Chapter 32

“What is this shit? Are you part of the government?” The small unkempt girl said. Standing in the middle of the entry of the cabin with her dyed Red hair, lip and nose pierced. Obviously very tired from her long trip, dressed still in her leather jacket, sweatshirt and jeans, a pair of sneakers that were so worn out that they were liable to just fall off her feet. The near ninety-degree heat not fazing her.

Next to her was a taller girl with dirty blonde hair that obviously hadn’t seen water for a few days. Her state of dress was no better than the vocal girl that had entered the cabin.

This description matched all of the seven girls that were there. You got the feeling that once upon a time they were all able to turn heads in any room they were in, and maybe with a bit of self-worth, they could do that again. All looked slightly underweight and none of them actually looked healthy.

Answering the initial question Jon spoke to the group. “I don’t know, maybe you should tell me?”

“What the fuck is that supposed to mean?” The redhead continued in her accusing style.

“Well you booked to come here, trying to use 5 stolen credit cards which we blocked before Brianna stepped in with her family card,” Jon said as he perched on the back of the couch, keeping the conversation going, keeping the tired group standing. Jim and Tommy were standing on the other side, blocking the exit back out of the front door. Danny and Kym were to the side of Jon watching the exchange. “I’m not really sure why you have come here, to be honest. So maybe you should tell me why you have come to the ‘Be Yourself’ Camp and how did you find out about us?”

“How did you know how we booked? And if you’re that fucking clever you can maybe work out how we found you! Anyway were not in the ‘camp’, you’ve taken us prisoner in this fucking house!” The Blonde added.

“Believe me, you’re not prisoners. You can leave whenever you want. In fact, Jim here will take straight back to the airport if that’s what you wish. Somehow I get the feeling that you don’t really want that though do you?” Jon continued. “As to being in the house, I have done it keep you safe and get you straightened out. The agency guy that was following you wasn’t doing it for fun, I’m sure it won’t be long before he comes knocking!”

The girls all start to look nervous and were looking at each other not sure what to do next.

“Well let’s do a roll call and see if we can get past some of your attitudes. I will tell you now, swearing and being obnoxious is a sure-fire way to get yourself kicked out on your arse. When I call your name I want you to go and sit on the couches and will tell you what is going to happen from th...”

“You have no fucking idea who we are and what’s more you haven’t got a clue what we could do to you!” The mouthy red-haired ‘Leader’ sneered.

“On the contrary, Miss Toska, I know exactly who each of you is. Collectively I know exactly what the ‘Rainbow Pact’ think they are capable of.” The girls all froze with the realization that Jon knew. “So Robyn, why don’t we start with you, go and take a seat.” She did without argument this time, very wary of the man. Jon started to call all the names, “Brianna Spencer, Georgina De Souza, Henrietta Clark, Leanne Mendez, Carrie James and finally Sharon Plumber.” All the girls were sat at the couches, grateful to be off their feet finally. Tommy had gone out and came back with a couple of boxes of ingredients. Danny and Kym started to offer the girls drinks. The combativeness seemed to have left the girls as they let their barriers down and the adrenaline started to leave them. Jon could tell that they were tired but needed to get them to understand a few things.

“So know that you are sitting comfortably let’s begin with a couple of introductions, The Big guy you see over there is Tommy, our chef, he is going to get you some much-needed food. If there is anything that you don’t eat maybe know would be a good time to tell him.” The girls remained silent when Jon paused to give them a chance to say something. Tommy started to get the food ready as he didn’t have any special requests. “Jim here is one of the Joint Managers of the camp if there is anything you need, talk to him or his wife, Beth, who you will meet later. I noticed that none of you has brought any luggage so I have taken it upon myself to get Chrissy and Gail to go and get you some clothes that will be appropriate for your stay. Looking at you all, if you want to spend some time outside with the other guests, you will need to get yourself tidied up so I will also be sending over Claire and Sasha to help you get sorted out. You are safe here so give up on your taking on the world bullshit and spend some time being nice to yourself. There are three double bedrooms with enough beds for you to be comfortable. When the girls arrive, they will be bringing toiletries and cosmetics so you can get showered. I will come back later when you have had a chance to relax and we will talk. Any questions?”

“Are you going to let law enforcement know where here?” the dark-haired Leanne asked.

“If I was going to do that I wouldn’t have got rid of the agent that was following you!” Jon answered. “Kym, can you stick around and help please, the others should be over soon.” Kym nodded and Jon and the other guys left.

