Broken Strings

Spooky

“Two tickets please,” the lady behind the glass window peered suspiciously in our direction.

“Isn’t it a school day dears?” she asked.

“It’s for a school excursion,” Peter gasped. She scrutinised us for a few moments before handing over the tickets and smiling us a goodbye.

“Nosey isn’t she,” I mumbled as we took a seat on the wooden bench.

“Some people can’t help it,” he chuckled. He still wore his white beanie even though the weather was humid and sticky.

“Guess so.” Peter and I became lost in our thoughts as trains stopped and started repeatedly. “What time does ours get here?”

“Twelve thirty,” he replied. “I’m sure there will be food served on there,” he finished.

“Good, I’m starving,” I flashed my head to Peter, “So… Where are we going?”

“How many times are you going to ask? I told you that we’re going to Whitewater resort.”

“I know but do you know anything about it? I mean, what’s it like?”

“Here’s the deal,” Peter turned to me, a serious expression on his face, “You can have one question?”

I think deeply about this. One question… “Is there a pool?” satisfied I sat back against the chair.

“That’s your question? You’re final question? You won’t know any more until we get there. Are you going to lock it in?” sounding much like a game host Peter scrutinised me.

“Yes.”

“Okay, are you ready?” he began.

I punched him in the arm, “Yes! Now hurry up and tell me!”

“Okay then. Yes. Yes, there is a pool,” I felt my stomach flip and my mind exploded.

“Really?” an overwhelming smile forced its way onto my face.

“You haven’t seen a pool before?”

“Course I have,” I laughed punching him in the arm, “I just haven’t been swimming in…” I thought about it. It really has been so long since I last went swimming, “Too long,” I finished, “It’s been ages.”

“Well we can take advantage of all the facilities, I bought an unlimited pass to all the facilities.”

“That’s so good! How long will we stay there?”

“Three nights, there is one thing you should know though,” I paused. Oh dear.

“What’s that?”

“There’s just one bed. But if you want I am happy to sleep on the floor,” I shook my head.

“How come you can afford an unlimited facilities pass but just one bed?”

“The way I see it, we don’t really need to have a separate bed. I mean it isn’t going to make the stay any better. I figured the pass would be better,” I nodded.

“I’m glad you did. We’ve sort of become pro’s at head to toe anyway,” he laughed with me as our train pulled in.

“You ready?” I nodded as I followed his lanky figure onto the train. The seats were a dark shade of bottle green and small tables separated Peter from me as I sat opposite him. More people piled onto the confines of the train, an elderly lady taking the seat across from us. Her hair had been dyed a lavender colour and her teeth a surprisingly healthy fresh white. She beamed across at us when she caught me staring.