Chapter 17
17
I’m up, sure, but I wouldn’t exactly say I was ‘at ’em’.
I was kind of hoping that, after a night of sleeping on it, enough people would see sense, or have a change of heart, or something to put the silly idea of having a competition to bed. But no, it seems like everyone is raring to go. Like they all don’t just think it’s a good idea, but they’re actually looking forward to it too. Am I mad? Because it feels like I’m the only one who just wants to have a nice, peaceful, normal time. Not a battle of the sexes.
The boys are already outside by the firepit, looking bright-eyed, sounding loud, and clearly ready for action. Their energy is like a punch to the face, which is usually the first thing I feel like doing when I look at them.
Nita is raring to go, looking alarmingly perky as she practically marches towards the boys, leading the way for the rest of us to follow.
‘I can’t believe we’re doing this,’ I say to no one in particular.
‘Chillax,’ Willow tells me – I hate the word chillax.
‘Yeah, honestly, we’ve got this,’ Nita reminds me.
We’ve been talking all morning about what we should do and how exactly we’re going to win this thing. We have a plan but, I don’t know, I’m just so nervous about it all, and nowhere near as excited as anyone else.
In a way, I get it. There’s not much else to do here. Relaxing would be lovely if it were possible, but it isn’t because of the constant chaos from the boys. Working would also be good, but I can’t work, because I don’t have wi-fi, and I can’t imagine the boys agreeing to let me use theirs, because they won’t even let us use the fridge.
I just need to look at this competition as something to do, a distraction from everything else, and try not to worry about what happens if we lose, because that would mean going home early, and I really don’t want that. I know Lou will be jetting off on her honeymoon after she and Ellis tie the knot, but staying here with Nita and Willow – without the boys – sounds like heaven. Hot coffee on a morning, quiet lazy days by the pool, chilling by the firepit on an evening, warm food. I want it, I need it, I’m going to psych myself up so that we stand a better chance of winning it.
However, looking at the boys, practically vibrating with competitive glee, I’m guessing it isn’t going to be easy as just having a positive mental attitude and hoping for the best. I need to take this seriously – ah, why not, eh? If there’s nothing else to do…
Owen, Travis, Harry and Nolan are all sitting around the (obviously unlit) firepit. They’re loud, cocky, and clearly ready to go. And I can’t shake the feeling they might actually be good at whatever we throw at them, because there’s always a chance that our strengths are also theirs. On the flipside though, we could share their strengths too. Stay positive, Molly, stay positive!
‘We’re feeling generous,’ Owen says as we approach them, ‘so you girls get to pick the first round.’
‘Flags,’ Nita says simply, cutting to the chase.
‘Flags?’ Harry repeats back to her, a mixture of disbelief and disgust. ‘Sorry, I thought this was supposed to be fun.’
‘Flags are fun if you’re not thick,’ Nita shoots back with a jarringly angry smile. ‘Plus, you said we could pick anything. No questions asked.’
‘It wasn’t a question, it was a statement,’ Harry replies. Honestly, the sexual tension between the two of them is not going unnoticed. ‘So, what, do you just carry flags around with you, like a dork, ready for a situation like this?’
‘No,’ Nita says simply. ‘But there’s this magical thing, called the internet.’
‘At least there should be,’ I can’t help but say under my breath.
‘We can use that thing.’ Nita points at Nolan, who looks up and realises she’s talking about his iPad. ‘We can load a quiz up, that way it’s all fair, and random, and no one can cheat.’
Nolan looks at her, then the iPad, like he’s just been asked to give up state secrets. After a pause, he sighs.
‘Yeah, okay, I’ll find one,’ he says.
‘Identifying tiny flags on a screen sounds so painfully boring,’ Harry says, folding his arms across his bare chest, emphasising his pecs in a way that I’m sure is entirely deliberate.
‘We did say they could choose anything,’ Owen points out. ‘Just like we will, when it’s our turn.’
I’m not sure I like the sound of that.
‘Fine,’ Harry says, exhaling deeply and dramatically. ‘But if I fall asleep halfway through, go on without me.’
Flags on the agenda or not, it’s nice to be out here, with something to do, knowing that there’s a ceasefire with the boys (for the time being, at least).
The sun is getting high in the sky now, shining down on us, making everything scorching hot – including our drinks. You can’t beat a cold can on a hot day, but all we have are warm-ish cans, with contents that are only getting warmer. A hot Coke doesn’t quite hit the spot in the same way as an ice-cool one, but it’s all we’ve got.
It’s frustrating to be staying in a luxury villa, and to not only be without all of the luxuries that should be included, but without basic necessities like a fridge.
‘I’m going to need a beer for this,’ Harry says, despite it not being midday yet.
‘I’m a bit hungry,’ Travis says. ‘Shall we go grab some stuff, before we start?’
