The One

Conchobar to Theodulf to Filtiarn

"Girls, let's go! It's already ten o'clock!" Anna called, standing firm at the front door, looking less than pleased. Almost immediately, both daughters echoed a resounding, "COMING!" from the top of the stairs that reverberated through the house.

In a flurry, they dashed down with their luggage, sprinting towards the car.

"Blimey, Mummy and Daddy! It's a three-week holiday, not a three-month expedition!" Karol remarked incredulously as she spotted the impressive array of three large and two medium-sized suitcases being loaded into the car. Whereas her sister, in a frenzy, pushed a hefty suitcase towards the driver, who struggled to keep up.

"Girl, these are essential versatile outfits I've selected! You wouldn't want me to show up in a fashion faux pas, would you?" Sharon shot back defensively, struggling with a particularly unwieldy piece.

"Okay, fashionista," she sneered, casting an amused glance at her sister before turning to James. "James, you and Jay can drive that car. I'm off with the swanky silver Mercedes over there." She pointed dramatically at the gleaming vehicle parked next to their black SUV.

With a devilish grin, she turned back to Sharon. "Sister, mind if I 'borrow' some of your fabulous gear? I mean, you'll hardly miss it!" With a swift hit on Sharon's arm, she bolted for the driver's seat, narrowly avoiding retaliation.

Seated and fastening her seatbelt, she couldn't help but beam at her sister's frantic efforts to keep the bags under control. "What time should we be at the airport, Sharon?"

"Our flight's at 11.30, so we've got about an hour before boarding," Sharon replied, her eyes scanning the e-ticket.

"Perfect timing,"

"Lol, Daddy, we all know you despise waiting around without doing something productive—else you'll lose your marbles," she joked, snickering at their father's knowing smirk.

"Language, Karol, language!" their mother admonished, casting a playful glare through the rear-view mirror.

"Sorry, Mummy!" she mumbled sheepishly. 'Oh, the irony of it, though. She gets on about my language but let her and Daddy be in a mood, and you can expect a wave of curse words like a tidal wave!'

Karol rolled her eyes, which was promptly met with a muffled laugh from her sister on her left. "Don't laugh, you piggy!"

"Just focusing on your driving, piglet," Sharon teased back, the banter making their spirits lift.

Their ride was a swift success as they arrived at the airport with ten minutes to spare. Everything seemed to be going according to plan. Once aboard their plane, each settled into their seat and began to occupy themselves.

At lunchtime, Sharon looked up from her meal, eyes sparkling. "Can I have a red wine? The oldest you've got, please," she asked the stewardess, her tone sweet as honey.

"Of course, Miss. Just a moment, please," the stewardess nodded, moving off to fulfil the order.

"What about you, Miss? Anything else you would like?" asked the second stewardess as she finished plating up the meals.

"I'll have a white wine, the oldest you have, too," Karol chimed in with a grin.

"You two really need to slow down on the wine," their mother interjected, half-teasing, half-serious, as she sipped her own red. "Let's try to save some energy for the road later."

After lunch, the tempting embrace of sleep beckoned. Karol endeavoured to take a quick power nap, barely surrendering to the bliss before her sister roused her.

"Karol, wake up!"

"Mmm, I'm up... I'm up. Have we landed yet?" she mumbled, eyes still heavy with slumber as she nestled deeper into her seat.

"Dude, the aircraft has been stopped for five minutes now! Yes, we've landed. We just need to disembark!" Sharon said, rolling her eyes, but a smile crept onto her lips.

Instantly, she straightened in her chair and glanced around, doing some light stretches while remaining seated. "Mummy, Daddy?" she asked urgently, turning to her right and finding an empty chair.

Sharon stood up, pulling her handbag from the overhead storage compartment. "They disembarked just now; Mummy wanted the Famous Amos cookies, and we're the last to go. Come on, let's get moving."

Karol nodded, her voice small. "Hmm, okay, let's go. Can you please grab my backpack?" She looked up at her sister, who shot her the familiar 'I'm done with your childish antics' look but complied, helping her with the backpack.

With a roll of her eyes, she handed over the bag and headed towards the exit of the aircraft while Karol trailed behind. "Wait! Just a quick stop at the loo before we hunt down our parents," she called after her.

As they wandered through the bustling airport, Sharon sighed in frustration. "Where the hell are they?"

she couldn't help but laugh, shaking her head. "Why do I feel like we're the parents here? They're just wandering around as if they're the direction experts."

"I know, right?" Sharon replied, spotting their parents in the distance. "There they are."

A disapproving sigh escaped as she observed their parents, who seemed blissfully unaware of time. "What time is it until our next flight?"

"4:15 at Gate 7. So, we need to walk five more gates," Sharon replied, glancing at the flight information screen. Just then, William took a few determined steps forward, a cookie in hand. "Okay, let's go! We've got thirty minutes."

From boarding to landing in Filtiarn City, everything went smoothly—fifty minutes from Theodulf to their destination. Once they landed, they navigated immigration, claimed their luggage, and settled the billing for their rental car before embarking on the hour-long drive to their hotel.

"I'm tired," Karol murmured, echoing her sister and mother as she stretched her arms next to her sister, who was driving.

As they cruised along, Anna yawned and suggested, "Let's order In-Room dining, yeah?"

Karol fidgeted with the audio system, her eyes brightening. "Yesssss!"

William looked out the window, smiling. "Tonight, let's regenerate our energy before our adventures tomorrow."

"Agreed 100%," both sisters chimed, excitement bubbling between them.

An hour later, the Randale family arrived at the luxurious five-star hotel and checked into their respective rooms. After freshening up, both sisters made their way to their parents' room for a late dinner, before returning to their own rooms, which were just four doors apart.