Hello!

I am back with chapter 5 of Reunited! And I must thank all the readers for taking the time to look through this. I hope you like what you read. :)

I've gotten two comments so far, and they've spurred me on. I'd love a few more with your feedback! Your ideas are always welcome and important. Thank you :)

Enjoy!

-Estelle

"Whew!" Pam flopped back onto a sofa in the fourth-form common room after dinner, "It was rather odd eating at the students' table instead of the staff table."

"Now, now, Pam!" Nora said with twinkling eyes, "You seem to have grown rather conceited."

"Do shut up."

"How unladylike you both are." June tutted with mock disapproval.

"Fancy those words coming from you, June." Nora retorted.

"Dear June will have to get used to being ladylike." Amy said smoothly, "For soon she is to be a bride, and then a wife, and maybe later a mother. I'm rather surprised that you are the first to get married."

June looked hounded, "Can we not speak of anything without my wedding being brought up? My mother is already having a ball with wedding preparations. It's driving me mad."

Everyone chuckled.

"Perhaps I could help your mother." Bonnie said, "I love planning parties. Have you got any ideas for the bridesmaids or Maid of Honor?"

"Five bridesmaids." June looked troubled, "But I can't choose between Freddie and Alicia as my Maid of Honor. What would you do, Felicity, if you had to choose between Susan and Darrell in such a situation?"

Felicity looked thoughtful, "To be quite honest, I haven't got a clue."

"I don't mind being a bridesmaid." Freddie said comfortably, "Alicia is your family, June. She's been there since your first steps, and hasn't yet left your side. She has every right to be the Maid of Honor. In fact, I'd rather not make any speeches, if you don't mind."

June didn't looked convinced, so Freddie said, "I do get to be a bridesmaid, don't I?"

"Of course!" June answered, as if the idea of Freddie being a mere member of the audience was scandalous.

"Then I don't see the problem. I'm more than happy to be a bridesmaid, old girl."

"Very well, then." June said, "My other bridesmaid is my friend Hilda from the lacrosse team. The third is Jennifer. She's Josh's sister, and is my to-be sister-in-law."

"How old is she?" Gillian asked.

"A year younger than us." June answered, "And as for my fourth and fifth bridesmaids...well, Felicity and Susan, I was wondering whether you two could do the honor?"

Both the girls gasped. "Us?" Susan said in shock, "You want us to be your bridesmaids?"

"Last time I checked, you two were Felicity and Susan." June replied.

"Are you sure about this?" Susan asked, delighted.

"Of course. Felicity was one of my first friends, and you both and I did have a wonderful time as a threesome back in second form. Plus, other than Freddie and Bonnie in some instances, you both have been closest to me."

"Oh, June, that would be wonderful! We'd love to!" Felicity cried.

June nodded in satisfaction, "Excellent. There you go, question has been answered. All is set."

Bonnie looked amused, "Your flower girl?"

"Josh's niece. His older brother's daughter. Her name's Elizabeth, and she is five years old. She's a sweetheart."

"Not bad." Lucy looked impressed, "Your side of the wedding party is planned."

"This is only one-eighth of it." June responded glumly, "Josh's mother is no better than my own. No matter where we are, they are absolutely burying us under decorations and cake flavors and dresses and invitations. Not a moment to breathe."

The girls laughed as the door opened, and the sixth-formers trooped inside.

"We have a good one and a half hours before we all need to go to bed." Faith said, checking her watch, "I'm glad we sixth formers have a later curfew."

"I feel rather nostalgic, sitting in this room again." Ivy said, sitting on the floor near the window.

Julie smiled, "Think about us. It's been 8 years."

"Don't say that, I feel ancient!" Amy protested, "Where are Bill and Clarissa?"

"They're in the stables, settling the horses down. They'll be here in five minutes or so." said Jenny, "What were you all discussing?"

"Not much." June said immediately, not wanting to bring up the topic of her marriage again.

"We were discussing June's wedding." Gillian grinned, causing June to groan.

