“Oh bullshit,” she snaps. “Get a reality check.”
“Just shut up and dish out the food Abbs and keep that opinion to yourself. Don’t say anything to Didge. She can like who she wants. I like Ben,” I reply.
“Get this. She kissed him last night on the lips on the dancefloor and then he broke away.”
I frown. “What… tongue kiss?”
“No, like a peck. But there was probably more that I missed.”
“And he pulled away?” I frown.
“Yep, totally.” She nods. “But then he was looking at her all doe-eyed all night, like he wanted more to happen but he didn’t make a move.”
“Hmm, I will ask Josh about it later,” I whisper as Adrian walks into the room.
“Morning ladies.” He smiles.
I smile broadly at someone who is fast-tracking his way to being one of my favourite people. “Morning, Mr Murphy, how was the gym?” I ask as Cameron walks in and takes a seat at the table.
“Yeah ok.” He flicks on the coffee machine.
“Go ask him now,” Abbie whispers over the bean grinder.
“Shhh,” I whisper. “Abbie, you are so punishing.”
“That’s why you love me,” She replies.
Joshua returns from his shower and the seven of us all take a seat. I place the large Spanish omelette in the middle of the table with the fruit and toast I have prepared, and everybody starts to tuck in. Joshua is sitting opposite me.
“What’s on the agenda today?” I ask.
Joshua swallows his food. “I thought we would go down and get you a motorbike licence.”
I look at him in horror across the table. “Why?” I answer.
“So we can go riding together,” he states matter-of-factly.
I screw up my face. “Ah, no, not happening. I could think of nothing worse.”
Joshua smirks. “What now? Why wouldn’t you want to ride a motorbike?”
“Because I hate them and these roads here are frigging dangerous. I don’t normally like to get killed on holidays,” I mutter as I bite into my toast.
Abbie, Bridget and Adrian smile.
“Wouldn’t you rather die doing something you love?” Joshua frowns.
“Exactly.” I point my fork at him and he smirks as he takes another bite of his food.
“How would you want to die then?” He raises his eyebrows.
I shrug. “So doing something I love right?” I question.
He nods as he continues eating.
I think for a moment. “I would like to die in my sleep or eating a Big Mac.”
Joshua screws up his face in disgust.
“I would like to die getting a head job,” Cameron interjects. “What a way to go.” He shovels more food into his mouth.
Ben laughs and Adrian rolls his eyes.
“I would like to die in Paris,” Bridget says, smiling. “Underneath the Eiffel Tower.”
Ben smiles warmly at Bridget and I drop my head to hide my smile at their interaction.
“What about you Josh-where would be your favourite place to die?” I ask.
“Next to you,” he replies quietly. I smile broadly and take his hand in mine over the table as I melt. The rest of the table breaks into moans of disgust at his gushy reply.
“What about you Murph? Where would be your favourite place to die?” Joshua asks.
He shrugs and takes a sip of his coffee. “I don’t know. I don’t think I have a favourite place.” He frowns. “Maybe here.”
“Don’t dare fucking die in my house.” Joshua shakes his head in disgust.
“That could be arranged you know,” Cameron says matter-of-factly. “Ben and I could knock you off in your sleep.” He drinks his coffee.
Adrian fakes a smile at Cameron.
“Can I get a motorbike licence Josh?” Abbie asks.
“Yes, of course. All three of you girls can. It will be fun and then we can ride around the island today.” He smiles.
My stomach drops in fear. This is going to end badly. I just know it.
Turns out I was right. I told them to listen to me. After taking three hours to get my motorbike licence Joshua was so appalled at my lack of prowess he wouldn’t let me drive one anyway. So I spent the afternoon on the back of his bike while everyone else had their own. We did have fun exploring the island-what a beautiful place it is… and the food is magnificent.
It’s now 6 pm. We have stopped at Kamala beach and have been tubing for the last hour. Tubing. Being towed behind a boat on a huge inflatable tube, now this is what I call enjoyment. I keep falling off and have to be dragged into the boat by the poor workers. Joshua has even pushed me off a few times. It’s every man for himself on this thing. The boys are doing everything in their power to push each other off at full speed. My stomach is sore from laughing, and I can’t remember having this much fun. The boat drivers are getting in on it and doing zig zags in the water to try and throw us off. Abbie’s bikini top even came off, much to Cameron’s delight. The boat slowly pulls in and we swim slowly to shore.
“Hold onto my back presh,” Joshua whispers as he goes under water.
“I can swim Joshua,” I splutter.