Free Going Up and Going Down by Eva Bielby

told me I needed a break from
studying for a while. He had booked a cruise for the three of us, my first
ever, during the Christmas and New Year period. I had to admit the weather in
England had been abysmal and lazing about in the Caribbean sun relaxing on a
lounger reading thrillers instead of accountancy, economics and contract law,
or doing nothing else but daydream sounded excellent. The day we boarded I met
people who were around my age group and we swam together, dined together and
danced until the early hours. The weather was perfect and I thoroughly enjoyed everything
about it. When the end of the holiday came we all swapped addresses, phone
numbers and email addresses, swearing to keep in touch and true to form - we
didn’t.
    Mr Hopkins was
of the same opinion as Mum and Dad - thinking I needed a rest from studying. So
whilst all three of them thought I was having a few months’ break from
studying, I was going to bed early but my bedtime reading was the text books
that I had already purchased. I never left the books on my bedside cabinet for
Mum and Dad to find; I kept them hidden in a drawer beneath all my undies. But
what is it about parents - how do they always seem to know? I couldn’t help but
overhear a conversation between them one day – they both agreed they thought my
studying had become an obsession and was perhaps another outlet for my O.C.D.
    I made more of
an effort to get out by joining a badminton class where some of my work
colleagues were also members. I went to the cinema once a month with the same
crowd. It surprised me to find how much I enjoyed the badminton - after the first four or five sessions at least. It had been exhausting, which was to
be expected really as I hadn’t done much in the way of physical exercise for so
long. Once I‘d learned more and was hitting great shots, winning some points
and understanding the scoring system better, my competitive streak came to the
fore and I was eager for Tuesday night to arrive each week. I was enjoying the
Saturday shopping and drinking sessions more than ever, because I was able to
join in with conversations about badminton and the latest films for the first
time. I was fitting in at last and the people I had always referred to as
colleagues were now my friends. We started to plan for a holiday together, the
six of us that were unattached, which had to be taken between Christmas and New
Year whilst the office was closed otherwise we wouldn’t all be allowed to take annual
leave at the same time.
    We had a
glorious week in Spain. It was the first time I had ever been on holiday with
friends and it was also the cheapest holiday I had ever had; three star
accommodation on a room only basis. The cleanliness left a bit to be desired
and the beds were barely comfortable but I didn’t feel the inclination
to get the bleach out for once – I was too busy enjoying myself. We flirted, we
were drunk almost 24-7, we sunbathed when we managed to drag ourselves out of
bed in daylight hours, and we danced the nights away in the seedy little bars
and discos. My new found friends would often cast me some looks of amazement –
they were seeing me let my hair down for the first time. I shocked them even
more so when I made the first move to chat up the odd guy who caught my eye.
Not with the intention of getting laid or emotionally involved - I just wanted
someone attractive to dance with, to laugh with and share a kiss at the end of
the night. I was also trying to get my confidence back. We all had a fantastic
time and I was quite sorry when the week came to an end. On arriving back at
Gatwick on the 2 nd of January we vowed to do it all again at the end
of the year, somewhere different.
    I continued my
studies on a regular basis but didn’t let it interfere with my social life
anymore. I found it was quite beneficial to resume my studying after the odd
nights and days off – I was more refreshed and was able to focus better. Mum
and Dad went on