"Are we invited to this wedding, then?" Daffy questioned.

"Of course." came June's ready reply, "How could you not be?"

"We shall all be dressed at our finest, and behaved our best." Katie put on a demure expression.

Everyone laughed.

"I doubt it, you cheeky scamps." Lizzie said fondly, "What responsible young women you have grown into, though."

"Don't use that word in front of me." Daffy said staunchly.

"What? Responsible?" Lizzie laughed, 'But you are responsible, Daffy. You're the games captain."

Daffy sighed, "I know. Only one more term left of being captain."

"Only one more term left of being at Malory Towers." Edith added sadly, "I'm going to miss it dreadfully."

"We still have one whole term after this one finishes." Violet said bracingly, "Look at it that way. We must make the most of it."

"Well said." Faith agreed, "That is exactly what we must do. Make the most of it."

"You say all this, and then turn back to us and tell us that you are not responsible." Lizzie shook her head in disbelief.

"Maturity and responsibility do not always go hand in hand, my dear sister." said Edith with dignity.

Before Lizzie could deliver her playful retort, the door swung open for the third time, revealing two women- one with dark hair and one with auburn hair and twinkling green eyes.

"Bill! Clarissa!" Felicity cried, "It's been a while, hasn't it?"

"I should say so." Bill grinned widely, as she and Clarissa took a seat on one of the smaller sofas.

"Hallo, June." Clarissa's smile broadened mischievously, "You were superb in the lacrosse championship. I must congratulate you on that. But even more importantly...what's this I hear about- unless my information is incorrect- a young man named Josh Rayson?

Everyone burst out laughing, and June tried to glare at Bill and Clarissa, but her irritable expression was replaced with a bright smile the minute Josh's name was mentioned.

"Your information is quite right." Freddie informed the girls.

Bill blinked, "Alright, do me a favor, June. Confirm this...you are getting married?"

"In the spring." June nodded, "I am, yes."

Clarissa gave Bill a triumphant look, "I told you it wasn't a trick of Alicia's. She'd never joke about her little cousin getting married. And her excitement and pride seemed quite sincere, even in writing."

Bill gazed at June in disbelief, "You really are getting married." she repeated slowly, "Say it in a whole sentence. I can't quite believe you, I'm afraid. Are you and Alicia teaming up on a prank?"

"I am getting married to Josh Rayson in the spring." June said monotonously, "Is it so hard to believe?"

"Yes." Bill said, "I remember you as a brazen, bold, obstinate, hot-headed, hot-tempered, rude, hard-hearted-"

"Stop, stop, stop!" June interjected, looking rather alarmed, "I know I was awful, you don't really need to remind me. Or describe it.'

"Apologies." Bill said, "Congratulations on your engagement, June. I'm pleased for you. It still is unexpected, if I remember the little girl who used to stomp into our common room, scowling, to recite lines to Darrell, Sally or Alicia."

"And you. Twice." June said sourly, "And Gwen. My goodness, Gwen absolutely murdered me."

Everyone chuckled.

"Where is Gwen, by the way? I haven't yet seen her." Alice said.

"Miss Williams roped her into accompanying the fourth form's camping trip. It's Gwen, Miss Williams and Miss Nicholson who have gone along." Ivy told them.

"Poor Gwen. She hates the outdoors." June said, not looking sympathetic in the least.

"She's changed her ways, June." Felicity reminded her, "Miss Grayling even said so."

"Oh, yes!" Clarissa said suddenly, "We had seen Miss Grayling on the way up here, and we were to extend an invitation of longer stay to you."

"What is that supposed to mean?" Amy questioned.

"Well, there was a heavy downpour at the campsite where the fourth form has gone, so they had to book rooms. It cancelled some of their plans, so they are going to be there for seven extra days to complete everything on the agenda. Miss Grayling says you are free to stay here for seven extra days, as well." Bill explained.

"Ten days in total! That sounds lovely. And I'm quite free this week, so I can certainly take up that invitation." Gillian said.

