The Chain (A Catherine Diary) - Stamfield. Complete

Chapter 33

33

The girls had found an area that was shaded by trees, there was a circular garden table and three chairs, which Pat and the other two girls had seated themselves on. The others had perched themselves on the grass, which was soft, yet dry, from the excessive sun and the occasional rain, over the past few days.

'You didn't need to bring that', Gemma said to me, as she gave me a hug. She was referring to the cola.

'We just figured it would be easier than having to go back and forth getting refills', I responded.

In truth it was more that, in the past, Gemma's mum had purchased juices and spirits, they had also made some alcoholic punch, but the fizzy drinks were mainly used as mixers.

Gemma left her seat empty and sat down next to me on the grass.

'You'll never guess what Pat's got?', she said loud enough for the other girls to hear.

A hesitant laughter spread amongst the girls, I looked from one to the other realizing that I wasn't privy to whatever joke was going around. Carla seemed to be the only one as much in the dark as I was. I turned back to Gemma, her addictive giggles had brought a smile to my face.

'Shall we wait until Monica and Sherry get here?', Pat suggested.

'No, show her now', Gemma begged, knowing that none of the other girls would be willing to wait either.

She had said "her", that indicated a singular person. I looked back over to Carla, she shrugged suggesting she didn't have any idea what was going on. Was I paranoid, or was this to do with me.

'Okay, okay', Pat responded, full of enthusiasm, my initial interest had suppressed my apprehension.

Pat shuffled into her pocket, as did the four other girls. They all seemed to be racing each other. Jane emerged with her mobile phone first, but instead of thrusting it into my face, she held it to herself, with a smile, waiting for Pat to retrieve hers.

Pat was the last to retrieve her phone. I still had no idea what was going to happen. I noticed that even Gemma had her phone in her hand. Carla leaned over Pat, curious about what she was doing. Pat punched a few button on the phone and I noticed Carla's face change, a mixture of shock and glee. Pat turned the phone in my direction.

I heard Carla say, 'you have to send it to my phone', before I recognized what Pat was showing me. When I did eventually work it out, I sat there shocked, watching the moving pictures of myself running stark naked through the football field.

I felt the blood rush to my face.

'Who have you sent this to?', I was suddenly worried, already I could see the girls there all had it on their phones, I was frightened to know who else had received it.

'Only the girl's, Pat said innocently.

'It's alright Catherine, we won't spread it round', Gemma added and I looked to each girl in turn, who all nodded.