The Secret of Us // Oscar Piastri

50

Snippets from Casey's week in Monaco

George and Carmen's place in Monaco was breath taking. Casey couldn't be more jealous of her brother for living in a place like this. It was a big and gorgeous house with a pool in its garden and everything. It was even nicer than the Vila she'd stayed in when she'd been in Monaco a few months ago.

It was late afternoon on Monday and Casey was sprawled out on a sun-lounger by the pool, soaking up the monegasque sun. She'd arrived in Monaco a few hours ago with George and Carmen, who were now picking up Tommy from his Mum's in Nice. Casey only spoke a little French from when she studied it in school, but it only came in handy when she saw Tommy because he didn't speak much English. He knew a little, but not much.

It wasn't long until an adorable French accent sounded through the garden, along with the sound of little foot steps. "Casey!" He shouted out, making Casey burst up from her seat and scoop the little bundle of energy in her arms. Casey hadn't seen him since he was 4, so she wasn't sure if he'd remember her or if he'd be shy. So she was a bit surprised at how excited he seemed to be seeing her. "Tommy!" Casey exclaimed, smiling down at the brunette child. "He was very excited when we told him you were here." Carmen said, hanging out from the floor-length glass doors that led into the kitchen. "Yeah, he wouldn't shut up about you in the car." George added from behind her.

"Can we to swimming?" The little boy in her arms asked in French and Casey was only just able to make out what he'd asked. It helped that he was looking at the pool behind her. She was quick to tell him yes and before she knew it, he was running back into the garden from the house having changed into his swimming costume. Casey could see him coming up behind her but she was she still pretended to be shocked when he pushed her into the pool.

Casey spent hours with Tommy in the pool. Although it didn't feel like it. It wasn't until Carmen called them both in for dinner that she realised how long she'd been swimming with Tommy for. Casey and Tommy dried off on the patio with some towels George had brought out before sitting down at the outdoor table that Carmen had set. "Did you have a nice time swimming, Tommy?" Carmen asked the little boy at the table in perfect French as she plated him up some food. Carmen and George had made some kind of mediterranean salad, which Casey had to admit looked delicious. Tommy nodded his head so hard it looked like it may fall off, making everyone at the table chuckle.

-

It was now Tuesday and Casey was the beach with Carmen and Tommy. George had online meetings all day so he stayed at home while Casey and Carmen tired their best to entertain energetic 6-year-old. They'd built sandcastles, played a game of volley ball with some of the other people on the beach who kindly let them join, did a swimming race in the sea and ate their body weights in ice-cream. It was nearing 3 in the afternoon when Casey and Carmen were trying up, getting ready to leave when Carmen got distracted. "P, is that you?" She asked, holding up her hand to cover her eyes from the sun as she looked in the direction of a little girl on the beach.

Soon a figure behind the little girl came into focus and Casey was a little shocked. "Max?" Casey asked and watched as he nodded with a smile. "We thought it was you two." Max said to Casey and Carmen as he put his hand on the little girls shoulders. "Whose this?" Casey asked, kneeling down to be at the girls level.

"Penelope." The little girl said awful shyly. "Hi, Penelope. I'm Casey." Casey said, holding her hand out for the girl to shake. It wasn't long until Tommy came running over. He'd been told he could build one more sandcastle before they left so came over covered in water and sand, carrying a bucket and spade in his hands. "Penelope, this is Tommy." Casey said to Penelope, introducing the two infants as the little boy reached them. Penelope gave a shy wave to Tommy, which he returned.