Page 95 of Atticus Arnott's Great Adventure
Tables and chairs had been laid out, and the ukulele-playing campers, wearing Santa hats, had already secured their spot. Members of staff from Solma Vacaciones had arrived, including Sophia, the bike-selling aerobics instructor. Dressed in her skimpy red one-piece, she’d added a mesh skirt and matching bolero. On her head, she wore a band with silver bobbles. Her glittery roller-skating trainers lit up as she grabbed Erik’s hands and sashayed to the dance floor.
‘Well, I never,’ Cheryl said as she gazed at Erik and Sophia, who hip-hopped like no one was watching. ‘I must get myself a pair of those trainers,’ she said.
Cheryl was dressed in an emerald-green, full-length gown, and as the music changed to her earlier request, she looked around for Ruby.
Reminiscent of the TV showCome Dancing, before it morphed into the more modernStrictly, Cheryl’s dress was a throwback from the ’80s. Emerald green with a sweetheart neckline, the off-the-shoulder number fell into a bodice of sequins and a satin skirt. Ruby, handing over her barbecue tools to the Solma Vacaciones chef, looked dapper with slicked-back hair and a smart bowtie. She wore a tuxedo that matched her trousers, and, reaching for Cheryl’s hand, they twirled like pros onto the dance floor, beginning their routine with a confident step. As they dipped and spun, everyone applauded. When theperformance ended, whoops and whistles for more echoed around the pitch.
Atticus stepped out of a taxi and held the door open for Britta. He paid the driver and took Britta’s hand as they began to walk past the reception area and followed the road that led to Erik’s pitch. Spanish children dressed as elves and fairies whizzed by on scooters and bikes as parents sat in the fading light, drinking wine, and celebrating the start of the holidays.
‘Feliz Navidad!’ they called out as Atticus and Britta went by.
‘I’m intrigued to know my surprise,’ Britta said. She wore a long floaty dress, and her hair was pinned back with jewelled clips. Gripping Atticus’s arm, Britta leaned heavily. Her bruised body still ached.
‘You’ll soon find out,’ Atticus smiled. ‘But I can hear music, the party must have started.’
As they approached the crowd gathered at Erik’s pitch, the first person they saw was the receptionist from the campsite. Holding onto a fixed pole and swinging wildly around it, she ignored Atticus and Britta and, in rapid Spanish, garbled loudly into a mobile phone.
They looked at each other and laughed.
Getting closer, they sensed a delicious aroma from the barbecue and heard music from the disco. When Erik saw Atticus and Britta, he reached for the microphone and called, ‘Everyone! Here’s The Travelling Grandad and his beautiful partner!’
Atticus and Britta were greeted warmly, and guests held out their phones to take pictures with the man who’d put their campsite on the social media map. Ness began to bark and, sensing Atticus, bounded through the crowd to hurl herself onto her boss.
‘Now then, old lass.’ Atticus laughed. ‘Settle down.’ His face lit up as Ness wagged her tail and he ruffled her fur as the dog wriggled with delight.
Sophia glided forward and took hold of Britta’s hands. ‘I have a surprise from your man. You must close eyes!’ she commanded.
Erik moved forward, and when Sophia told Britta to open her eyes, she gasped as she saw him manoeuvre a sleek tandem bicycle tied with a huge red bow.
‘Oh, my goodness, is this my surprise?’ Britta turned and stared at Atticus. She ran her fingers over the handlebars, admiring the craftsmanship.
Atticus reached out to ring the bell. ‘I thought we could go on even more adventures together,’ he said as Ness nuzzled his legs. ‘Aye, you can come too.’ He patted the dog’s head.
‘I love it.’ Britta laughed. ‘It’s perfect.’
‘Happy Christmas.’ Atticus grinned and kissed Britta as she threw her arms around him.
‘Come – eat, drink, and be merry,’ Erik said, turning to all the guests. ‘Feliz Navidad!’ he called out. Circulating with a jug of sangria, he encouraged everyone to mingle as waiting staff produced trays of tapas in bite-sized portions.
Cheryl and Ruby greeted Atticus andBritta with hugs, and as Ruby checked Britta’s welfare, Cheryl took Atticus to one side.
‘Whenever you’re ready,’ she whispered.
‘No problems?’
‘All gone to plan,’ Cheryl said, smiling.
Atticus turned to Britta and took hold of her hand. ‘I have one more surprise for you,’ he said, and moving forward with Cheryl and Ruby behind them, Atticus walked to the edge of the pitch.
‘But…’ Britta began to protest. ‘Please, you spoil me. No more gifts,’ she pleaded.
But Atticus’s heart had begun to thump, and he felt his breath catch in his throat. Turning Britta to face the path, he held onto her shoulders. ‘Look…’ he whispered.
Strolling towards them with a grin as wide as the sky, came Mary. Holding hands, Maeve, Finn, Declan, and Caitlin walked on either side of their mum.
Atticus felt his eyes fill with tears, and a sudden surge of joy washed over him.
‘Your family!’ Britta gasped.
