“One last ride then?” Mark asked the group as they stood in front of the
dragon rollercoaster. Both groups had both finally managed to get out of the
maze. Mark and Rose won in the end, despite Ben and Chloe’s cheating, and the
fact that they walked around the middle in a circle at least four times before
they worked out how to get through to it. Now, however, time was ticking away,
and they had just enough time for a final ride before having to leave the park
and start the journey home. So they’d decided to go on about the only ride they
hadn’t done so far: the rollercoaster.
“Oh, I don’t wanna go home.” Chloe said sadly.
“Me neither, can’t we just stay here forever?” Rose asked.
“Well we could try, but I think they’d probably kick us out when they
shut the park up.” Ben pointed out.
“Not if we hid.” Rose said.
“Oh we should so do that!” Chloe agreed.
“Not sure I’m for that idea.” Ben said.
“Why not?”
Ben just looked at Chloe.
“It’s a perfectly reasonable, serious idea!”
“Uh-huh…”
“It is!” Chloe looked at the expression on Ben’s face. “Okay, maybe it’s
a little bit impracticable…” she conceded.
“A little bit?”
“Come on, let’s do this last ride before it starts to rain.” Mark said,
looking up at the sky.
“Might have worked.” Chloe said as the four of them walked up the path
and joined the queue.
“Course it would.” Ben said, putting his arm around Chloe.
“Don’t be so patronizing.” She said.
“I wasn’t!” Ben protested. “Can I not agree with you?”
“Shall we go and hide?” Chloe asked, looking straight at Ben.
“I, um, there might not…”
Chloe held a hand up. “I’ve heard enough.” She said.
There were very few people in the queue as it was nearly closing time,
so in no time Chloe, Ben, Mark and Rose were at the front waiting to get on the
ride.
“I’m not sure I wanna do this y’know.” Ben said, getting on after Chloe
and sitting down.
“It’ll be fun!”
“It looks really scary.” Rose said.
“Try being at the front!” Ben said, looking behind him to where Mark and
Rose were pulling the black plastic harnesses over their heads.
“It’s not scary, even though we’re right at the front…” Chloe said. “No,
it’ll be fab!”
“I think I’m just gonna sit here with my eyes closed.” Ben said.
“You can’t do that! What’s the point of being at the front if you’re not
gonna look?”
“Are you gonna scream really loudly in my ear?” Ben asked.
“Yes.”
“Great. Yet more things to look forward to.”
“Bet you scream.”
“I will not scream! I’m a maaaaaaaaan.” Bern said, grinning at Chloe.
“He’ll scream louder than you Clo.” Mark said. “He’s such a girl.”
“I hate you.” Ben said to Mark. “Did I mention that before?”
“Possibly a couple of times, but I don’t tend to pay
too much attention to you.”
“Your cap’ll come off.” Chloe said to Ben.
“Huh?”
“When we go upside down, your cap’ll fall off.”
“It goes upside down?” Mark asked. “Right that’s it,
I’m getting off.”
“You stay where you are.” Rose said.
“It won’t.” Ben informed Chloe. “It’s one of those
special caps. It’s cemented to my head.”
Chloe didn’t say anything, but reached over and pulled
the cap easily off Ben’s head.
“Apparently the cement’s worn off.” Ben said, running
a hand through his hair. “Give it back!”
“You’ll lose it if you wear it.” Chloe said, chucking
the cap with their bags on the other side of the rollercoaster. “You can have
it afterwards.”
“You’re so mean.”
“Your hair looks fine.” Chloe said by way of reply.
“What? I didn’t even mention my hair!”
“I can see the panic in your eyes.” Chloe said with a
grin.
“Oh, here we go!” Mark said as the rollercoaster started up and they moved
out of the ride station.
Soon it was in full flow and they were all shouting and screaming their
way through the loops, bends, dips and corkscrews.
And then all of a sudden, it was over. It was like the end of the ride
had just crept up on them and pounced. It was time to get off the ride. Time to
go home.
“Wow!” Rose said as she staggered away from the rollercoaster. “That was
some ride.”
“Yeah.” Chloe said.
“Uhhh, I think I’m gonna be sick.” Ben commented.
“Ew, keep away from me then!” Chloe made a face.
“Oh it’s so nice to know that my girlfriend is so caring and
considerate.” Ben said sarcastically.
“Would you want me throwing up all over you?” Chloe asked.
“Good point. I think I’m just gonna go over here and be sick then.” Ben
said.
Chloe shoved him in the side. “You’re fine, stop being such a wimp!”
“Charming.”