‘Yeah, come on,’ Owen says.
The four of them head inside, to their lovely kitchen, to get their ice-cold drinks and their properly stored snacks.
Travis gives me a bit of a smile as he passes me. He reminds me of me, in that he generally keeps his head down and his mouth shut – although, if he’s really like me, he’s probably thinking a lot more in his head than he’s saying out loud. I’m curious about him, for some reason. I want to know more about him, about what he’s thinking… I’m not sure why though.
Lou is fanning herself with one of the cork coasters that are laid out around the firepit.
‘My gosh, it’s warm,’ she says.
‘Isn’t it,’ Nita replies, smiling joyfully, like the sun is her own personal energy source.
I’m slathered in factor 50 and wondering how hard it would be to drag one of the parasols over here, so I’m with Lou on this one. The cold pool looks so inviting right now. That’s exactly where I’d be if I didn’t have to do… this.
‘Is it weird that I’m nervous?’ Lou says.
‘You shouldn’t be with this round, this is my round, I’ve got us,’ Nita replies. ‘One of the benefits of being a luxury travel agent is knowing flags. They’re everywhere – brochures, websites, client forms. You learn them. I know my Barbados from my Bahamas, trust me.’
‘Well, that, plus how competitive you are – I’m hoping it will serve us well,’ Willow replies.
‘Good, because I don’t know my Buenos Aires from my El Salvador,’ I joke.
‘Buenos Aires is a city,’ Nita corrects me seriously.
‘I know, I was making a jo… you know what, never mind,’ I reply, laughing it off. ‘Wow, you really are competitive today.’
‘I’m only in it to win it,’ she replies.
The boys return in a chorus of laughter, clutching their beers. I don’t even like beer but I bet one would be so cooling right now. The condensation glistens on the glass bottles, mocking our warm cans of pop.
The four of them saunter back towards the firepit, looking like a low-budget Reservoir Dogs , thinking they’re oh-so cool. Owen gives me a wink as he sets the iPad in the middle of the group, between our two teams.
We sit on one side, the boys on the other, almost like we’re squaring off, like boxers meeting before a fight, or like we’re in some kind of Western standoff.
Nita rubs her hands together in delight as the first flag lights up the screen. Here we go.
The iPad screen glows with the first flag: green, white, and red.
‘Italy,’ Nita says, almost bored. ‘Easy peasy.’
The boys collectively groan, with Owen offering a slow, sarcastic clap.
‘Wow, amazing, you’re killing it,’ he teases.
I think we all knew that one.
Next up it’s the boys.
I bite back a grin as the next flag pops up – a tricolour of blue, yellow, and some kind of symbol in the middle. Nita’s smile sharpens which makes me think this is a harder one.
‘Moldova,’ Nolan says, without missing a beat.
Owen keys in the answer for him and it’s right.
As his teammates cheer him, I can’t help but cock my head curiously. I guess they have a friend who is good at geography too. Typical.
My eyes flick to Nita, whose confident expression falters for just a second. I don’t think she thought they were going to get that one.
The next flag appears – a yellow cross on a blue background. Nita doesn’t miss a beat. ‘Sweden,’ she says, and the iPad confirms it. We’re in the lead again.
It’s the boys’ turn again, and their flag is green, then white, then green again.
‘Nigeria,’ Harry says confidently.
‘Yeah, definitely Nigeria,’ Travis adds.
I tighten my grip on my warm can, just a little, because I had no idea on that one, but these boys are on it.
Owen keys their answer in, given that he’s the closest, and it’s correct. Again. How are they this good? I exchange a puzzled look with Lou. Nita being a flag expert makes sense, it’s her job, but it’s like all four of the boys are good at this. What are the chances?
The iPad flashes up another flag: it’s white, with red sort of triangles, with a blue edge… honestly? I feel like I’m seeing it for the first time in my life.
‘Nepal,’ Nita says confidently, like she could do this in her sleep.
Of course, it’s right.
The boys’ turn comes up again. This time, it’s a red, white, and blue horizontal tricolour. Owen leans forward, scratching his jaw theatrically before saying, ‘The Netherlands.’
He’s correct, and the boys erupt into cheers again. Nolan claps Owen on the back. ‘Masterclass,’ Harry tells him.
Oh, please.
The next flag for us is a green field with a crescent moon and star in white.
‘Pakistan,’ Nita says without hesitation.
Correct.
Another one for the boys.
‘Argentina,’ Harry and Travis both say at the same time.
Correct.
‘We should do this like pens,’ Owen suggests.
‘Pens?’ Lou repeats back to him.
‘Penalties,’ Owen says ever so slowly. ‘Like football. We’ll be doing this all day otherwise. So if you get one wrong, and we get one right, we win. If you get yours right, but we get ours wrong, you win. We both get them right or we both get them wrong, we do another round.’
