Lizzie's List by Diane Melling Read Free Book Online Page A

so we unpack our bags, giggling with excitement, like school girls. Ruth in particular has suddenly found a spring in her step and is now very enthusiastic about the whole weekend. It hasn’t escaped my attention that she has mentioned Peter’s name rather frequently. I’ll have to keep my eye on her!
    On entering the dining room, we are greeted by heavenly smells of bacon cooking, causing the angry animal in my stomach to rise again. Peter apologises that not all the centre staff have started yet, so we will have to make do with his limited culinary skills, indicating towards the pile of bacon sandwiches he’s made. “Make do! Make do! What on earth does he mean, make do? A man making me bacon sandwiches – this is like all my Christmases coming at once,” whispers Ruth passionately. We are the only ones there so far, allowing me the opportunity to quiz Peter about the activities planned without an audience. He explains that this afternoon we will be doing a 6-mile-hike, with some basic rock scrambling to get us all in the mood. During the evening, when it is dark, we will be doing some orienteering–in the dark. I am quite content and can handle this until Peter’s next comment...
    “Tomorrow, we will step things up a little with some gorge crossing.” This is when my slightly cocky self, shrinks a little – what on earth is gorge crossing and does it involve heights? Strangely enough, rather than roll her eyes and say she is not doing it, Ruth is very keen. Bummer, my aim was to use Ruth as an excuse to stay out of activities and keep her company, but suddenly she’s become this adventurous, outdoorsy woman on a mission. Kate of course is positively glowing with the thought of this exciting escapade.
    At this point, in strolls Mark and his colleagues all dressed in the finest North Face jackets, followed by Tabitha in very clean, unworn Hunter Wellingtons. I glance at Ruth’s, Kate’s and my own attire and can’t help think we look like the riff-raff locals, dragged in to increase numbers. Mark strides towards us with a solid and over-confident purpose. “Ah Lizzie there you are, please meet my sister, Lizzie, and her friends Kate and Ruth. They all live fairly local, so they’re all accustomed to the mud, country smells and traditions,” Mark laughs to his chums to a response of rowdy, middle class cheers. Kate, Ruth and I give each other knowing glances and look forward to their spotless, North Face clothing not looking quite so fresh and shiny by the end of tomorrow.
    Later we all meet Peter at the entrance ready for our hike and set off with a spring in our step. As we walk, the main group gradually separates into smaller sub-groups. I notice that Ruth and Pete are engaged in a deep conversation, heads nodding together as they appear to be in agreement with one another. Surprisingly I enjoy the company of some of Mark’s colleagues, whom I find entertaining and unlike Mark, they seem honestly interested in local life and the area.
    We stop for a break on a high hill overlooking a valley that I’m not familiar with; the fresh, verdant view is stunning as the rolling hills overlap and curve together like scattered, green emeralds. Conversation turns to the centre and when it will open. Pete explains that they open in two weeks, but that the first week will be an open week for holiday company representatives to experience the centre and hopefully promote it. They have quite a number of bookings already; nevertheless James is currently in a meeting with a marketing company to agree on an advertising programme. “Yes James said he’d be a little late when I spoke to him yesterday,” says Mark.
    “He should be at the centre by the time we return and will be involved in the orienteering tonight and gorge crossing tomorrow,” replies Pete with a smile.
    The rock scrambling is great fun, if tiring, but hilarious at one point when Tabitha places her hand in some sheep poo! Perhaps it wasn’t fun for