"Please," Nolan Jones snorted and crossed his arms over his chest, looking far too pleased with himself. "We all saw what just happened. And we all heard Clarke announcing that they're going to pull the Remington-Barlowe's out of the competition.”
“Well, you heard wrong. They're just going through some artistic differences right now." I couldn't help but cringe at my terrible attempt to cover up the truth. “They’re still playing tomorrow, so there’s no need to start celebrating early.”
“We can all see through your lies,” Sarah grinned. “If your parents don’t play tomorrow, they’ll be disqualified, and we'll be announced the champions. We heard and saw what happened, so there’s no need to lie. We’re just looking for confirmation.”
“We already told you that our parents are playing tomorrow.” My jaw clenched with determination, and I rose to my feet. Cedric and Cillian followed my example. "There's no way that we're going to let our parents lose against the likes of you."
"It's probably best if you keep your mouth shut, little girl," Barry sneered at me, his words sending my blood boiling.
“If you know what’s good for you, I’d watch the way you speak to her.” Cedric glared at him and stepped forward, his eyes dark and menacing. “What kind of desperate weirdos do you have to be to eavesdrop on someone’s conversation, anyway?”
None of the four from the team that made up the Wheeler-Jones looked the least bit appreciative of what Cedric had to say, but they didn’t get a chance to reply.
“Penny?” Cillian suddenly called out, the surprise in his voice catching us all off guard. “What are you doing here?”
I turned around to spot Penny standing awkwardly to the side. Her arms were crossed over her chest, and she tapped her shoes against the carpeted floor, looking everywhere but at us. It was only when Cillian called out to her again that she forcefully dragged her eyes up to meet ours.
“The same reason as you are,” Penny answered in a small voice, looking very uncomfortable.
Cillian’s frown deepened. “I’m here to watch my parents play in the golf final tomorrow,” he said.
“As I said, I'm here for the same reason you are,” she repeated, and it took me a moment to realise what she meant.
Penny moved around the table to stand between Jenny and Barry Wheeler, striking a strong resemblance to them both we hadn’t noticed before. That's why Penny was at the game last time! She wasn't just an avid enjoyer of golf like I had assumed. Just as we were there to support our parents, she was there to do the same for hers. Except her parents were insufferable, despicable, and the worst sports people ever. Or perhaps, that was just competition bringing out the worst in them.
Either way, this came as a complete surprise to me. And to the Barlowe brothers as well, it appeared.
“I can’t believe this,” Cillian scoffed, taking one last look at Penny and her family before he followed in our parents’ footsteps and stormed out of the restaurant.
Cedric and I left some money for the bill before following him.
“We need to do something,” I said.
Cedric nodded. "There's no way we're going to let the Wheeler-Jones win. Especially not by disqualification because our parents had a petty falling out."
“Thank you!” I threw my hands up in frustration as we got into the elevator. “The whole thing was so petty, right? It didn’t make any sense!”
"The pettiest argument I've ever witnessed. And that includes all the petty arguments you've roped me into." He playfully nudged my shoulder.
“Very funny,” I replied dryly. “You try to speak some sense into your parents, and I’ll do the same with mine?”
“Someone has to,” he sighed, and the both of us exchanged a look as we split ways and knocked on identical doors across the hall from each other.
"I was wondering when you would stop fraternising with the enemy and come see your poor parents,” Mum huffed dramatically as she opened the door and let me in.
“I wasn’t fraternising with the enemy,” I groaned as I closed the door behind me. “And you were the one that was pushing me toward this supposed enemy, claiming that we were a perfect match for each other.”
“That was before I found out just what a shit show his family really is." She sent me a pointed look before she resumed her packing.
Wait, packing?
“What are you guys doing?” I asked, my eyebrows furrowing together as I watched my parents stuff their suitcases with clothes.
“Packing,” Dad answered me from the bathroom, rummaging for free samples and complimentary toiletries to take home with them. “You should get started on packing as well. We can catch the next train out of here.”
“Train?” I asked, growing more and more confused with each passing second. "What's wrong with your car?"
Mum rolled her eyes. “We drove up with Alfie and Yasmin.”