An Irish Summer

[Red Ranger 1]

I thought it was John, then you came out and suggested it and I'm wondering if it was a double or single or treble bluff...Either way he certainly seems to have a knack for getting under Aden's skin but is he right to be suspicious?I've a feeling we'll see him again either way...

[tessalove]

I really liked that chapter!!

Theyre finally off the planes!! :D

Still not liking John! :/

[Symphony]

TY RR1, Tessalove, Laurzy, Taniya, Emmalove & RocknRoll for reading and commenting

Chapter 10

Not too shabby, Aden stopped just inside the door of their room and put down his suitcase.

It's lovely, Belle enthused, pushing him out of the way and gazing around the small but compact room.

Jurys wasn't exactly a plush hotel, but it was based in the centre of Cork City which was what Aden had wanted when he was booking a place to stay.

Their room had a spacious double bed adorned in red and gold quilting and blankets, with a stern looking gold head board.

A long pine wood desk desk ran the length of the wall equal to the headboard opposite the bed, and there was a roomy bathroom complete with both bath and shower in its white marble habitat.

Well it's not exactly the Ritz, he pointed out as she settled herself on the edge of the bed.

But, I figured we should keep the frills for doing tours, and stuff. Although, Aden stuck his hands in his pockets and looked decidedly uncomfortable.

Maybe I should have splashed out a bit more...

Oh you!

Seeing the sudden consternation in his eyes, Belle knew exactly what her boyfriend was thinking.

Because of his past, and his upbringing, Aden was far too used to thinking that he was worthless, and, because of this train of thought, always figured he'd messed up, or done things the wrong way round.

Getting up from the bed, Belle went to him and threw her arms around his neck, hugging him close.

Feeling his strong arms encase her slender waist, she drew her head level with his ear and whispered mischieviously, so long as we have a bed, the room's perfect.

She kissed him then, gently at first on the lips and then, as her lips moulded to his, it lengthened, growing stronger and harder.

As they finally broke away, breathlessly staring into each other's eyes, Aden grinned.

It was the one smile of his that both tugged at Belle's heart strings, and almost tore her heart in two at the same time. The only smile she had ever seen in this lifetime that held the power of all her love within it, and the ability to crush her, should it ever fade to a snarling grim expression.

Not that it had yet, and, looking at her boyfriend, Belle couldn't ever imagine that happening.

This was the man she wanted to marry some day. Of that, she was sure.

Her own smile deepened, as Aden, curious by the gleeful expression on her face began to tease her.

I don't know what's going through your mind Ms Taylor, to make you look like that. But I intend to find out, he murmured in her ear, gently shepherding her backwards towards the bed until she fell with a delighted squeal onto it.

He followed suit swiftly, as they fell into the shared enjoyment of kissing once more.

******

But I'm telling you, we ordered two separate single rooms!

Hugo was fit to be tied.

Belle and Aden had been checked in first, and gone up to their room, having arranged to meet the others downstairs in the lobby the next morning.

With it being late afternoon already, everyone was sure to be jet-lagged after the long flight and it made sense not to try and do too much at once. Plus they were all in much of a need to have a break from each other.

But to his consternation, when he went to the desk next to check in, the manager on duty had informed him that there had been a mix up in their booking, and he and Martha had been assigned to a room with two single beds in it.

I specifically said that two single rooms were needed! his strong Australian accent carried easily through the lobby.

I know sir, the manager on duty, a small and fat balding man wiped nervously at his glasses.

But there was a mix-up in the database, and we're booked out for tonight. I'm afraid I really can't offer you any other solution.

Standing beside Hugo, Martha spoke up for the first time.

So there's nothing you can do for us? she questioned incredulously.

He shook his head, apologising.

I'm terrible sorry miss. Jurys would, of course, like to make this up to you. If you can assist us with this matter, we would like to offer you a night of free stay.

And if we do this tonight, Hugo interrupted, then you'll give us the separate rooms tomorrow?