The group were silent for a while, contemplating the fact that the day
was over and in a few hours, they’d be going their separate ways. As they
exited Legoland and made their way across the car park, the vehicle that was
waiting for them, started up. It was a different car this time, a smaller
people carrier, in bright red. Chloe, Ben, Mark and Rose, walked slowly towards
it and climbed in. They chose their seats (Ben and Chloe in the furthest back
row of seats again) and collapsed in a tired heap into them. The car started
and began the long drive to Chloe’s house in the Forest of Dean. Within
minutes, all four people were asleep and dreaming. None of them noticed when
they got stuck in traffic on the motorway, when they stopped at a service
station to get petrol or even when they passed extremely noisy roadworks. They
were so tired after the events of the past day that they slept soundly the
whole way. All in all, it took two and a half hours to get to Chloe’s house, so
by the time they drove down the hill into the small village she lived in, it
was half past 6.
“Is anyone still awake back there?” came the chauffeur’s voice from the
drivers section.
There was no reply.
“Hello? Is anyone gonna tell me where I need to go now?” he shouted a
little louder.
Still no-one answered.
Spotting a car park, he drove the car into it and turned off the engine.
As soon as the car stopped, Chloe woke up. She looked out of the window and, seeing
that they were in a place she recognised, sat up from where she’d been leaning
on Ben. She leant over the driver’s seat and tapped him on the shoulder. He
turned round and smiled.
“Oh good, you’re awake. Can you tell me where to go next? We’re here,
right?”
“Yep, this the place. My house is basically just up the road. Literally
a five second walk, so you can just drop us off here if you want.” Chloe said.
“Are you sure?”
“Yeah, this is great. Thanks for bringing us up here. You don’t mind
hanging around for a bit do you? I think Ben and Mark are gonna stay for a
little while.”
“No, that’s not a problem.”
“Oh great, thank you. You could come back to my house for a coffee or
something if you want. Get something to eat if you’re hungry.” Chloe offered.
“No, I’m fine. I don’t mind sitting here.”
“Are you sure?” Chloe asked.
“Yeah. Go on, you go and make the most of your time. I’ll be waiting
here for Ben and Mark when they want to go back.”
“Thanks.” Chloe said gratefully before turning round to address the more
difficult task of waking Ben. Mark and Rose up.
She decided to wake Ben first but before she did, she took a minute to
watch him sleeping. He looked so sweet just lying there peacefully, slouched
against the window.
“Ben? Come on, wake up, we’re here.” She said into his ear.
She smiled at him as his eyes slowly opened and he came back to earth.
“We’re here.” Chloe said again.
Ben looked out of the window.
“It’s nice.” He said sleepily.
“Come on, get up, I wanna show you around my house.” Chloe urged. “And
we’ve gotta wake up these two.” She added, gesturing towards Mark and Rose,
heads resting against each other.
Ben sat up, rubbed his eyes and stretched.
“Just one thing before we do.”
“What?”
Ben moved closer to kiss her and Chloe responded, wrapping her arms
around his neck as he put his arms around her waist.
“I’ve had a lovely day babe.” Ben said when they broke apart.
Chloe smiled. “Me too, it’s been brilliant.”
“We’ll have to do it again sometime.” Ben said, a hint of a question in
his voice.
“Yep, definitely.”
Ben smiled. “You better wake those two up then. I wanna see your house!”
“Okay. Waking up being taken care of. Rose, Mark, wake up!!” she said
loudly.
Ben nodded approvingly. “Good technique.”
“I practice.”
“What?” Rose said drowsily.
“We’re here.”
“Oh, really? Great!” Rose said, suddenly perking up. She turned to Mark
and shook him gently. “Mark, wake up.”
Mark opened his eyes slowly. “Huh?”
“We’re at Chloe’s house.” Rose informed him.
“Oh, okay.” He said, yawning but pulling himself off the seat and
getting out of the car after Chloe, Ben and Rose.
They got Chloe and Rose’s bags out of the boot and stood at the side of
the road, waiting for the cars to go past so they could cross.
“Okay, cross!” Chloe instructed, linking hands with Ben and walking
across the road. Once on the pavement, Chloe led them up the path in the
direction of her house.
“Mum’s not gonna be there so you don’t have to worry about that.” she
reassured Ben.
“Why? Is she really scary?” Ben asked.
“No! She’s lovely. Isn’t she Rose?”
“Yeah, she’s really cool.” Rose confirmed.
“I just thought you might be worried about meeting her for the first
time seeing as we haven’t been going out for very long.” Chloe continued.
“People are meant to make a big deal outta meeting the parents.”
“What do you mean meant to?” Ben asked with a smile.
“Well I don’t think it’s really a big deal, but in films and stuff it’s
always ooooh, meet the parents, scary!”
“And you don’t think it is?”
“Nope. Meeting the friends is more scary than meeting the parents, I
think.” Chloe said.
“Really?”
“Yeah! Waaaaaay more scary!”
“Why?”
“It might just be me, but I’m not that much of a people person, I get
nervous around people I don’t know.”