‘Sounds good to me,’ Nita says. ‘It’s just too easy.’
I’m impressed by how good she is at this. I mean, I’m hopeless. I knew Italy, and Sweden – although that’s probably just because of Ikea. But I can tell by the look on Nita’s face that she has known them all so far. Long may it continue.
Our turn again – well, Nita’s turn at least.
I’m not even expecting to know them now so, when the flag pops up, showing green, red, and yellow stripes, along with a central yellow star, I’m not even bothered about being clueless. After the first couple, I felt like it was a weakness of mine, and something I could work on. Now I’ve realised that the flags that I don’t recognise far outnumber the ones I do, meh, what’s the point? We all have our strengths, and I don’t think geography will ever be one of mine.
‘Senegal,’ Nita says. ‘Final answer.’
I don’t think anyone is more surprised than she is to see that it’s the wrong answer.
‘Nope, it’s Cameroon,’ Harry informs her – and he’s not at all unhappy about delivering the news, he can hardly contain the smile on his face.
‘What?’ Nita says, leaning forward in her seat. ‘But it’s… oh, fuck. It’s the colours. It’s the same flag, but with different colours.’
‘Unlucky,’ Owen says, though he doesn’t even try to hide his smirk. ‘If we get this one, we win.’
Oh, God, here’s hoping they don’t. If Nita can’t get them all then the boys can’t, surely?
‘And if you lose, we go again,’ Willow reminds him.
‘Then let’s not lose,’ Harry says.
The flag appears on the screen: a striking diagonal red stripe cutting through a black background, bordered by white. I squint at it, as though getting a clearer look at it is going to make me suddenly an expert in flags of the world. I have no idea. I look to Nita who is smiling slightly now, which makes me think she knows it, and that she thinks there’s a chance the boys might not.
‘No way,’ she mouths at me.
But Nolan leans forward, his grin spreading across his face once again.
‘Trinidad and Tobago,’ he declares confidently.
And… it’s right. Shit, it’s right.
The boys roar in triumph, but Nita looks like she’s just lost her life savings.
‘How the hell do you know that?’ she demands. ‘Are you cheating?’
Nolan shrugs, still smiling.
‘Dwight Yorke. Legend – he’s from Trinidad and Tobago,’ he points out.
Lou’s brow furrows.
‘Katie Price’s ex?’ she says, confused.
Harry rolls his eyes.
‘Er, yeah, he’s also known for playing football,’ Harry says sarcastically.
Nita sits back, arms crossed, visibly fuming, sick to her core.
‘This doesn’t make sense. How are you all so good at this?’ she asks.
‘Football,’ Harry says simply, as though it’s the most obvious thing in the world.
Ugh. Football.
‘Or Football Manager,’ Nolan adds – whatever that is. ‘You learn where all the players are from when you’re scouting them.’
Owen claps his hands together victoriously, clearly beaming with pride at his boys’ efforts.
‘Amazing. We’re starting as we mean to go on,’ he announces. ‘Victory jump in the pool?’
He takes off towards the water, the rest of the boys whooping and following him.
Travis lingers behind for a moment, giving us an awkward shrug and an apologetic laugh. ‘We got lucky, with the football crossover,’ he says.
‘Thanks,’ Nita replies, though the tightness in her voice suggests otherwise.
Travis jogs off to join the others, who are already splashing around.
‘Shit, sorry, girls,’ Nita says.
‘Oh my God, don’t be daft,’ I insist. ‘I think I knew two.’
‘Yeah, you did far better than any of us could have done,’ Lou reassures her.
The boys climb back out of the pool, dripping water all over the paving stones. It’s no sooner landed when it looks like it’s drying from the heat of the sun.
‘Well, lads, I think we should celebrate,’ Harry announces, loud enough for us to hear, as he shakes water from his hair. ‘Why don’t we get ready and head to the nearest bar, have a few drinks with the locals, meet some ladies who appreciate real winners.’
Nita can’t resist taking the bait.
‘Well, good luck impressing any woman with a sense of smell,’ she replies. ‘You all absolutely reek of chlorine.’
‘Whatever,’ Harry replies to her. ‘Later, losers.’
The pack head inside, leaving us with the pool area to ourselves for a bit.
‘I hate them,’ Nita says simply.
‘We all do,’ Willow agrees. ‘We need to beat them, we really do.’
‘I’m sure we can,’ I say optimistically. ‘Today was just…’
‘…bad luck,’ Lou says, finishing my sentence. ‘They only did well because football has taught them so much about world geography.’
‘Yeah, we’re going to have to be smarter, moving forward, to make sure they don’t catch us out again,’ Nita says, folding her arms, and slumping back in her seat.
We really will, because I never want to see them this smug again. I’m all in now. This means war.