I’ll get into trouble, please don’t say anything.’ Zinia and Louise were doing their best not to get upset in front of all the children, but it was such a sad thing to have happened and they didn’t want to ask Jemima any more about it, afraid they’d upset her further. ‘It’s OK sweetheart, we won’t say anything, you brave, brave girl.’
‘Can I have a lolly please?’ Glad that things were almost back to normal, Louise agreed and sent Zinia to get lollies for all the children.
Geraldine. ‘Human children have very active imaginations when they’re young and often make up stories. Sometimes, they can be so convincing that people who don’t know the children well will believe these stories.’
While the children were with the animation team, Phil decided to explore the local area.
Phil had been for a walk into the town when the storm started and he took shelter in an Irish Bar. He ordered a pint of the dark stuff; he wasn’t overstruck on Guinness but was in an Irish Bar and felt obliged to drink it.
‘Do you think the first explorers in the Amazonian Rain Forests found an Irish Bar there?’ He asked the barman.
‘Probably, but they just served local beers and spirits.’ They laughed together and Phil found a seat where he could watch the motorbikes on the satellite TV.
Clive. ‘Our research shows that it’s compulsory to have an Irish Bar in all holiday resorts. These bars are run by Irish and non-Irish people and not leprechauns. Despite what the barman said our studies have shown that there aren’t any Irish Bars in the Amazonian Rain Forests.’
In between the heavy showers, Phil made his way back to the hotel and didn’t get too wet. Not the sort of person happy lying about all day, Caroline was up and about but wasn’t feeling great. She thought some fresh air might make her feel better and wanted to collect the children and also go to the shop to buy some cold remedy.
They came out of the shop and Caroline felt listless and lacked energy. A familiar voice brought a smile to her face.
‘Mam, Dad, I want to join a table-tennis club when we get home.’ They were used to their son’s laid back enthusiasm when he tried anything new and wondered if this one would be a five minute wonder, or if like the karate, it would last a little while longer.
‘OK, Jack. We’ll have a look when we get home.’
Jack grabbed his father’s hand and they headed for the kiddies club to collect Jemima.
The children were finishing their end of session song and dance as the parents gathered ready to collect them. Following the circle of clapping by each child, Zinia and Louise said goodbye to the children and this was the signal for the parents to take over. They watched as Zinia and Louise made a big fuss of Jemima. ‘That’s my girl.’ Said Phil puffing up like a peacock. ‘She could charm the monkeys out of the trees that one.’
Caroline smiled but wasn’t quite as enthusiastic as Phil. ‘I wonder what she’s been up to today?’
‘Why do you always use that tone of voice, as if she’s done something wrong?’ Phil knew that Caroline also adored Jemima, but couldn’t understand why she always thought Jemima was up to no good.
‘Speaking from experience, darling, she usually has. Shall we go see?’
Louise approached the Gibsons and gripped Caroline’s forearm. She looked at her and Phil.
‘What a lovely, clever, little girl you have there. You should be really proud of her.’
Caroline was slightly taken aback by Louise’s emotion.
‘Thank you very much, we are. But why, what’s she done today?’
Louise didn’t want to cause undue upset to the family.
‘We’ve been drawing today and she’s been an inspiration. I’m sure Jemima will tell you all about it.’ Louise smiled the sort of sympathetic smile often seen at funerals and walked away to talk to some of the other parents.
‘How very peculiar.’ Said Phil as he went to get his daughter.
‘What did you draw today, my little princess?’ Jemima was delighted to see her parents and gave them both a big hug and kiss. She said hello to Jack but didn’t hug him.
‘We drawed animals, Daddy and Zinia and Louise really liked mine.’
‘Can we see your drawing, sweetheart?’ Caroline asked her daughter.
‘It got wet, Mam and we didn’t keep it.’
‘What sort of animals.’ Asked Phil.
‘Some that live in the water. Can I have a burger then ice-cream please?’
Caroline nodded to Phil. It