Chapter 7

They woke later than usual. Mairead rushed over to the kitchens, to find her two daughters in charge and sorting everything. They took one look at their mother and had their suspicions confirmed. “No wonder they were late if he did to her what he did to us.”

“What was that dear?”

“Nothing mother, where’s Rupert?”

“Just coming.”

“Again!?” Amelie said and the two girls dissolved into fits of laughter. Mairead began to realise that it wasn’t just the sailing holiday that they had engineered; somehow they had drawn her into their web.

“We’ll all have to go to confession.” was her response.

“Do we HAVE to go for a walk today?” one of the girls asked, and that brought her back to the present.

“Of course, it’s actually a good day for a walk. Not too hot.” It was actually a little misty, she would have to make sure they stuck together in case it was foggy on the top. Rupert walked in, he looked both tired and ready for anything, an odd combination.

“MORNING CAMPERS!” he shouted. A couple of girls looked up at him in surprise, most ignored this expression of bonhomie in the morning.

“Someone’s had his Weetabix.” Abigail said.

“He’s had something anyway.” Mary added. Abi looked at her, what was she missing? Had Rupert managed to hook up with Mary or Amelie? Surely not one of the other girls. She knew that Jo in his group was starting to have a crush, so was Susan. Anthea in one of the other groups was well shaped for fourteen and not averse to flaunting it. No, she was sure that Rupe wouldn’t. Maybe he was happy to have made it past halfway through.

They all crowded onto the bus, Anthea and Susan were sent back to get walking boots, not trainers. “But it’s an easy walk, you said so.”

“Go and get your boots!”

The walk around Derwentwater would take all day. Planning the route, Mairead decided to park up at the top. “If we walk from here, we can walk over the hills and down into Keswick, then have lunch in the park and walk back.” She was also thinking that would leave the option of getting the bus back for some of them.

Walking across the flood meadows was wet, there had been rain in the hills and the river was high. It had flooded into the meadows as it was intended to, and the footpath was no obstacle. There were large puddles left as the water receded. Some were ankle deep. Rupert gave Susan a piggy back; her boots were brand new and she was worried that getting them wet would ruin their appearance. “You know, they aren’t meant to be fashion items? They are practical and sensible. That’s the idea, anyway.” Susan said little, he had the feeling it was more that she would get into trouble at home for ruining her new boots. Across the river the ground began to rise.

And rise.

And rise.

It felt in places like they were on the climbing day again as the path went so steeply up the hill. The moved into a bank of mist or cloud and Abigail and Rupert went to the back to make sure no-one was left behind. “I’m glad about that. We can stop to make sure there’s no-one behind us.” Rupert said.

“Soooo tired out from last night?”

“Don’t know what you mean.”

“I know it wasn’t me, or Mary. I saw her in her own pod. Amelie?”

“Don’t know what you mean.”

“If not Amelie, then whh!” she stopped and looked at him “You didn’t?! Not ... Oh, no, you didn’t!”

“Don’t judge me. She wanted to. She ... well, Mary and Amelie asked me to.”

“Ahhhh, my hero. So caring. I bet you didn’t enjoy it at all.”

“Honestly? Of course I did. It would have been insulting not to.” And he meant it; Abi could see that. Damn, she thought, he really is God’s gift to women, because he doesn’t think he is.

Then they were above the cloud. The whole valley below was barely visible through a thin grey mist and they were looking across at hills on the other side as clear as day.

“It’s amazing. Like flying but we are walking.” said a girl. They walked on over Cat Bells and then down. It seemed they walked down for ages until they finally reached a small marina with a cafe. By popular consent, there was a break. Ice lollies were bought and girls lounged around feeling they had achieved something.

“They do know we aren’t even half way, don’t they?” asked Rupert.

“Shhh, let them enjoy the moment. Probably half way by effort, the second half is flatter.” replied Mairead. He was careful to still call her Mrs Craft. They watched the water bus come in, and a few thought that might be a good option. There was a vote, unusual enough for Mrs Craft to allow democracy into her organisation. Then she accepted the vote, which was unheard of. They would walk to Keswick and then get the water bus back along the lake to the far end where the minibus was parked. “Does everyone have enough money? Tell me if you haven’t. Abigail, could you check what it costs in the office, please?” Normally she would have done it herself, but she was delegating easier today. She was definitely more relaxed.

“You can book the places here, from Keswick to Lodore. Might be better, so they have the tickets and don’t spend the money.”

“Yes, Girls! So we’ll all book here. And then I’ll keep the tickets for safety.”

“Mum, we might get a special rate for a group.”

