“Yup,” he says. “And you’re, um… I really sorry, I can’t remember your name.”
“Suzy,” I remind him.
“What happened to your arm?”
“Flipped over my handlebars and fractured it,” I say. “Spent all day in A & E.”
“That sucks.”
“Yeah. Adventure sports really aren’t my thing.”
“Me neither,” Joe says, staring into the fire. Sneaking a peek out of the corner of my eye, I can see he doesn’t seem the adventure sports type. In fact, he looks kind of… weedy. Really skinny, with pale skin and more than a few spots smattering his jawline. His dark hair is jaw-length and hanging loosely around his face.
“How come you’re here, then?” I ask, genuinely curious.
“Dad thought it would be good for me,” Joe tells me. “He said I was spending too much time playing video games and needed to get out and experience the world, or something equally lame. He loves this stuff. So do my brothers, Ben and Ant.”
“Ben’s your brother?” I ask, incredulous. They look nothing like each other. I don’t mean to be rude or anything, but Ben is seriously hot. Joe… well, he really isn’t.
“Yup,” Joe says. “Big brother.”
“So how old are you?”
“Fourteen.”
“Oh, same as us,” I say without thinking.
Then I wince as an icy horror trickles through my veins. Nice going, Suze! You’ve been here less than ten minutes and you’ve already blown it.
Isabella and Millie are going to kill me.
“I thought you were older,” Joe says.
“Ha ha, yes, I meant I’m fourteen. Millie and Isabella are the same age as Ben,” I say, backtracking hastily. I’m on the spot, and there’s no other lie I can think of that won’t give the game away about the others.
“So, um, you like video games?” I ask, trying to change the subject.
“Yeah,” Joe says and starts telling me all about what level he’s up to on this shoot-’em-up, and how he’s formulated a master plan to get past some big enemy and can’t wait to get home to try it out… or something. I’m not really listening.
As Joe’s speaking, I’m keeping half an eye on Millie and Isabella. Tom’s definitely into Isabella. And the more I watch, it looks horribly like Ben thinks he’s in with Millie.
To my dismay, Millie doesn’t seem to be acting like a person with a boyfriend.
Unless I’m very much mistaken, she’s flirting like mad, flicking her hair around the place and laughing like a lunatic. What’s going on? Has she forgotten all about Jamie? She’s talking non-stop and… oh, God… now she’s got her hand on his arm.
What’s she doing?
I feel sick. Does Millie want something to happen with this guy? What if she gets off with him and doesn’t tell Jamie? Will I have to keep secrets for her?
Stop it, Suze, I tell myself firmly. Nothing’s even happened yet.
On the other side of the fire, I realise the boys are passing around a cola bottle. But given the way they’re all swigging from it, I’m going to say it’s a pretty safe bet it’s not cola in there.
Uh oh. What if I get offered that? I can’t not drink it, I’ll look a total baby. Maybe I could pretend… but would anyone be convinced? Gah, I’m rubbish at being mature and sophisticated. I want to go back to our caravan, and I never in a million years thought I’d be saying that.
Even Uno’s sounding appealing right now.
As I look to see if Millie and Isabella have noticed what’s going on, Tom places his hand on Isabella’s waist, and lowers his head down to hers. In a matter of seconds, they’re kissing passionately.
Lordy, she doesn’t waste time, does she? Some of the other boys start clapping and cheering so Tom pulls away.
“Come on,” he says, a smile dancing around his lips as he takes Isabella’s hand and pulls her to her feet. She looks like the cat that got the cream as she allows herself to be walked away from the circle and into the woods.
“Um, should we do something?” I say to Millie, who’s mucking around with Ben.
“About what?”
“That!” I say, indicating to where Isabella’s gone. If anything happens to her, Mum’s going to kill me.
“She’ll be fine,” Ben says. “Tom’s sound.”
“I don’t fancy your chances if you go after her,” Millie says. “I’d leave them to it, if I were you.”
“Fancy some of this?” Ben asks, pulling his toasting fork out from the fire and blowing on the melty marshmallow. He pulls off the charred piece and blows it, then drops it into Millie’s mouth, getting sticky strands all over her chin.
