A/N: In a totally uncharacteristisic move I'm posting as I write.

All of this was going to be a one massive chapter, but now it's more like 4.

Hope you like the seaside eps and as ever I will reply to you all. x

Effy

"Will you sit the fuck down please, you're making me dizzy. They'll be here soon." I said exasperatedly, I was really starting to regret saying yes to this bloody trip.

Naomi gave me a pointed stare, "Remember the ground rules Effy."

I rolled my eyes, like I could possibly forget, "one, no swearing in front of the kid; two, no referring to the kid as the kid, his name's Danny; three, no psychic watchy shit; four, no piss taking and finally five, be nice to Katiekins."

Her eyes narrowed, "I'm not sure you're taking this seriously."

I gasped theatrically, "Oh I am Naomi, please believe me, don't stop me from coming along."

She smiled sarcastically, "Like I'd give you a get out jail free card that easily."

I shrugged, "It was worth a try."

I watched her start to pace up and down again, checking her watch every five seconds. I got my phone out and sent a text to Cook, asking him where the fuck they were because if they didn't get here soon I was going to kill Naomi. He texted back to say the taxi was just around the corner and could we get the tickets. At last something useful for Naomi to do.

"Naoms that was Cook, they're nearly here but they want us to get the tickets." I stated.

Naomi checked her watch, "Good idea, there's a train in 25 minutes, but it'll take us about 10 to get to the platform."

We walked over to the machine and selected returns for five adults and a child, I offered to give Naomi some money, I knew she was always a bit skint because she didn't earn that much and she was saving.

She waved my hand away as she paid, "Don't worry, I've got it."

"Seriously Naoms, let me pay for mine at least." I offered.

"Effy, look at the bloody screen, there's all these GroupSave offers, I can manage." she said pointing.

I got out my purse, "Naoms, tell me what my share is."

She tutted as she picked up the tickets, "Effy, I don't want your bloody money."

There was a sigh next to us, "Do you argue with everyone about silly things?"

I turned to see who the cheeky little shit was and nearly burst out laughing when I was greeted by the wild mass of curly hair. I watched in surprise as Naomi bent down and tapped him gently on the nose.

"No cheek from you today or there'll be trouble." she said with a smile.

So this was the kid, sorry Danny. I nearly fell over in shock as he reached up to hug her, even more astonishing was the fact that Naomi actually hugged him back. I could hardly believe my eyes, my best mate, whom I'd known since I was even younger than Danny, who was hardly ever affectionate with anyone, well not when she was sober at any rate, was giving a kid a hug, in public. Fuck my tall hat, I thought today was going to be a bit of a laugh at Naomi's expense, I didn't expect it to leave me gobsmacked so early on.

I looked over at Cook who wore a similar expression, I pointed and he shrugged.

Naomi looked over, "Problem?"

We both shook our heads.

"Excellent. Effy this is Danny, Dan this is my other really good friend Effy." Naomi stated.

He held out his hand, "It's very nice to meet you Effy, Naomi has told me all about you."

Are you shitting me? I thought he was seven not fucking forty seven, I took it and gave it a sort of shake, "Er hi, likewise."

Naomi looked around, "Where's Em? The train leaves soon and you know what a rabbit warren this place can be. We have to get this one on the way out."

Katie waved towards the entrance, "She's paying the cab driver, she won't be long."

Naomi held her hand up, "I've got the tickets, let's go and meet her."

I was snapped out of my astonishment fug when Naomi's expression changed completely and she broke into a beaming smile. That meant only one thing, she'd seen Emily. Sure enough the redhead came dashing up.

"Hi, sorry we're late. Had a little bit of trouble persuading Katie that a train journey wasn't going to kill her because she'd catch poor people's germs." she said reaching up to kiss Naomi on the cheek.

"Jesus Katiekins, you're such a snob." I said in disbelief.

Katie shuddered, "Everyone knows public transport is swimming in them."

Naomi laughed, "Poor people or their germs?"

"Both." Katie replied.

"Can we please catch the train now?" the kid whined.

Naomi handed out the tickets and we went though the barriers. Emily, Naomi and the, sorry, Danny were in front, Cook and Katie fell into step behind me.

"What the fuck?" I asked pointing ahead.

Cook shrugged, "Don't look at me, it's the first time I've seen them together to."

Katie looked between us and laughed, "I did try to warn you yesterday."