The manager looked even more nervous at that.

I'm afraid not, sir, he perspired heavily.

We're entirely booked for the next four nights.

Four nights! Martha and Hugo exclaimed together.

He shrugged helplessly.

It's summer. Tourist season - as you know yourselves. And, as one of the more budget hotels in the district, we get the main rush.

That's that then, Hugo was firm as he turned to Martha.

We'll have to go elsewhere. Where would you recommend? he fired the question suddenly at the small man.

There's no need to do that, Hugo, Geoff broke into the conversation, approaching the desk.

Myself and Nic can split, he said earnestly.

I'll go with you, and she can share with Martha.

Geoff! Nicole looked appalled at this.

At least for tonight, he hastened to add, seeing a pout appear on his girlfriends face.

We've done so much traveling to get here - and the last thing we need is you guys disappearing to an unknown hotel. We might as well stay the night here for now, and then sort things out in the morning if needs be.

Hugo glanced at Martha, raising his eyebrows questioningly.

She nodded, and he turned back to Geoff gratefully.

That sounds good mate, and then we'll sort things in the morning, I promise, he threw the last bit over his shoulder to Nicole.

Well, that's excellent work, the on-duty manager rubbed his hands together, relieved that the explosion had been skillfully averted.

So I have here the key for room 211, and 214, which is opposite it.

Which room number are our friends in? Geoff asked, having not heard when Belle was checking in.

Ah, they're in room 213, so you're all in the same section, he responded eagerly, as though anticipating a pat on the back for this good management.

Hugo nodded coolly.

Very well then. Come on so guys.

Collecting their keys, they made for the lifts.

With it being such a small hotel, there was no offer of bell-boys to take their luggage for them, which Hugo was taken aback at.

They run things better in Indonesia, he commented needlessly as they waited for the lift.

The others looked at him but nobody responded, not quite knowing how.

A low ding sounded as the lift arrived with perfect timing and they piled in, avoiding each other's eyes.

Before long, they were deposited neatly at the second floor, glad to see that their rooms were practically next door to the lift.

Right, well, um - good night I guess, Hugo stood at the door to room 211, and inserted the key, opening it with a swing.

Yeah, we'll see you in the morning, Martha smiled tiredly as a wave of sleepiness hit her like a storm in the sea.

Tomorrow! Nicole looked suitably disgruntled at this.

Dropping his luggage against the door to keep it open, because Hugo had already disappeared into the depths of the room, Geoff enveloped her in a bear hug.

You'll sleep once your head hits the pillow, Nic, he promised her steadily.

All at once, for no reason that she could explain, Nicole felt tears welling up inside her.

It was her first night abroad, and she didn't even have the comfort of her own boyfriend to hold her at night.

Nobody thought to call Belle and Aden down, she thought sulkily as Geoff kissed her goodnight.

After all, at least they're friends with these guys; I don't even barely know them.

Since Nicole's arrival in the bay hadn't originally won her any points with its residents, she was still slowly but surely building up her group of friends and

companions.

Hugo and Martha didn't fall into that catagory.

She had barely known Jack, and still felt the hhuge burden of guilt that he had run down Belle's puppy Jet.

Having to share a room with his grief-stricken widow seemed so much more serious, and at that moment, she felt like she hated Geoff for putting her in such a position.

Yeah, night, she answered sulkily, turning her head so that when he went to kiss her, it landed on her cheek instead of her lips.

Geoff gripped her tightly, knowing that she was both disgruntled, and uncomfortable with how things had turned out.

It's just for one night, he promised her tenderly.

Martha too had disappeared into the room to deposit her stuff.

We'll get it all sorted out tomorrow Nic, and despite herself, she smiled briefly at him.

Yeah. I guess I am tired. I'll see you in the morning, she turned away, grabbing her luminous pink suitcase, and dragged it into the room behind her, letting the door swing close without looking back.

Geoff stood stock still in the hall-way for a moment, watching as the door closed on him.

