Chapter 27

I wake up to a chorus of happy birthday. Mum, Dad, Holly, Daisy and Zoe are surrounding my bed. I smile up at them as Holly thrusts a load of presents at me. I won't tell you what I got. I didn't really get a main present, just a load of little gifts, so it would take a long time to make a list of everything I got given. Zoe gave me a full makeup set and a hamper of her products though.

I had a special breakfast of pancakes with strawberries and blueberries and golden syrup. Zoe sat in my bedroom with me and we discussed random things, she's been here for 3 days but we haven't really had chance to speak much as I've been getting up for school and then I've been busy with homework on the nights. She's still feeling pretty nervous about telling Alfie the truth. She leaves on Monday morning so she'll tell him when she gets back.

Just as we've finished our breakfast, Max, Harvey and Hannah arrive so Zoe can take us out and 'distract' me whilst they set up for the party. We head in Zoe's car to the beach. The weather is amazing! I'm wearing a summer dress. I don't usually wear dresses but I can't fit my shorts over my cast so that's the only summery thing I can wear.

We arrive at the beach with some difficulty parking and then we head to the seafront. Even though it's only early, the beach is packed with families, little children running around with beaming smiles on their faces."Just think we were that little once!" Says Max smiling, obviously reminiscing some happy memories."And in no time whatsoever we'll have children that little!" Says Harvey, looking worried but smiling at Hannah.Max coughs and Harvey turns beetroot red.

"There's something you aren't telling us!" I say.Zoe smiles. "Ah, let them be. It can't hurt to be secretly in love at such a young age!"Harvey goes even redder if that's possible.Max smirks and gently shoves Harvey. "So are you secretly in love Harv?"Before anyone knows what's happening, Harvey's lips crash into Hannah's. Max stares open mouthed. Zoe's smiling but I can see her eyes fade a little. She's thinking of Alfie. I give her hand a little reassuring squeeze.

Both return from the kiss smiling and blushing like mad."Um, well... that was... interesting.." says Max struggling not to laugh.Harvey shoves him and he falls onto some sandcastle.Oh no! It's that Maxxie's brother again, you know the one from when I went to the beach with Joe and Zoe. And oh no! There he is running up as his brother jabs Harvey with a spade. "..took us ages to build didn't it Paul!" Some little scrawny kid with two missing front teeth shakes his fists and mutters in agreement.

"Hey hey Jacob... oh it's Felicity again!" He smiles at me. I feel max stand beside me and can just imagine the look he's giving Maxxie at the minute. "Eh? Who's Felicity?" Asks Harvey.I stand on his foot."Me you dafty. I'm Felicity! Sorry, it's just they usually call me Fliss!" I say fake apologetically at Maxxie.

He smirks and mouths brain dead, except Harvey sees and he's not too pleased and neither is Max and so they both square up and then the smirk disappears from Maxxie's face and turns into a scowl and they have a shouting match and all these little kids are egging him on and me, Zoe and Hannah are dragging Max and Harvey away and Maxxie throws a punch at Harvey and then Harvey grabs one of the kids buckets and fills it with sand and pours it over Maxxie and that get into a full brawl and Max has disappeared and Harvey and Maxxie are throwing punches at each other and I'm dragging Jacob away before he gets knocked over and Hannah's screaming and Max arrives and says "oh you look dirty with all that sand, let's make you clean" and pours a bucket of sea water over Maxxie and grabs hold of Harvey's arm and we all leg it like mad off the beach. Well, I hitch a ride on Max's back because of my leg.

I bury my face in my hands once we're safe."Now look, you've made Jess cry on her birthday!" Says Hannah."Jess?" Max wraps his arm around me and I uncover my hands from my face."Oh, no look Hannah she's not crying she's laughing!" Says Harvey with a grin on his face.

"That was the funniest thing I've ever took part in!" I say barely able to speak.