"And ten days means we will leave with the rest of the school, for this is the last week of term." Felicity realized.

"Things seem to be working in our favor." Julie said, delighted, "I would love to stay on a bit longer."

All the other girls nodded in agreement.

"We'll let Miss Grayling know tomorrow morning at breakfast." Susan decided, "And we can thank her, as well."

"Which means you two," Clarissa nodded at Lucy and Julie, "Shan't be back at work for another six days or so."

"Awfully sorry, Clarissa. We can all come down one of these days to help you out." Lucy said contritely.

"No, no, it's no trouble." Bill said, with a wave of her hand, "Clarissa and I can mange for a week."

"Julie, you do have the spare key, don't you?" Clarissa asked, "Bill and I have only got one, and Tom has the other."

"Yes, we have the third, don't you worry, Bill" Julie patted her pocket, "I'll keep it in the draw next to the bed for I don't think we'll need it."

"Better to be safe than sorry." Jenny pointed out, to which everyone agreed.

"Gracious, it's nearly ten-thirty." Faith said, looking at the wall-clock, "Time does fly."

"We'd better get going." Edith agreed, standing up along with the rest of the sixth formers.

"As should we." Bill said, "Tom will be waiting to close the stables. Do come down sometime this week, girls. Not to work, but just for a chat and a ride."

"Of course." Alice said, "We would have come whether or not we received and invitation."

Everyone laughed at this, and Faith opened the door so everyone could get back to their dormitories, and Bill and Clarissa could head back to the stables.

A small figure was walking by the end of the corridor.

Edith walked faster, catching up with the young girl, "What are you doing out of bed at this hour?"

"Bathroom." came the scared reply.

"There's one right next to the third form dormitory." Edith frowned.

"Oh. Sorry, Edith. I haven't really found my way around yet. The bathrooms next to Miss William's room are the only ones I know." the young girl replied apologetically, "You won't see me out of bed again."

"I jolly well hope so. Now, off to bed, you" Edith smiled, and the girl scampered off.

"She seemed much more polite and at ease." Katie said approvingly, looking at the figure's retreating back.

"Was that Elsie?" Clarissa asked, "We were stabling her pony at Five Oaks until now. We brought it up to the school stables today on her request. She doesn't like being so far from her pony."

"Like you, Bill, Julie and Lucy." Violet said with a laugh, "Elsie always seems more at peace when she's talking of riding or horses. She loves riding. That's one thing she hasn't yet complained about."

"She'd better not complain." Pam said darkly, "I don't want to give her anymore lines for bad-mouthing."

"Well, Miss Boardman." Daffy said, "We're off to bed now. See you tomorrow, girls. Goodnight."

They all exchanged goodbyes, and the old girls trooped to the fourth-form dormitory.

"I've never been in here before." Delia said, "Isn't it cozy?"

"Bags I that bed, near the window." Lizzie said, "Alice, do take the one next to mine."

They all chose their beds and changed into their night-clothes, before falling into their beds comfortably. Julie threw her coat to the side in a most undignified manner.

"Julie!" Lucy and Felicity chorused, though for different reasons.

"You're a grown woman! Pick that up and put it aside properly." Felicity said exasperatedly.

"The extra Five Oaks key is in there, you idiot. You are supposed to put it in the draw in the bedside stand." Lucy reminded her.

Julie grinned sheepishly, retrieving the coat, pulling out the keys and folding it neatly.

"There." she said, putting it with her other clothes, "And, Lucy, you keep the key in your drawer. Seeing how careless I was just now, I might lose it. Bill and Clarissa would never forgive me."

"You've kept your hairbrush, novel, hairslides and several other things in the drawer. I'm sure you won't forget those. So you shan't forget the key either." Lucy said.

"Just keep it with you, Lucy, don't argue. I'm too tired to argue back." Julie said.

"Very well." Lucy took the key and put it in the draw next to her bed, "Goodnight, everyone."

A chorus of 'goodnights' reached her ears, before Delia reached over and switched off the lights.