The Gap Year

Chapter 1

"Do you need some help, Dear?" the kind hearted lady in her all white Reebok trainers and neon bum-bag peered down at me. 'Would you like me to find a Representative; I'm sure they'll know what to do?'

I stared in to the steel basin of the toilet and gagged forward but nothing came out.

'I am a Representative and so I know for a fact that they won't know what to do, but thank you for the offer.' I mustered a smile in an attempt to appear grateful.

Once more I am here, in this public toilet, my knees reddened from kneeling too long on the ceramic floor, my body choking in even more sweat than usual, as I again struggle to seek solace from this never ending heat stroke forward slash general hatred towards the public, which has smothered me and become my life ever since I arrived here. So just how a representative can help me I'm not sure? By burning this entire over crowded cesspit down, that's how. A cesspit that the Greek Authorities have somehow managed to convince us is an airport and gateway to this otherwise otherworldly emerald isle. Kerkyra Airport. Or Corfu to you and me; the European package holiday maker and said brands employees. Welcome to Hell. A place where your luggage won't turn up, where the flights are always delayed (don't bother paying extra for a day flight), and something, anything, will ALWAYS break down. A place where no one will hear you scream, "I'm a Representative, get me out of here!!!!". Welcome to Kerkyra...

'Emma, if you want to be a Rep then you need to accept that you'll be dealing with people in an airport.' God, Dave the Head Rep is so condescending, just because he gets to wear a shirt and tie when the rest of us have to wear an aertex. How Katie can even go near him I haven't a clue since he's such a cretin with his cartoon character over gelled quiff and Desperate Dan chin. Yuck.

'But I'm not designed to work night shifts.' I grimaced at him.

'Well if you want to be a Dr, Miss Clever Clogs, then you better get used to it.'

'I should be working the cabins at Lottie's father's ranch in Kruger right now,' I sobbed, ignoring him, 'or pouring bottles in wine in Napa!' My head reached further in to the toilet. Maybe if I stick it in far enough in I can drown myself?

'Well lucky for you, you get to work for Select Holidays instead. Although if you don't start adhering to our Customer Service Charter sharpish then you won't have a job at all. So stand up, wash your face and get to the front of the Newcastle Flight 50 queue. They've got a three hour delay and need drinks vouchers. No sandwiches though; they're not until five hours is up, remember?'

'The Newcastle queue?' I coughed.

'Yes, the Newcastle queue.' Dave the Head Rep,s thick estuary accent repeated, his chin sticking out and his ear tilted like he'd gone deaf or something. He is so common.

'But I thought you were going to keep me on the London flights? You know I can't understand a word of those North Country accents. They're always talking about some Toon or other. It's all quite strange really.' All toons and looney toons, just like this island!

AUTHORS NOTE: thanks so much for taking the time to read the first chapter of The Gap Year, I do hope you continue. This is a fan fiction and will feature Harry and Liam, but is primarily about Emma Watson and her time in Corfu - an experience I have had many dreams of having!

PS - please be a good egg and give me a vote and tell your friends all about this Kooky tale.