“Millie, can I have a word?” I say.
“Sure,” Millie replies. “What’s up?”
“Not here,” I say. “Um… somewhere a bit more private?”
Millie doesn’t look overly impressed to leave her warm spot next to the fire, but follows.
“What are you doing?” I ask, trying not to shiver. It’s so cold out here.
“What do you mean?”
“You. And Ben. What’s going on?”
“Nothing,” Millie says. “Just having a laugh, that’s all.”
“It’s just… it sort of looks like more than that, that’s all. And I’m worried about Isabella, too.”
“Would you just chill?” Millie says. “Don’t worry so much. Just have a good time, okay?”
“But what about Jamie?”
“What about Jamie?” Millie says, her eyes sparkling. “He’s not here. I’m just having fun. Like you should be doing. Why don’t you go and talk to that boy again? I think he likes you.”
And with that, she returns to Ben, who immediately starts feeding her more marshmallow.
I slump back next to Joe, who looks delighted to see me. “You’re back.”
“Yeah,” I say, distractedly looking for Isabella. There’s still no sign of her. What the heck is she up to in that forest?
Joe inches nearer. And then nearer still. And then I cotton on to what he’s doing.
Oh good grief, does he think he’s got a chance with me?
“Um, where’s Dave?” I ask nervously.
“Gone to the entertainment,” Joe says.
He gets nearer still, and now I can feel his leg pressed up against mine.
Irk! What do I do now?
“I’ve got a boyfriend,” I say quickly.
“Blown out! That told you, Joey-baby,” hoots Matt. He’s sitting on the other side of Joe.
Joe immediately gets up and disappears into one of the tents without saying another word.
I have never wanted to leave anywhere more in my life.
And then, to my relief, Isabella and Tom join us in the circle. To say Isabella looks smug would be the understatement of the century.
“Um, it’s ten-thirty,” I say, checking my watch.
Isabella rolls her eyes. “So?”
“So that’s curfew and we need to get back?” I say awkwardly, aware of what a saddo I sound.
“It’s fine. They’ve all gone to bed. The lights are off in the caravan, look,” Isabella says.
I shake my head. “Mum won’t be sleeping. So unless you want her to actually come and get us in her pyjamas, which she will, let me assure you, we’d better go.”
Isabella huffs. “Honestly, it’s like we’re babies. I’m not going yet.”
“Great,” Tom says, grabbing hold of Isabella’s hand.
Gah. Am I going to get into more trouble for going back late, or going back by myself and leaving Isabella?
What do I doooooo?
I’m still trying to figure out what the answer is when I see Dave approaching. He doesn’t look happy.
Ben clears his throat. “Dad’s coming, mate…”
Isabella and Tom hastily pull apart.
“What’s going on?” Dave asks, standing at the edge of our circle.
“Nothing,” Tom says. “Just toasting marshmallows. Wan
t one?”
“I meant these girls,” Dave says, frowning.
“We were just passing and really fancied a marshmallow,” Isabella says, smiling sweetly. “I’m sorry, we didn’t mean to get anyone into trouble. We were just leaving.”
Dave’s expression suggests he’s unconvinced, but his stance softens. “Well, as long as you’re not staying. I’m responsible for this lot – can’t have any funny business going on!”
“Of course. Come on, Millie, Suzy. Let’s go,” Isabella says. “Night,” she says, as she wafts past Dave.
Finally. We’re outta here.
I make a short detour to collect Harry from Ant’s tent as Ben and Tom follow Millie and Isabella.
“You guys around tomorrow?” Isabella asks.
“No. We’re canoeing all day,” Tom says. “But we’re around tomorrow night. Come and hang out with us again?”
“Sure,” Isabella says. She gives a quick check to make sure Dave’s not looking, then stands on tiptoes to give Tom a kiss goodbye.
Ben looks expectantly at Millie.
She grins cheekily and blows him a kiss. “See you.”
