The other side of the world (Bondi Rescue Fanfic)

Chapter 25 - Stags and Hens

Shannon woke up before her alarm for a change and jumped out of bed. She knew the boys had all left early so wasn't surprised that the kitchen looked like a disaster area and she was clearing the dirty cups and plates from the table as Rachel joined her.

"Don't tidy up after those lazy boys" she said sternly

"Yeah, you're right" laughed Shannon "I'll go and hurry all the hens up instead"

They were all soon gathered in the living room when Rachel gasped loudly.

"What!" shouted Shannon "You made me jump then!"

"I've just had a thought! The boys have taken both of the big cars and there is no way we will all fit in the jeep!" Replied Rachel, looking worried.

"Oh no!" said Shannon, unable to hide her smile "Whatever will we do!"

"Why are you smiling?" asked Rachel

"Look out the window" laughed Shannon

Rachel ran over to the large window at the front of the house and shrieked with excitement as a huge, white limousine slowly pulled up to the house.

"Oh my god really!" she continued to shriek as she grabbed hold of Shannon's hands and jumped up and down on the spot.

"Yes really" laughed Shannon as she helped Karen transfer the several bottles of champagne from the fridge to a cooler bag and they all headed out to the limousine.

"Oh my god he's gorgeous" Holly muttered to Shannon as the extremely good looking driver opened the limousine doors with a smile.

They all clamoured into the back of the limousine and the driver set off. Karen opened the first bottle of champagne with a loud pop and began pouring everyone a glass.

"So bride to be" started Shannon "Before we do anything else you need to put these on"

She handed Rachel a veil with "L" plates attached and fastened some pink furry handcuffs around Rachel's left wrist.

"Oh no" laughed Rachel "So predictable"

"I prefer the term traditional" laughed Shannon

By the time they arrived at the spa they had worked their way through two and a half bottles of champagne and were quite tipsy as they had some photos taken with the limousine driver and skipped into the spa.

They chose to get a very relaxing facial and then Shannon, Rachel, Karen and Holly headed into the Jacuzzi.

"So Karen" started Rachel "Tell us all the gossip with you and hunky Heath"

"Oh, you know" giggled Karen "It's all just a bit of fun"

"Yeah right!" snorted Shannon "You've got it bad so don't deny it"

Karen laughed and shrugged her shoulders as Holly sighed loudly.

"Oh what's your problem" Rachel snapped at her

"I'm realising that I am the only one who hasn't had some sort of amazing thing happen to them here" she sighed again, sadly.

"What's that supposed to mean?" replied Shannon

"Well you have met a great guy and totally fallen in love, Karen has met a great guy too and having fun or whatever that is and Rach, well getting married is about as life changing as an event can be" She replied.

"Why are you always so jealous" Karen said, rolling her eyes

"I'm not jealous!" snapped Holly

"I think you should stop comparing yourself to everyone else" said Shannon, trying to diffuse any argument that might be brewing

"I don't do that.....do I?" Holly asked quietly.

"Yeah, you kinda do" replied Shannon "I think that you have had quite a few life experiences here, I mean firstly you have been living in a beautiful country for the last few months, you have been part of a show that performed to loads of people which I know didn't last as long as you all hoped but it was still an experience"

"And you have met so many new and interesting people that you just never would have met in England" added Rachel

Holly nodded and smiled "You're right, sorry for being a miserable cow, I guess I am a bit jealous of you all"

"Well let's just put it all behind us and enjoy ourselves ok" said Rachel with a smile "It is my hen do remember"

They all cheered and Rachel grabbed the bottle of champagne that had appeared in a large ice bucket next to the Jacuzzi. They all raised their glasses and clinked them together, laughing. Things were ok again – for now anyway.

After a long soak followed with a spell in the sauna, the girls showered and changed and Shannon went to call the limousine driver to come and pick them up.

They all decided to get a coffee to sober them up while they waited and were just finishing up when the limousine pulled up outside.

"So did you have a good time ladies" asked the limousine driver as he opened the doors for them

"Oh yes" they all chorused as they got inside

The driver played some cheesy 90s boyband music on the journey back and they all sang along loudly. The limousine came to a stop outside the bar that they were meeting the stags in so they all rather drunkenly got out and headed into the bar.

"I'm just gonna pay the limo driver" Shannon shouted "You girls go on in"

The boys were already inside and were definitely way ahead in the drinking stakes.

"Hey ladies" shouted Darren "Cocktails all round"

The girls went over and sat down and the stags all laughed at Rachel's fancy dress items.

Shannon caught them up and Kailan got up to give her a hug and a kiss.

"How much have you had to drink" laughed Shannon

"Quite a bit babe, I won't lie" he giggled

Shannon sat down on Kailan's knee and Holly sat next to them

"By the way" Shannon whispered to her "I gave the limo driver your number"

"What!" Holly gasped

Shannon picked up the very green looking cocktail that had been poured for her and clinked glasses with Holly

"Thanks Shan" whispered Holly and for once she was actually smiling.