dark "

"Give me your hand; I shall take you to your friends."

Trustingly, Lofty took the man's hand. The man began to lead him along, then suddenly turned.

He was all but dragging the small boy away from the group.

"Please, you're-"

The man shook him roughly.

"Listen, and do not annoy me. You are my little boy now, and you will come with me. If you shout out to anybody for help, I will stab you. Not in the heart, so you die quickly. In the gut, so you will die crying in pain. Do you understand me?"

Lofty, his face white, understood.