When the guys got back to the Warehouse, Little Marie had just arrived from Gail’s shop with a carload of stock. She had also been to Bath and Body to get essential wash kit as well as ladies essentials. While Beth, Sara, Gail & Chrissy were going through the bags to divide them into separate sizes for the new arrivals to be able to choose more easily, Marie was just stood mesmerized looking at the structure. The girls told me that they were all going over to the Cabin to help the new arrivals. Sasha & Claire had put some makeup kits together, Marie asked Gail if she could help out and stick around as she was a trained beautician. Gail looked towards Jon who just nodded back, before letting Marie know that if Beth and the rest had the store under control it would be ok. Everything was packed into Tommy’s pick up and then they made their way over.

CC, Nessa & Jane were looking after the remaining guests as well as directing the new arrivals. Click & Sharon were sat talking to Caitlyn, Sara, Connor, Fiona & Genja. Jon noticed that Jo was missing and asked Click were her daughter had got to.

“Well, I kind of think that she has her heart aflutter about her new student and decided to go take a walk. That she spent an extra half an hour getting ready, was a bit of a giveaway!” the woman all chuckled together at her explanation.

When everything seemed to be settled, Jon decided to get himself a lounger and relax with a drink for a bit. After a busy morning, he quickly found himself drifting off into never-never land.

Of the new arrivals that had arrived with the ‘Rainbow Pact’ girls, maybe the most eagerly awaited was Jaimie Burn’s girlfriend Liz. The whole Burn’s family had been waiting for her arrival, especially Dawn, who couldn’t wait for her adopted daughter to get there. Another female to talk too as well as showing the younger lady what had developed over the previous few days, was something to look forward too.

When Liz walked into the Clubhouse area, she was immediately smothered with hugs and cuddles. Jaimie was being extremely clingy to her and seemed to want to welcome in a very carnal way until he was interrupted by his mother and told to let the two women have some time together to get Liz settled and changed.

“Don’t you boys abandon Debbie and Missy just because Liz has arrived, go and show our friends some attention and we will be back soon” Dawn announced as she grabbed Liz and made her way towards there cabin. Once they were on their own they started to catch up.

“So how did you get on with the colleges?” Debbie asked.

“I still haven’t decided on anything, although some things have changed which I need to discuss with you,” Liz said.

“Oh, that doesn’t sound good!” Dawn answered.

“Well, that depends on you & Robbie! I don’t know how to say this so I will just blurt it out. Will you and Robbie unofficially adopt me for the next year before I go to college?” Liz asked, showing her nervousness and anxiety as silence filled the air after she stopped speaking.

Dawn had only been silent because of the shock of the question, as soon as she realised that Liz was waiting on her, she smiled and wrapped the young lady in a hug “Yes! Of course sweetie, you gonna have to tell me why though Liz? What will your folks have to say about this?”

“They know I was going to ask you while I was here, Dad has got a posting to USAF Mildenhall in the UK!” Liz answered. “They found out a week or so back and unless I could find somewhere to live my only option was to go with them. They leave a week on Saturday, they only told me after you left and we got in the car. To say that we had some long discussions was an understatement. Mom asked early on if there might be a possibility for me to stay with you knowing how much time I spent at your house. But if I will be getting in the way with you and Robbie then obviously that comes first.”

“I don’t know what’s going to happen with us, you’re the first person I have really discussed it with. You know I treat you like the daughter that I never had, that will always stay the same no matter what the future holds for you and Jaimie! With Steve and Simon had left the nest and the amount of time that Robbie isn’t home, it seems like it’s just the three of us anyway. Although, we have two co-conspirators since we have got here, Millie and Debbie! God, we are going to have a lot of fun over the next few days, I hope you are ready for it!”

Back at the Cabin occupied by the rainbow pact girls, Tommy had just left after feeding them so they were just the seven of them plus the girls that Jon had sent over to help. Beth’s motherly instincts started to kick in and she started to get them organised.

“So I will be honest that there is not a nice smell in this room, you girls need to start putting care into looking after yourselves. You ate that meal like it was the first proper meal you’ve had in a month and maybe you need a few more before you start looking healthy. That doesn’t mean that you can’t start to look after yourselves. There are showers in all the three bedrooms and Marie here has been kind enough to go get enough supplies for you to make you all look and feel descent.” Beth instructed. “If you require grooming of any kind, Marie, Claire and Sasha are very capable with most things. Claire can even cut hair so we might be able to make you all human enough to face the public.”