His back ached from the long flight, and the tensions that had been rising in the group since starting the journey were just beginning to sink in.

With a sigh, he went into his own room, closing the door gently behind him.

******

Blissfully unaware of the hassle with rooms, Aden and Belle slept gently in each others' arms until the middle of the night when there was suddenly loud shouting outside the window.

Waking with a jump, Belle stiffened, disorientated in the dark, and by the sound of the thick Irish accents.

But as the 'hotel' smell of the room came back to her, she remembered where they were.

Aden? she whispered, hoping her boyfriend was awake but his steady breathing denied her this flicker of hope.

Twisting onto her back, Belle stared up at the ceiling, unable to see it for the thick darkness that was over them.

Her mind was active; originally they had fallen to sleep after making love but now that she had the chance to sit and think, she found she couldn't stop the thoughts from coming.

They were, she realised with alarm, mainly centred around John O'Keefe; the mysterious boy from the TygerFyre airline.

Originally he had seemed so normal, and kind - helping them out with checking in, and rescuing Aden from the security guards.

He hadn't even asked why, she remembered, but had just assumed that they were innocent victims of the strict forces in airports.

But then, in the space of a few hours, he had changed - starting to pick on Aden rather than just chat in a friendly manner, and she felt a cold shiver cross her spine as she remembered the way he had patted the roof of their limo lightly before going away.

You're hardly likely to see him again, she tried to console herself.

There was something sneaky about his actions now, and Belle didn't fancy the thought of bumping into him again.

But the little niggling voice that told her she shouldn't have told him where they were staying - but should have told the others that he knew, just wouldn't go away and she awake for a long time, until the first lights began to hit the sky.

Then at last, she drifted off into a deeply troubled sleep.

*****

In the next room, Geoff lay on his back with his hands crossed behind his head.

Hugo was already fast asleep, snoring lightly, and Geoff looked at him enviously.

Usually he had no trouble in going to sleep but, with the jet lag starting to kick in, his mind was flying around with too many thoughts in it and it was these that were preventing him from drifting off.

I hope this isn't a mistake, his brow crinkled in apprehension. Nicole had been so excited about the prospect of going to Ireland that he'd sort of fell in her with her plans. And you wanted to keep an eye on her, an unwelcome voice popped up in his head, causing him to frown even more.

They'd put nearly all their savings into this trip; it was a costly one to make it across this far, and Irene hadn't been at all impressed at them taking two weeks out of school to make up the month in Ireland. That alone had taken numerous 'serious' chats and pleading on Nicole's behalf in order to be allowed go at all.

Roman, apparently, had been more than happy to allow Nicole to go, and had paid for her ticket, leaving her with all her own savings to spend on buying and experiencing Ireland for what it was.

But now that they were here, and the traveling over, for the main part, Geoff couldn't help but wonder had he just made a huge error in his choices.

Brow still furrowed, he too drifted into a deep and troubled sleep.

Meanwhile, outside, the sun rose over the shimmering river Lee as Cork city began to come to life, unknowing of the excitement it held in store for the six young Australians.

... to be continued.

[MizzyBee123]

Fab update! I guessed there'd be a mix up with the rooms haha poor Nicole! =]

[EmmaJane123]

Amazing Update

Lol! at the mix up of the rooms

Poor Nic

Cant wait 4 more

Xxxxx

[rocknroll]

awww poor nic

i liked Geoff thinking it over!

update soon please xx

[jdoddy]

Hopefully Geoff keeps his 'just one night' promise.

Good chapter, nice description at the end there

[LAURZY!]

Awwwww I love Geoff

I felt sorry for Nicole I'd wanna share with Geoff too

Loved the start with Aden and Belle

Brilliant, cant wait to see what they get up to!!

[Red Ranger 1]

Nice update, good work by Geoff sorting the room situation out, shame it didn't make Nicole too happy.

[tessalove]

I loved it!!

I loved Geoff thinking at the end, I hope it dosn't cause a fight.

Update soon xX