THE OXFORD BET *VirginityGames*

Chapter 12 Unavoidable

It was early in the morning when Francesca threw her phone across the bed, before sinking back down under the covers. She heard the rain on her window and slithered further into the warmth. Without warning, her Mother's voice blasted through the house. Francesca wished she had asked to stay at her best friends house that weekend before half term, but her friend's family life was far more complicated than she's been led to believe. Victoria's family had recently discovered that their Dad, who had been diagnosed with skin cancer, had also been having a six month affair with a receptionist at the Law firm he worked for. So things at home were difficult to say the least. Francesca felt it best not to burden her friend if it wasn't a necessity. So, she dragged herself out of bed and glanced over the landing begrudgingly. She cocked her head to one side and she watched her Mum struggle with three large Louis Vuitton suitcases. "Francesca! Dear!"

"What's wrong?"

Her mum looked up and smiled half a smile. "Oh there you are!"

"Here I am." Francesca derided.

"Grumpy too I can see." Her Mother scrunched up her nose is displeasure. "You look awful darling.." She then proceeded to tug at an enlarged designer suitcase. When it didn't move, her Mother's face scrunched up and she kicked at it with the point of her stiletto. "Come down here at once for goodness sake. Bring Joshua down here too!"

"Okay," she replied in a flat tone. Francesca leant her elbows on the banister and continued to watch her Mother struggle, amusingly. "Do you need any help with those?"

"NO! I'm perfectly fine thank you!" Her Mum said huffing and puffing in frustration.

"You know Mum, there really is no point in saying goodbye, it's obvious you don't care about me or Josh when you and Dad are jetting off on holiday, leaving your two only children to fend for themselves."

"It's only two weeks!"

"Don't be surprised if we've starved to death by the time you get back."

"Oh be quiet will you!" Her Mother turned sharply to look up, sweat on her brow. Her high heels made a scratching noise against the wooden floor. "Didn't I tell you to get your brother down here now, Francesca!" She threw down the cases which fell like dominos in cannon. Her Mother went and sat on the arm of the sofa in the living room. She fiddled endlessly with her diamond necklace. "I want to talk to you both before your Father gets back."

"Fine," Francesca huffed.

Francesca did as she was told. She knocked on Josh's door and continued to walk down the stairs, when she heard her brother's door open. "Come on Frodo. Mum wants us downstairs. Something about one ring to rule them all." Francesca pulled at her white knitted cardigan, wrapping it tighter around her body as they reached their unwanted destination.

"Mum, I don't think there's any point in this, we know to be safe, not to burn the house down, don't let strangers in the house, no house parties...You normally just make us a list. You don't need to sit us down and tell us everything again."

Josh finished Francesca's sentence, "No sexual activity," Francesca turned to her brother mortified.

"Eww when is that going to be happening, Josh?" Francesca asked comically.

Joshua's face went bright red and he snickered.
"When in Rome..."

"Lucky you're in London then, isn't it." She quipped back. All the while their Mother glanced between the two disapprovingly.

"This conversation is heading in the wrong direction. Now come into the living room, sit down and listen. Don't interrupt. I don't need to write anymore lists Francesca, because the two of you are going to behave properly so much so, I hope to hear how both your tongues have been bleeding from all your politeness."