4.Happier Times

“Great! They have put up the Christmas trees!” Florence said

excitedly. “Yeah, and to imagine they have put up four.” William replied. “Not

to mention Christmas is in five days’ time,” Catherine remarked. “You all right

David? You have not spoken much since the explosion.”

“Yes, I am fine. I just need to speak to Joseph

about something of importance to me,” David whispered. “I just cannot find

where his office is.” “We’ll take you there David,” Florence said. Catherine

and William nodded their heads. On the way to the office David mentioned, “You

guys are great friends you know. I would never compare you three to anyone

else.” “Geez David that is so nice of you, but do you mind me asking about what

this little secret is… I mean the one that you are not telling us right now,”

Catherine said looking earnestly into David’s eyes. “Well Cathy I am sorry, but

unfortunately now is not-

“Look, we are here,” William said as the

quadruple turned around the fourth bend of corridors. “Good luck with whatever

you want,” Florence mentioned as David tapped on the door. “Enter,” came

Joseph’s familiar voice from inside. Catherine looked at David reassuringly.

“William!” Florence hissed as David walked inside the office, “You had to

interrupt David when he was probably about to tell us the secret didn’t you.”

“Sorry,” William replied, “Don’t worry Cathy he’ll be fine.” Both the friends

looked at Catherine who had gone rather white and shaky. “Do you really think

so? Do you really think he will be alright? Are you sure that nothing is

wrong?” Catherine asked. “Yes Catherine. And by the way wasn’t it you who would

always tell us to be positive even in the saddest of times. “Yes, we’ll I

guess-

Catherine was interrupted by the slamming of the

door as David rushed out bursting to tell his friends the exiting news. “Pack

your bags. We are going to Frizzworth. That is what I asked Joseph. Permission

to spend Christmas there. We are leaving on the twenty third and coming back on

the twenty sixth. We won’t be missing any training since our training day is

tomorrow. This is my Christmas treat for you guys. Aren’t you exited?” David

half yelled. “Slow down there boy, Frizzworth, the so-called happiest place in

UK? Christmas treat? You rock David really you do,” William said. Florence

found tears falling from her eyes. David glanced at Catherine who lunged forward

and hugged him real tight. The hug ended with a kiss from Florence, a load of

packing up, planning and training. Finally, the big day arrived. Everyone’s

hearts were full of hope and pride. Catherine, David, Florence and William said

their goodbyes to all their friends as they boarded the van which was to take

them to the airport. David had said that flying would be way more fun than

driving.

There was chatter in the van. Harold Barnes, the

van driver too joined in. “Soo you lot are travelling to Frizzworth aren’t

you?” Harold asked. “Yes Mr Barnes, and I still can’t seem to understand why

David would do such a nice thing for us,” Florence replied. “Quite in his

nature,” Catherine said. “Well, I wanted to surprise the lot of you because you

lot… As I said are the best friends that anyone could possibly dream of

having,” David said blushing slightly. He was seated at the front seat next to

the driver so Harold noticed how deeply he was blushing. “Call me Harold. I

prefer it that way if you don’t mind,” Harold said, throwing a weird glance at

David which made him blush even brighter. “Okay Mr- I mean Harold,” William

said. Everyone laughed. The bus ride to the airport was joyful and fun.

“Here is my number. Contact me if you need anything,”

Harold said handing William a card as the others unloaded the suitcases. There

were five in exact. “Thanks,” William replied. Very soon the quadruple was on

board the airplane. They had four seats neatly lined up together in the centre

of an economy class. The two boys on the left and the two girls on the

right.

Everyone was enthusiastic and exhausted by the

time they had arrived at Frizzworth. David had reserved a family room in one of

the five-star hotels called Gregororich, so that the four of them could have a

great night’s sleep and have a quick shower the next morning to go explore all

around the place. There were still two days for Christmas.

“Wake up boys, rise and shine! You don’t want to make

Santa angry at Christmas eve now do you? Catherine’s made vegetable soup for

breakfast. It’s past eight o’clock. Come on get up,” Florence rung, tugging at

the boys’ blankets.

Half an hour later, everyone was thoroughly

enjoying Catherine’s wonderful, home cooked vegetable soup. The only flaw in it

was the name. Catherine called it ‘Vege’s marvellous wonder delight’, which

made no sense what so ever.

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