Isabella and Millie are clearly on a high as Isabella gives Millie the low-down of what she and Tom got up to in the wood. Long, romantic kisses under the stars, apparently, with no detail left undiscussed.
I don’t say a word all the way back.
I’m not sure anyone notices.
CHAPTER TWENTY
I don’t get a lot of sleep. My wrist is still throbbing despite the painkillers, and every time I turn over I wake up because it hurts so much. Next morning I’m sleep-deprived and cranky.
My mood isn’t helped by the fact it’s raining incessantly again, and showing no signs of letting up. Is this flipping summer ever going to actually arrive?
“I can’t spend another day on this campsite in the rain,” Amber says. “Mum, what can we do?”
“I’m going home to get my bits and pieces for the talent show,” Dad says. “And I am going today. There will be no more trips to hospital on this holiday, you hear?”
“I still can’t believe you’re doing a round trip all for a tr—”
“Ah, ah, Jen!” Dad interrupts. “Don’t give anything away. And yes, it’ll be a long journey, but to be honest, I’m looking forward to it. Time to myself in the car? Sounds blissful.”
“You’re being so mysterious about this whole talent show thing,” I say. “You can’t have that many skills we don’t know about.”
“Ah, you’ll see,” Mum says.
“I thought Dad’s only talents were watching telly and eating a whole tube of Pringles in one go,” I say.
“Oh, ha ha,” Dad says. “You wait, young lady. You’ll eat your words when you see what your old dad’s been hiding up his sleeve.”
Yeah, yeah, I won’t hold my breath. I bet Dad’s talent turns out to be a talking hand puppet, or something equally lame that he’s totally hyping.
“Dad, can I come?” Amber asks. “Only for the day. I really, really want to see Mark. I miss him so much…”
“Won’t Mark be at work?” Dad says. “I’m sorry, Amber, but I need to get there and back quickly. It’ll take much longer if I have to stop at every service station en route for you to pee. I’ll take Harry, if Harry wants a road trip, but not the rest of you. What do you say, kiddo?”
“Erm, do you know what, Dad, I think I’m going to stay here,” Harry says, shuffling her feet and looking sheepish. That’s weird. She never turns down opportunities for Dad time, and the chance to do a road trip where she’ll get control of the radio and sit in the front seat – plus Dad will feed her all sorts of sugary and salty snacks – is not one she’d give up easily.
“Why don’t you want to go?” I ask.
“Um, I’m meeting Ant when they get back from canoeing,” Harry says, fidgeting in her chair. “He’s got the Harry Potter board game I really want to play and he said we could do it today.”
“I want to go home,” Amber says, her bottom lip wobbling dangerously. Honestly, since she got pregnant this girl leaks more water than a tap. “I really, really, want to see my Markymoo…”
“Well, we’ll have to think of something fun to do,” Mum says, hurriedly. “Don’t cry, love, you know stress isn’t good for the babies. Why don’t we drive into town? I know it’s a bit of a way away but we’ve nothing else to do and we can buy some things for the babies.”
“We can? So far we need… well, everything, I suppose.” Amber suddenly starts to freak out. “We don’t have anything. Nothing at all. Oh God, what if the babies come early and we don’t have any clothes for them? And they don’t have anywhere to sleep? We’d be the worst parents in the world! They’d take the babies away!” Amber’s voice has risen into a banshee-like wail.
“Calm down. We will buy what you need ready for when these little ones make their appearance.” Mum gives Amber a squeeze.
“Really?” Amber says, between gasping, shuddery breaths. “Phew.”
Dad goes pale. “You’re spending more money?” he asks.
Mum pats his arm. “Don’t worry, it won’t be much. We’ll get a few essentials – a few baby clothes and whatnot to cheer Amber up and make her less worried. She can get the rest of the things when we get home.”
“Well, make sure that’s all it is,” Dad says. “Budgeting rules still apply on holiday, you know. A couple of Babygros and maybe a rattle or a nice teddy or something, but that’s it, all right? Amber and Mark are living rent-free in our house; they can afford to buy their own things for their own children.”
Dad stresses the last part meaningfully.
