. · ˚ ✧ 𝔇 𝔦𝔰 𝔣𝔬𝔯 𝔇𝔞𝔫𝔤𝔢𝔯𝔬𝔲𝔰 ✧˚ · .

3

March 2nd, 1998
London Heathrow Airport, London, England

"Mam come on, I wanna get back 'ome," I pulled my Mam's arm to try and make her walk faster while my dad was already ahead looking for the car in the airport parking.

"Darlin' it's going to take hours to get 'ome anyway," My mam rolled her eyes.

"Just come on," I sighed and took her suitcase along with mine following the path my dad took out of London Heathrow Airport.

"Why'd you wanna get back so quick?" Dad said when I caught up with him.

"I ant seen the lads in over a month," I said as though it was obvious, "I bet they've forgot what I even look like."

"Don't be dramatic love," My dad ruffled my hair before taking the car keys out of his pocket.

I rolled my eyes.

"Where's your mother?" Dad asked when he closed the boot after putting all three suitcases in.

"I dunt know. She was walking too slow so I took her bag off 'er and came after you."

"She's 'ere," Dad said as Mam came into view.

"Well tell 'er to 'urry up then. I wanna get back 'ome before it goes dark," I rolled by eyes again and let out a deep sigh as I sat down in the back seat.

Soon enough, my mam cared to join us and we began the long drive back to High Green. I'd kicked my shoes off and laid along the backseat of my dad's moonstone blue Ford Sierra RS Cosworth and was listening to the radio which played The Rolling Stones 'Paint It, Black'.

After a four hour drive and a stop at the services for a wee, we had got off the motorway as Sheffield came into view. Home finally.

"Come on dad, put yer foot darn," I whined, as lent my head against the cold glass window.

"Love, I dunt want t' get pulled over by t' rozzers," my dad responded.

High Green, Sheffield, England

I let out a loud sigh and kept quiet until I knew we were nearly home. We soon pulled onto our road before my dad parked his Sierra on the driveway. I legged it out of the car and ran across the Turner's front garden before opening the door and walking in.

"I'm back!" I shouted.

"Lyla love, it's been so long," Penny came into the hall from the living room. She immediately pulled me into a hug.

"How was Australia?" she asked.

"It was amazing. We went to Perth, Brisbane and Cairns," I started, "Brisbane was the best. We went to Australia Zoo to see the crocodiles and we went to Surfers Paradise as well."

"Oh wow, Lyla I'm so jealous," Penny said as we walked into the living room and sat down in the settee, "I want to go but David wouldn't be able to cope with the heat. I think Al would just cook too," she laughed.

I laughed, "Singapore was amazing too. There was a thunderstorm everyday though even it was really hot. I lived on McDonald's for the entire time we were there because the food weirded me out."

"Only you," Penny laughed.

At that moment David walked into the living room. I assumed he had been outside as his hands were covered in muck and he had boots on.

"There she is," David laughed.

I got up to give him a hug.

"I swear tha's grown," David said as he ruffled my hair with his mucky hands.

"Well what can I say," I laughed, "Where's Al at?"

"They all went to Jamie's about tea time," Penny said.

"Well I'll see you two soon then," I said before leaving the Turner's and walking down the road towards Cookie's house.

I soon arrived at Cookie's house and walked in. His parents were out, or so I assumed as they were in the living room blasting music from the record player in the corner.

"Oi lads," I shouted as I walked in the room.

"Fuck you're finally back," Nick cheered.

"Man it's been ages," Matt said as he stood up, followed by the other lads.

"Fuckin' 'ell, thought you'd died," Alex laughed as he pulled me into a big hug, kissing my forehead like he always did.

"Nah I'm still alive," I said.

"Shame," Al whispered loudly.

"Oi bastard."

"Did you miss me?" Nick poked my side.

"Course not, I missed Cookie the most," I grinned and wrapped my arm round his shoulder, pulling him closer to me.

"Fuck you lot," Cookie laughed and poked his tongue out like a 5 year old.

"Right, turn this shit off," I said as some nineties crap came on, "We need a proper banger."

"Smiths or Roses?" Alex asked, holding up two vinyls.

"Roses."

The baseline for I Wanna Be Adored played through the house. We all belted the words out of tune. Let's just say Ian Brown wouldn't be impressed. The rest of the day was spent listening to music, catching up on things I'd missed while being away and drinking a few ciders. It felt like I'd never left.