“But you don’t know the parents either.” Ben pointed out.
“Yeah but they’re grown-ups. It’s different.”
“I’m a grown-up!” Ben said.
Chloe looked at him. “You?”
“I am!”
“But you’re the baby of the band.” Chloe teased. “You’ll never be a
grown-up!”
“You have no idea how much I regret saying that.” Ben said.
“Aww look at his cute ikkle baby face.” Mark said, pulling at one of
Ben’s cheeks.
Ben slapped his hand away. “Get off!” he said. “You are such a pain!”
“I know.” Mark said. “But you get wound up so easily, it’s just the most
fun!”
Ben made a face at Mark and turned back to Chloe. “Anyway, we were
talking about your mum. Would she not approve of us?” he asked worriedly.
“No, she won’t have a problem with it. Absolutely not at all. She’ll
love you anyway.”
“Oh good.” Ben smiled.
“It’s really nice here Clo.” Mark observed, looking around him at the
trees, stream and wildlife lining the path they were walking up.
“I know, it’s pretty isn’t it?”
“You’re lucky. When I look out of my window in the morning, I get taxis,
traffic lights and blocks of flats.” Ben told her.
“Well come and live with me then!” Chloe suggested.
“I’d love to, believe me, I’d love to live somewhere you can just go for
a walk or actually get some fresh air. It really sucks sometimes, living in
London.”
“Don’t you like it then?” Rose asked.
“Nah, it’s okay, but I don’t chose to live there. I have to. I’d much
rather live in the countryside.”
“Yeah, when a1’s over, I’m gonna live in the country.” Mark said.
Chloe and Rose suddenly looked horrified at the prospect of a1 ending.
“Don’t worry, it won’t be for a long time yet. Not until we’re all at
least 50!” Mark laughed.
“Ooh, here we are then.” Chloe said excitedly as they reached the top of
her cul-de-sac. The gates had been left open and so they walked through with
Chloe leading the way.
“Wow, it’s really cool here.” Ben said. “Like a museum or something.”
“A museum?”
“Well, it’s really… what’s the word? Begins with p, I think.”
“Picturesque?” Mark offered.
“Yes, that.”
“Aw thanks! Mine’s this one right at the end.” Chloe said, pointing
towards her house.
“How come yours is bigger than the others?” Mark asked.
“Coz it’s two houses joined together.” Chloe explained.
“Oh. Was it like that when you moved here?”
“Yeah. I think it’s been like that for ages.”
“How long have you lived here?” Mark seemed genuinely interested.
“Four years in November.” Chloe answered, going to the first front door
and getting the key out of her bag. She paused before opening the door.
“Hang on, Mark, you’re allergic to dogs aren’t you?” Chloe asked.
“Yeah.”
“Um, well, I’ve got a dog…” Chloe didn’t really know what to say.
“Oh it’s okay, I won’t die or anything. I’m allergic to cats but I’ve
got two, so I don’t mind.” Mark said.
“Are you sure? I’ll try to stop her jumping all over you but she’s a bit
excitable.” Chloe warned.
“It’s fine, don’t worry.” Mark reassured her.
With that, Chloe turned the key in the lock and pushed the door open.
“Hello sweetheart!” Chloe said, as she was greeted by a very happy dog.
“How are you darling? Are you alright? That’s a good girl, stay down.” She
cooed, fussing over Ellie, her brown three year old lurcher, and stepping
further into the room so Rose, Mark and Ben could come in.
Ellie noticed the visitors and immediately rushed over to see them.
“Ellie! Stay down!” Chloe said crossly as Ellie proceeded to jump all
over everyone, wagging her tail furiously.
“She’s so cute!” Mark said, bending down to pat her and getting a big
lick.
“Yeah, sorry, she’ll calm down in a minute. Ellie, come here!” Chloe
called. “Ellie.” She repeated sternly and the small brown dog obediently
stopped molesting Rose, Ben and Mark and went over to where Chloe was standing
by the door.
“I’ll be back in a minute, I’ll just let Ellie out. Stay here.” Chloe
said to the three of them and disappeared out of the room.
“Woah, the ceilings are low in here.” Mark noticed.
“Oh yeah, you’ll have to be careful not to knock yourself out!” Rose
said smiling.
Chloe came back in.
“Right, does anyone want a drink or something to eat or anything?” she
asked.
“I’ll have a coffee if you’ve got any.” Ben said.
“Yeah, I think so. Mark? Oh come into the kitchen, you can see what
we’ve got.” Chloe said, leading them into the small kitchen.
“Okay, um, we have water, nasty cheep coke, orange squash, apple squash,
blackcurrant squash… I think that’s about it. Sorry, we don’t have much.” She
apologised.
“That’s okay, I’ll just have water.” Mark said.
