Chapter 37
37
It occurred to me, when I woke up early this morning, that opinion of me is already quite low, so I could probably get away with a lie-in – even if it was just this once.
Ethan was starving so he went to join everyone for breakfast, which meant that I could spread out in bed, going full starfish, taking up every corner of the bed, and it was glorious. It was almost a shame that I had to get up at all. I know, I know, I’m in a beautiful country and I should be exploring, but you know that feeling where your batteries desperately feel like they need charging? I felt like that, totally flat, and with no remote control to steal the batteries from then a bit of extra sleep seemed like the best thing for it.
I’m up now though and it’s strange. I feel like Kevin, in Home Alone , because the house is completely empty.
‘Hello?’ I call out as I explore the rooms downstairs.
There’s no sign of anyone – well, I can hear the staff working in the kitchen, so I can rule out a zombie apocalypse. Actually, no, I can’t, because I’ll bet Chester’s parents would make the staff keep working, apocalypse or not.
There’s no one on the patio, no one around the pool – oh, I can hear voices though, coming from the beach, so I make my way down the garden and onto the sand.
And here they all are – playing cricket. Oh yay, another sport!
Chester is the centre of everything, as usual, standing in the middle of the ‘pitch’ waiting to bowl.
‘Lana, there you are,’ he calls out.
‘We thought you might sleep all day,’ Bea adds.
‘It’s a shock to the system, adjusting to the time difference,’ I point out.
‘We all did it,’ Bea points out.
‘Join us,’ Dad insists, keen to move the game along.
‘Yes, you’re missing all the fun,’ Chester adds.
Funny, because it looks like all I’m missing is playing cricket with my family – aka the opposite of fun.
‘I don’t even know how to play,’ I reply.
‘It’s easy,’ Ethan tells me with a smile. ‘I’ll help you. You pretty much just hit the ball and run.’
‘There’s more to it than that,’ Beau replies. I don’t think he likes it, when Ethan makes his hobbies seem like silly little games that anyone can play.
‘Honestly, you all keep doing what you’re doing,’ I insist.
‘She’s always been a bore,’ Seph says. ‘If she doesn’t want to join in, let her watch us all having fun.’
‘Actually, while we don’t have anything planned, I thought I might go for a walk,’ I reply. ‘I’ve never been here before – I’d love to see more of the sights.’
I notice Ethan open his mouth, as though he’s going to say something, but Beau gets in there first.
‘I’ll come with you,’ Beau says. ‘I fancy a stroll – and I make an excellent tour guide.’
‘Oh, okay, thank you,’ I reply politely. ‘Sounds great.’
‘Don’t worry, Lana, we’ll look after Ethan for you,’ Tiggy calls out. She’s currently standing with the bat in her hand, wiggling her bum as she waits for Chester to bowl.
Tiggy looking after Ethan is absolutely something to worry about.
‘So, what are you in the mood for?’ Beau asks as we stroll.
‘I would love to visit Bondi Beach,’ I tell him.
‘Bondi it is,’ he replies. ‘Let’s go.’
I glance back at Ethan, who gives me a small wave – but then the ball flies in his direction so he turns his attention back to the game.
I’m sure he’ll be fine and, to be honest, some time apart might do us good. Even if it just means nothing bad can happen…