“Oh yes, good idea.” But there was only group rates for forward booking. So each girl went and bought their ticket for the 4pm boat and then handed the ticket to Mrs Craft.

“I’m sorry Rupert, you won’t have expected this, nor you Abi. We should reimburse you.”

“No, it’s good. I’ve enjoyed the walk and am looking forward to the trip back without limping.”

The walk to Keswick was flat and easy – still a few miles though. Then they were off the hook for a three hours. Most opted to go to the park first to have lunch, then they went off in their groups to explore. Once again, Rupert just let the girls decide where to go, it was their trip after all. They had got used to him now.

“Rupe. Can I ask you something?” he nodded. “When should I have sex?”

“Wwhat? I mean. What?”

“What age, I mean. My boyfriend says all his friends are having sex already. He says I’m a prude.”

“Do you love him?”

“I like him.”

“Do you love him?”

“No, I don’t think so.”

“Dump him. Is he your age?”

“Yes, well, a little younger.”

“Dump him. You wait until you love someone, and certainly wait until you are older.”

“Rupe? Would you sleep with me if I was older?”

“Not on this holiday, no. I’m meant to be looking after you, not taking advantage. And when you are older? I’d need to know you much better. Sex isn’t like buying an ice lolly, not for me anyway. It should be special.” He felt slightly hypocritical since he had slept with a woman double his age who he barely knew; but consoled himself that the message should be kept simple. ‘Shit! Are they going to ask questions like this at the Q&A?’ he thought.

Walking down to the boat piers after what seemed the longest time he had ever spent shopping – and it wasn’t like there were masses of shops in Keswick – he saw the blue flashing light and herded the girls off the road. It went past and he had a premonition. He hurried them down after the ambulance.

Mairead was looking concerned. One of the girls in Mary’s group had fallen off the pier and probably broken something, a leg almost certainly, a wrist possibly. Mary was distraught and a woman was telling her it wasn’t her fault, she had seen everything and the girl was just not looking. “They want a responsible adult in the ambulance. I have to go. I ... oh.”

“Abigail has passed her test, give me the key and I’ll pass it on.” The lie came easily to Rupert’s mouth, he was surprised how easily.

“Oh, that’s a relief. We’ll get a taxi, oh, but I’m meant to be cooking tonight.”

“Plans change. Don’t worry. Off you go.”

“Wait until you know something and then ring the parents.” Abigail suggested. She was looking at Rupe questioningly.

“You have enough for a taxi Mum? Good.” Amelie was the practical one.

She clearly wasn’t thinking straight. If she had been, Mairead would have realised that even if Abigail had passed, she wouldn’t have passed her PSV test. In fact, she hadn’t passed her test. She and Mary had started learning.

“Why did you say I had passed?”

“To get her off the hook. Now I can drive, and you can drive and Mary can drive.”

“Barely, for all three of us.” Abigail said. “And Mary is too upset.”

“Okay, so we can draw lots for who breaks the law, or if you hate the idea, I’ll just do it.” Rupert offered. He was aware of the risk.

“If you get caught, they’ll throw the book at you; attached to a big rock, tied to an anvil, with a bomb attached.”

“Thanks for that. But as long as I don’t get caught I’ll be fine, and I won’t get caught if I don’t have an accident, and I won’t have an accident. Okay?”

They drew lots, Abi got the short straw. “Shit! The ferry, come on!” Abigail, Rupert and Amelie all counted the girls onto the boat. “Double Shit! Mrs Craft has the tickets.” Amelie got up and went to speak to the captain’s assistant, a boy about the same age as they were.

“All sorted.” She was learning the joys of blond hair. She had smiled, explained the crisis, and allowed her eyes to redden a little. The boy simply told them all to come aboard; since she promised that they had paid (which they had), he would see to it that they were ticked off and allowed to travel. “Remind me to give him a peck on the cheek when we leave.” Rupert noticed that she had undone a couple of buttons on her shirt too; he was surprised that he had even noticed the reddening eyes when the view further down was so attractive; he pointed this out. “Oh, you taught me that – never trust to luck in a problem, you said that when we were sailing. Plan and have plan B ready too. I did.” He decided that he didn’t want to know what plan C might have been.

So the Guides were unaware of their lucky escape, they didn’t have to walk along the lake. The boat carried them and they all enjoyed the journey. All except the four who were in hurried consultations. “Mummy knows that I haven’t passed my test, she’d go apoplectic if I drove. But still if we have to...”

“No, if none of you are happy doing it, I’ll do it.” Rupert volunteered.