“Rose? Do you want a drink?”
“Yeah. Water as well please.” Rose said, smiling at Mark.
Chloe started to look very busy and went over to the cupboard above the
microwave and looked through the various jars in there. “Okay… coffee… um, is
this okay?” she asked Ben, pulling out a jar of Maxwell House.
”Yeah, that’s fine.” Ben said, nodding. “Clo, you don’t have to wait on
us you know. We’re quite happy to help.”
“No, it’s fine, you just sit down.” She said, gesturing towards the two
kitchen stools.
Ben and Rose sat down, while Mark stood leaning against the cupboards.
Chloe filled up the kettle, turned it on and went to the opposite
cupboard to get a mug out.
“What do you want? You can have my ‘Chloe’ mug, my purple and green mug
or my ‘Burger Star’ mug.”
“Oooh the Burger Star one please.” Ben said with a smile. “Very classy.”
“Okay… do you have milk and sugar in it?” she asked him.
“Yeah, both please. Two sugars.”
Chloe went to the fridge and got the milk out ready. Then she spooned
some coffee into Ben’s chosen mug and added two spoonfuls of sugar. Then she
went back over to the other side of the kitchen to get cups for Rose and Mark.
“Okay, you two can either have pink, yellow, blue or green.”
“Pink please!” Rose said quickly.
“I’ll have blue I think.” Mark chose.
“Okay.”
Chloe took the pink and blue plastic Ikea cups out of the stack and
filled them with water from the tap. She walked over to Rose and Mark and
handed them their drinks.
“There you go.” She said, going back over and filling the green cup for
herself.
The kettle clicked to indicate it had boiled so Chloe poured boiling hot
water into Ben’s mug and added milk. She gave the mug to him and put the milk
back in the fridge.
“Thank you.” Ben said. “You can slow down now.”
“What?” Chloe looked at him puzzled.
“You can stop rushing around us. We’re not expecting silver service or
anything.” Bens smiled at her. “Come and show us round the house.”
“Okay.” Chloe agreed. “Right,” she said as she walked out of the kitchen
into the dining room. “this is the dining room…”
Chloe showed Mark, Rose and Ben all round the downstairs of her house
and out into the garden. She showed them the pond, much to Mark’s envy and then
took them back into the house and upstairs.
“That’s the toilet,” she said, pointing to the room to the right of the
top of the stairs. “and that’s mum’s room and my brother’s, and this,” she
paused for effect. “is my room. Are you ready to be very scared?” she asked
Mark and Ben.
“I dunno, Mark, are we ready?” Ben asked.
“Ooh, well, I’m actually feeling quite brave today, what about you?”
Mark said seriously to Ben.
Chloe started to laugh. “Oh shut up!” she said. “Okay, you have to close
your eyes and I’ll take you in.”
“Alright…” Ben said uncertainly.
“Don’t worry, it’s just so you get the full effect.” Chloe explained.
“And you Mark.” She instructed.
Ben and Mark both closed their eyes and Chloe opened her bedroom door. She
took Ben’s hand and led him into her room, leaving him in front of her big
wooden cupboard doors and going back for Mark. She took his hand as well, much
to Rose’s displeasure, and led him to the same place. Rose came into the room
after them and closed the door. She then sat down on Chloe’s futon sofa.
“Okay, you can open your eyes now.” Chloe told Ben and Mark, who
immediately did so.
“Wow!” was Mark’s initial reaction to what he saw. “What a cool room!!”
Chloe smiled with pride and looked to Ben who was still taking in the
excessive amount of a1 posters covering Chloe’s walls.
“What do you think?” she asked.
“It’s… really cool. A bit scary with all the posters and everything, but
it’s very you.” Ben said. “Just how your room should be, from what I know of
you anyway, which isn’t much.”
“I did warn you about the a1 stuff. You like it then?” Chloe asked
hopefully.
“I love it, it’s really really nice. Much nicer than mine, my room’s really
boring.” Ben answered, still looking around him, taking in his new surroundings.
“You can sit down if you want.” She offered.
Ben and Mark went over to where Rose was sitting and joined her on the
futon. Chloe turned the radio on and sat down next to Ben.
“So, what do you want to do?” she asked.
Ben took both of her hands in his. “I want you to relax.” He said.
“I am relaxed.” Chloe protested.
“No you’re not. Stop worrying about what we think and if we’re okay, and
just enjoy the fact that we’re here. It’s not for very long.” He reminded her.
“I’m sorry, I just really want you to enjoy yourselves I guess. I don’t
want you to think my house is rubbish or that I’m not being a proper host.”
“We don’t Clo. And we are having a good time. It’s lovely here.” Mark
said.
Chloe smiled and leant back against Ben. “Okay.” She gave in.
“Good.” He said, putting his arms around her middle.