She had but I thought she was joking, or that I was off my nut so I'd misheard. Did I forget to mention Katie had now decided to gate crash mine and Cook's traditional Fridays? It was an absolute pleasure to have her there, pure joy.

I turned my attention back to Naomi when I heard her telling Danny facts about the train station, he was listening intently and nodding enthusiastically.

Cook shook his head, "When did she turn into a fucking train spotter?"

"Em said she learnt lots about Brandon Hill as well, I guess she likes to impress him." Katie replied.

"Ohhhh, so that's what she was doing on her phone on the bus. I wondered why she kept telling me to shhhh." I said as the realisation dawned.

Every now and then Naomi would look over and smile at Emily before turning back to Danny.

"So the eye fucking's true an all?" Cook said with a grin.

Katie hit him, "I wasn't making any of it up. The longing looks, the unbearable sweetness, the total denial all true. Wait until you see the competitiveness though, it's fucking hilarious."

We reached the platform just as the train was pulling into the station, luckily lots of people got off so there was plenty of space. Danny rushed on first in the queue. Good, the three of them could sit together and I could either sit with Katie and Cook or more preferably by myself. Turns out the kid had other ideas.

He sat at a table, "I'll sit here by the window, Naomi you can sit next to me. Mummy and Effy, you can sit opposite us, you decide who gets the window. Auntie Katie and Cook, you sit there but no touching."

I snorted, I wasn't having some seven year old telling me what to do. I opened my mouth to speak but closed it again as everyone dutifully did as they were told. Naomi shot me a look and motioned towards the seat. Jesus Christ, I know she told me Mandy had stated that Danny ruled the roost, but this was ridiculous.

Emily turned to me, "Do you want the window?"

I shook my head, "Go for your life."

Not long after we sat down the train pulled away and Danny's incessant chatter started again. Did the kid ever shut up? To make matters worse every time he took a breath and there was silence Naomi would ask him something else, about school or his friend Ellie, who sounded like a complete pain in the arse by the way, and he'd be off again.

I stared at Naomi like she was some sort of alien, who was this impostor chatting animatedly to a fucking kid? I'd always thought our views on children were the same, if it's 'allegedly' illegal to drown them at birth, keep them the fuck out of our way. Apparently, she was prepared to make an exception for Danny. I sighed in relief when there was a pause, it didn't last long.

"Auntie Katie! I said no touching, it's embarrassing." Danny called across the aisle.

We turned to find Cook hastily removing his hand from Katie's top.

"That might be the only sensible thing he's said today." I muttered under my breath.

Naomi kicked me under the table, "Rule five, Eff."

I glared at her, "That was just about Katie."

Her eyes narrowed, "The rule's just been widened."

Emily turned to me, "Sorry, Naomi mentioned you don't really like children, this must be your idea of hell."

I shrugged, "I know it makes me sound like a cold bitch, but I can't stand them, they irritate the fuck out of me. Sorry."

To my surprise Emily laughed, "Don't be, apart from Dan, they pretty much annoy the shit out of me too. Christ I nearly killed the lot of them at his birthday party, 'Mrs Fitch, can I have some ice cream', 'Mrs Fitch, it's my turn on the bouncy castle."

I stared at her for a while, she was giving me an innocent look but they don't call me Effy the people reader for nothing, well alright I don't think they call me that at all, but you get the idea.

I smiled, "Nice try, you love kids really don't you?"

She smiled, "Yeah, sorry if that means I go down in your estimation. I always wanted to be a doctor, you know before Dan came along, I hoped to become a paediatrician one day. I know it might sometimes be hard if they died but if I could save one of them then maybe it'd be worthwhile."

I greeted the information with interest, "You could always go back as a mature student."

Emily snorted, "Don't you start, you sound like Naomi. Maybe one day I might go to university or even finish my A levels, but I really don't have the time to do something as demanding as medicine. I wouldn't want to now I've got Danny, I couldn't stand to miss out on so much of his life."

I smiled, "Look, it might not be my bag, but it's obvious you're a great Mum."

"Thanks." she nodded her head over the table, "Although these days, I'm facing some stiff competition for his affections."

I glanced over to where Danny was excitedly telling Naomi something about a stick insect in school. Naomi was listening seriously and I suppose it was quite a cute picture, if you liked that sort of thing.

Suddenly he cried out, "We're here!"

I smiled at Emily, "Onwards and upwards?"

She smiled back, "Let's see how you feel at the end of the day."