Page 33 of Alluring Adventure

“What’s the blog called?”

Dan and I chat for a little longer. He clearly knows his fundraising, but I can also see that he must have had a hard time lately. When the economy, suffers the first things people cut back on are non-essentials and supporting charities unfortunately falls into that category.

We agree to stay in contact so I can give him updates.

My eyes fall on the folder with the South America trip again. Time to rip off that plaster.

Me

Hey, I have some news. They are sending me to South America next month. I’m probably going to be quite busy over the next few weeks getting ready for it so don’t be surprised if I don’t have much time to chat.

Time to get used to not having him as part of my daily life.

Chapter 17

Oliver

Ilook at thelarge board on the wall behind my desk. The event for next summer is coming together perfectly, if I may say so myself. Tommy and I had another meeting with Ben and Cooper last week and they booked more of my suggested activities than I thought they would. They’ve even paid a fifty percent deposit already.

Next to that board is another with our normal bookings. We are starting to quieten down a little for the winter months which is fine and planned for. But until now we have been super busy. Keeley’s article did wonders: not only did we sell out almostall of our tours in October, we are already booked up for the Easter school holidays and most weekends from then onwards. To Hannah’s joy, this has finally convinced me that we need to do more when it comes to social media. It can definitely make a difference.

The front door bell chimes and I carefully get up from my chair.

“I’ll get it,” I call out to Hannah who is in the bathroom getting ready for a Halloween party. I’m more used to the back brace now, but I can’t wait to finally get rid of it. It’s been six weeks since the accident and my doctor and physio have both suggested I should wear it for two more weeks, at least during the day.

“Hi, can I help—Dan!” I have bumped into him a few times since the accident; it's not really surprising, given the size of Fellside.

“Groar.” He is carrying a small girl in a Zombie outfit. She snarls at me again.

“Hey Ols. I’m trick-or-treating with my little Princess and we passed so I wanted to check how you’re doing.”

“Good, mate, thanks,” we shake hands. He places his daughter on the floor and she raises her arms and stumbles around like a drunk person. She makes for a convincing little Zombie.

“Oh my goodness, aren’t you adorable?” Hannah announces as she joins us. What the fuck is she wearing. That’s the shortest of short miniskirts and I have to remind myself that she’s no longer fourteen but forty and I’ve no right to tell her what to wear.

“I’m not! I’m a scary Zombie,” the little girl protests.

“Maisie,” Dan warns. She ignores him and raises her arms again walking towards Hannah. My sister is a good sport and drops to the floor in dramatic fashion like she’s scared. I avert my eyes because I don’t need to see if that skirt provides any kind of modesty and I’m glad that Dan does the same. We only look back when we hear the girl making a munching sound and Hannah laughing hysterically.

“Maisie!” Dan takes a step towards Hannah, still trying to look everywhere but at her, and pulls Maisie off her.

“I’m a Zombie, I have to eat people,” She protests as he takes her in his arms. I give Hannah a hand to get her back up on her heels. I might have to call Mum to have a word with her.

“I thought you wanted some chocolates. How can you get chocolate if you eat people?” he lectures her. The minute she hears the word chocolate she holds out the little pumpkin bucket she’s carrying.

“Trick or treat?” she grins at me. Oh, she’s a little charmer.

“Come with me, honey, I have some in my desk,” Hannah holds out her hand. Maisie wiggles in Dan’s arms until he sets her down and then heads to the back office with Hannah.

“I’m sorry!” Dan says sheepishly. “Last year she was a ghost and loved it when people pretended to be scared of her. I think I’m raising a little tomboy.”

“Nothing wrong with that. I know a woman who was a tomboy growing up. She can face life’s problems better than others,” I shrug.

“I want to invite you to an event next week. Keeley’s crowdfunding brought so much money in that we’re having a small event to celebrate.” He holds out a flyer.

“Keeley fundraised for you?” She hadn’t told me that. To be honest, she’s withdrawn from me and texts from her have been rare since she announced that she’s being sent to South America. It’s usually me who starts the conversation. Does it hurt? A little but I also know that’s just who she is. But I’m not giving up so easily. I won’t let her hide away from yet another friend.

“She did a blog and a crowdfunding campaign that have raised nearly two hundred thousand pounds, with the help of the company she works for. And we’ve had another seventy-five thousand come in to us directly. It is mad really, that’s more than what I was required to fundraise for next year.”

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