The seven girls were stunned into silence, they were all staring at Beth in disbelief. They had spent the last few years or months being self-sufficient without any input from any of their parents. In most of their cases, they came from very affluent families who thought good parenting meant to give them what they wanted as long as it didn’t interrupt their trips to the Hamptons or other destinations. In fact, it was only Leanne that had come from a stable family, being recruited into the group due to her exceptional network skills. Learnt from her father’s small computer store down in Houston.

It was Carrie that broke the silence, “Who the hell are you and what did you do with my mother?”

“My names Beth, and if you want to stay here you are going to listen to what I tell you. I will tell you that I won’t be taking any attitude or bullshit from you. I will be teaching a few lessons to you girls that maybe your mother should have and the first will be to start respecting those around you. And when you start respecting yourself you will find that we will show you the same respect.”

“And if we don’t?” Henrietta challenged.

“That’s easy, we drop all of you outside the gates and you carry on running!” Claire pipped up.

“I’m desperate to get the clothes off me, we haven’t stopped for three days. I don’t care what we have to do but I’m going to spend some time in the shower!” Georgina announced standing up.

“I’m with Georgie on this” Leanne added.

“Me too!” Both Brianna and Sharon added.

The other three finally realised that they were all too tired to fight. Their body language changed immediately looking deflated and worn.

Claire took the edge out of things, “We have made up packs of shampoo, conditioner, moisturiser and Body wash. We have Nail clippers and files, Acrylic nails if you want us to them for you, Make up of all tones and colours if you want to use it. We have scissors and razors if you require them. So does anyone want a trim or style?”

“Well if we are going to do this, I might as well jump in with two feet! Do you think you could do something with this mop?” Robyn asked with a surprising amount of hope in her voice.

“Oh, this is going to be fun!” Claire exclaimed. “By the time I’m finished you will look like a new woman!”

With that, the fun began.

Jo had taken a walk around the perimeter of the fencing. She had heard Carl talking to Jon the night before and new that he was due to be working on clearing some of the shrubs. After starting at the Gatehouse she had walked up the edge. She laughed to herself when she saw Carl working on an area that was parallel to the Warehouse. She had actually taken time to think about what she would look good in and had decided on a short tight skirt and equally figure-hugging halter neck top. She had laughed at herself when she had stood in the mirror. She couldn’t believe the impact her student had made on her in the brief meeting they had. She was conscious of what Jon had said to her about Carl slightly keeping out of things at the camp. Unfortunately, she had a problem, this guy excited her!

She couldn’t help but laugh when she did finally spot him, he happened to be working on a gap parallel with the warehouse. He was cutting away tree branches and pulling things away. He was shirtless and as walked closer she was drawn to the perfect muscle sculpture she was looking at, in fact when she got twenty feet behind she just stopped and stared at him. She briefly thought about Mark, the husband she sent home two days ago and couldn’t help but think that she never felt the lust for Mark as she was doing for Carl at this moment. That told her many things and the main point was she was right to end the farce. Mark was special and always would be but when a near stranger can make her feel this way. She still planned to go and visit her in-laws and husband as soon as Fiona got things sorted for her Mom.

Wanting to get Carl’s attention she called out to him, “Oh Hiya!”

“Hi Jo, did I get it wrong? Were we supposed to meet today?” Carl asked concerned he had cocked up already.

“No Carl, I just decided to take a walk.” Jo lied, but a lie that made Carl relax and she saw his eyes start to sparkle as he smiled at her. “So what are doing here?”

“Jon wants this area cleared so we can have the new road to the Warehouse,” Carl explained. “It’s quite funny really as there are still parts of this park that I haven’t seen yet. I’m supposed to be in charge of the grounds but it’s huge!”

“Everything around here is big,” Jo added. “Do you think it’s too much for you?”

“I really don’t know, it depends on what Jon has in mind for me to be doing. If I’m honest, I think Jon only gave me the job to get me from under my folks. I don’t know if he told you but I’ve had some issues in the past. People think I’m stupid but I’m not I just don’t know some stuff. It used to get me angry when they called me on it that made folks scared of me. I couldn’t help it when I got angry but I don’t want people to be scared of me!” Carl said being surprisingly candid. “Jon was different, he isn’t scared of me. In fact, he put me on my arse when I tried to lash out. He knew I had a problem but wanted to find out why instead of running away and thinking I’m something that I’m not. Then he goes and gives me this job, with a big shiny truck. If Jon thinks I can do this then I trust him, I sure ain’t gonna give up until I’ve done all I can.”