“Absolutely,” Mum says, nodding her head. Dad doesn’t see the wink she sends in Amber’s direction.
Just then, the minibus containing the boys drives past and trundles across the field out of the gate. Isabella stares after it longingly.
“If we’re all going to town, you’re going to have to take Murphy,” Mum says to Dad.
“What?” Dad says.
“Well, we can’t take him shopping.”
“Would you mind?” Clare says. “We’d be ever so grateful. We can’t leave him by himself.”
Crystal Fairybelle is staying in the caravan – all that dog does is sleep, anyway. Murphy’s different, though, shut him in the caravan for more than half an hour and by the time you come back there’ll be no caravan left.
Dad grumbles, but Clare eventually sweet-talks him, and soon Murphy’s in the back of our Volvo, panting happily as he stares out of the window.
Then we’re off, crammed into Clare’s car. There’s loads of room now the dog grill’s taken down and Murphy’s not hogging all the space. Admittedly it takes hours to drive to a town with a shopping centre, but no matter. We’re out!
“Right, I’m going to start at the bookshop,” Clare says when we pull into a parking space. “I’ll meet you back at the car later, okay?”
“Don’t forget to ring Dad,” Millie calls after her.
Clare doesn’t look like she’s heard.
Isabella eyes the high street with undisguised delight. “Let’s shop! Where first, Mills?”
“We’ll meet you back here at about midday, girls,” Mum says. “Does that sound okay? That should be enough time to look around and get a few things, then we can have some lunch and head back.”
“Suze, you’re coming with us, aren’t you?” Amber says.
“Um, I was actually planning on going with these guys…”
No way do I venture into the unmitigated hell of baby shops. Hitting the bridal boutiques earlier in the year was bad enough.
“Please, Suzypoos,” Amber says, making puppy dog eyes. “Please, please. You’re going to be auntie to the babies. Your opinion really matters.”
I can’t really argue with that, can I?
“But…” I say, turning towards Millie and Isabella. Isabella’s already pulling Millie away, clearly eager to start spending.
“
Bye,” Millie says apologetically.
“Yeah, bye,” I mutter.
Left out. Again.
“Right then,” says Mum. “To the baby shops!”
“Wow, look at you, Mum-to-be,” a shop assistant gushes, coming over as we enter. “When are you due? Looks like any day now.”
“I’ve still got over a month to go,” Amber says.
“Really?” the assistant says. “But you’re massive!”
“It’s twins,” Mum interjects before Amber gets too offended.
“Twins!” the lady exclaims, clapping with delight. “How wonderful. Double the trouble, double the joy, or so they say. Have you chosen your names?”
“I’m thinking about Lemon and Lyme,” Amber says. “Lyme with a y, though, obviously.”
“Obviously,” the shop assistant says, her smile wavering. “What unusual choices. Now, what do you already have, and what do you need?”
“Um, well, I have some baby books,” Amber says.
“Excellent,” says the shop assistant. “And what else?”
“Er, nothing,” Amber tells her.
“Nothing?” the shop assistant looks horrified.
“No,” Amber says, and her breathing gets all quick and panicky again.
“We were just hoping to get a few bits and pieces today,” Mum interjects, rubbing a hand over Amber’s back. “Not much. Maybe a couple of Babygros and a blanket, or something like that.”
“But you do know twins can come early, don’t you?” says the sales assistant.
“Well, we’re hoping that won’t happen,” Mum says, laughing nervously. “We’re planning on buying most of the bits when we get back home. We’re only here on holiday, you see. Only popped in to get an idea of the things we might need.”
“But we’ve got a wonderful sale on at the moment,” the woman presses. “And if you’re buying two of everything, saving money is going to be important, am I right?”
“She is,” whispers Amber. “And what if the babies do come soon?”
“It would be awful if they came early and we had nothing for them,” Mum agrees, weakening.
The assistant clearly has no intention of letting this sale go, especially when the pound signs are clanging in her eyes at the thought of all the commission she stands to make selling double of everything. “Let me show you some products you’ll need…”
Suzy P and the Trouble with Three Page 15