Page 102 of Atticus Arnott's Great Adventure

‘Where’s Caitlin?’ Mary asked as she joined Maeve.

‘With lover-boy in the jacuzzi.’ Maeve waved her hand to the side of the pool, where a smiling Caitlin sat in a bubbling inferno with Luis.

Sprawled out beside Atticus, Cheryl, in her tankini, smoothed suncream onto her legs. ‘Want a squirt?’ she asked. ‘It’s factor fifty and will stop your wrinkles.’

‘It’s a bit late for that.’ Atticus tilted his hat.

Ruby appeared and throwing down her beach bag, stepped out of her denim dungarees and sat beside Cheryl. ‘There are more folks arriving,’ she said. ‘I just saw a people carrier pulling up outside one of the chalets.’

‘The more the merrier,’ Cheryl said and held out her tube to Ruby. ‘Be a love and do my back, would you?’

‘Is Arthur alright? Ruby asked. She noticed a commotion at the pool where several members of the senior squad were gathered around Arthur.

‘I think he’s split his Speedos.’ Atticus chuckled.

Hands reached for towels as Arthur, covering his modesty, was assisted from the water.

‘You’re a pool shark, Uncle Arthur,’ Jake said andhelped him to a seat beside Atticus. ‘That last leg kick was epic.’

‘I’ve nearly sliced me unmentionables in two.’ Arthur winced and clutched his towel to cover the gaping hole in Erik’s designer swimwear. ‘Have you got a needle and thread?’

‘Anyone fancy a glass of sangria?’ Ruby asked.

Hands shot up but Atticus tapped Jake and Maeve’s down. ‘They’ll have a Coke,’ he said as staff from the animation team, dressed in festive outfits, encouraged the children to the stage.

Mary went to help Ruby and carried a tray of drinks as they made their way back. The sun was fierce and Mary, squinting her eyes, wished she’d worn her sunglasses as she navigated her way.

‘Oops!’ she called out as she accidently bumped into a man who’d suddenly appeared before her. ‘I’m so sorry, I can hardly see where I’m going.’

‘Let me help you,’ the man replied and held out his hands.

‘O.M.G!’ Mary screamed and almost dropped the tray.

Ruby, realising the danger, swooped low and caught it.

‘MUNGO!’ Mary gasped. ‘What on earth?’She took a step back and squeezed her eyes shut then opened them to stare at the figure before her. ‘Is itreallyyou?’

‘Yes, it’s me.’ Mungo laughed. ‘We’ve just arrived. I asked the receptionist where you might be; she was quite offhand and garbled in Spanish. I couldn’t understand her, but I thought I mightfind you all here by the pool.’

‘WE?’ Mary rubbed her eyes as if to reaffirm what she was seeing.

‘Helen and Eliza are here too,’ he said. ‘Look, over there.’

Mungo pointed and Mary saw her sister-in-law and niece hugging Atticus and Jake.

‘Well, I never.’ Mary shook her head. Almost speechless, she linked her arm through her brother’s. ‘We’d better go and join them.’

Atticus was on his feet. At first, he thought he was imagining things. Was that really Helen and Eliza coming toward him? But as they got closer and ran to wrap him in a huge hug, he knew that their arrival was real.

‘But where’s Mungo?’ Atticus asked.

‘I’m here, Dad,’ a voice behind him called out and Atticus turned to see Mungo and Mary.

Atticus glanced from one to the other. ‘Did you know?’ he asked Mary.

‘Hadn’t a clue – I’m as surprised as you,’ Mary said, slowly recovering and beginning to grin.

Mungo reached out for his dad’s hand. ‘I’m sorry,’ he simply said.