The Empty Room Read online

  “When we get back we should email mum, and relax for a while, I’m not feeling awful, it’s just been a long day I guess,” Karen said shrugging.

  “What’s wrong?” I asked.

  “I don’t know, I might be being silly,” Karen replied.

  “Oh well in that case, let me say this,” I said, suddenly stopped by Karen.

  “Ha it’s okay I’ll feel better after a few of these,” Karen said, taking the jug and filling up both glasses.

  “So, any stories you want to share with me while we’re here?” I asked.

  “Yeah heaps, but you probably know them all,” Karen insisted.

  “How can I know them all, there’s got to be a few you’ve never told me,” I replied.

  As Karen just smiled and leaned in.

  “A few more of these and I’ll tell you one,” kissing me on the cheek, then trying to tempt me with her cheesy smirk.

  “Oh intriguing,” I said, leaning back in and then we both sat there in front of the fire.

  Laughing at each other, having a great time. We sat there for a few more hours till Karen told me her story and we made our way back to the hotel, only to be stopped half way though, cause Georgia wanted to go to dinner.

  We just laughed at each other throughout the whole first course.

  “What are you two laughing at?” Georgia asked, thinking that we were laughing at her.

  “We just had a few too many drinks at a little bar we found today sis,” Karen replied.

  “Oh okay,” Georgia said still eyeing us both quite closely.

  “So what’s the plan for tomorrow,” Nick asked.

  “Photo on the bridge or a trip up the mountain,” I suggested.

  “Photo on the bridge?” both Karen and Georgia asked shrugging.

  “Cool, then its decided,” I said

  As everyone just laughed.

  “We can go up the mountain if we get time, but tomorrow should be pretty good, this place is pretty awe inspiring,” I remarked.

  “Well we might head back soon,” Georgia said, as we could see them both starting to get tired.

  “Yeah, tonight’s been really-fun sis, thanks for coming along,” Karen commented.

  “Yeah, it’s great to have you both here,” I added.

  “Hey thanks guys,” Nick replied.

  While, both of them got up and left. Karen and I stayed for another drink, taking care of the bill and sitting around talking.

  “So should we ditch these two and quickly jump on the train and head up the mountain tomorrow morning?” Karen asked.

  “Probably not a good idea, anyway take this time to hang out with your sister a little more,” I replied.

  “You mean the one that’s just left cause she’s tired,” Karen remarked, smirking at me.

  “Yeah, that’s the one,” I laughed.

  As we both finished our drinks and decided to make our way back slowly to the hotel, taking the long walk back.

  “Where should we go for dinner tomorrow?” Karen asked.

  “I’m not too sure, looking forward to taking in some sights and as soon as we get hungry let’s just find a place,” I replied.

  “Yeah, that sounds good actually.” Karen said.

  What would have been a ten minute walk back to the hotel, ended up being just a little under half an hour. We talked a lot on this trip, but nothing we spoke about was that important, Karen wanted to relax with her sister but felt like she had to give her room, because of Nick.

  “Nah, just talk to her don’t worry about Nick,” I suggested.

  “Do you think he’d understand?” Karen asked.

  “I’m actually not too sure,” I replied.

  As we stepped into our hotel room and crashed out.

  Only waking up the next morning with, Georgia and Nick knocking on the door.

  “Oh hey guys.” I yawned as I answered the door.

  “Thought we’d pop down and see if you guys were ready to head down for breakfast,” Georgia commented.

  As Karen walked up behind me.

  “Hey sis what time is it?” Karen asked.

  “Oh, it’s just after seven,” Georgia replied.

  I wasn’t happy about being woken so early, but Karen wasn’t wrapped either.

  “I’m going back to bed for a couple of hours, enjoy breakfast sis,” Karen remarked. before heading back into the bedroom.

  “I guess that’s a no, enjoy breakfast guys,” I added.

  As Georgia and Nick walked off.

  “Hey I’m gonna order some room service since I’m awake,” I said.

  “Yeah sounds good, I’m just gonna go a close my eyes for a bit longer,” Karen said, shaking her head and laughing walking back into the bedroom.

  The rest of the day was much of the same, we were all waiting for the others and Karen was starting to get really-annoyed. Once we had taken photos on the bridge and then planned to head up the mountain the next day at Ten in the morning, Karen decided enough was enough and told, Georgia we’d be heading off in a few days. In such a way that Georgia knew she wasn’t going to get the invite. Yet in a way the rest of our time in Switzerland ended up being better, and Karen and Georgia got on and were laughing and hugging when we got to the airport a couple of days later. Georgia thanked us both for letting her and Nick come along. I shock Nicks hand and hugged Georgia as we saw them off and headed down to our flight that was about to board, as Karen looked at photos then quickly ran back to Georgia to give her another hug.

  15

  Hannah in China

  We flew out from Bern and we were so tired, but walking through customs and grabbing a bottle of whiskey then seeing Devin had me laughing.

  “Hey bro, what time did you get in?” I remarked, standing up at the carousel waiting for our bags.

  “Oh, this is Karen,” I added.

  “Karen this is Devin,” I quickly remarked.

  “Hi Devin, how’s it going?” Karen asked.

  “Yeah, really-good, couldn’t have planned this any better,” Devin commented.

  “Hey man, we’re just over here,” as I pointed to our carousel, still waiting for our bags to appear.

  “Yeah, man I’ll see you guys just outside the doors,” Devin remarked.

  As he leaned over and grabbed his bag. I notice the pink ribbon on the suitcase.

  “You sure that’s your suitcase bro?”

  Devin just laughed at me and said. “Yeah it’s my nieces ribbon bro, take it easy.”

  “Oh, okay man?” I shrugged smiling.

  Karen and I walked over to our carousel, luckily our bags were the first ones out and we met up with Devin again just as we were walking out the door.

  “Oh wow, you never told me!” Hannah yelled.

  As she walked up and hugged Devin.

  I just smiled away as Karen waited to give Hannah a hug.

  “Hi Hannah,” Karen said.

  “Oh wow, so good to see you as well Karen,” Hannah insisted.

  Letting go of Devin and giving Karen a massive hug as well.

  I saw the look in Devin’s eyes at this stage and I know he’s trying not to laugh, just as, Whack!

  “You’re such a douchebag,” Hannah remarked, hugging me as well.

  As she had just thumped me on the shoulder.

  “Hey Hannah great to see you again,”

  “So have you been in China long?” I asked.

  “No, got in yesterday, the hotels all sorted, you’re such a dick, I can’t believe you didn’t tell me.”

  “Sorry Hannah, but we’ve been really busy,” Karen commented.

  “Oh, I don’t blame you Karen,” Hannah said, smiling.

  “I’m just a little bit in shock,” Hannah added.

  “Then Phil’s surprised worked then?” Karen asked.

  “Yeah, you got me douchebag,” Hannah mumbled.

  As Devin and I just laughed.

  “All right then let’s get out of here and drop our bags off,” I rema
rked.

  “Alright, the hotel courtesy van is just outside,” Hannah replied.

  “Awesome, can’t wait to have shower and get out of these clothes, did you find a place to get cheap suits?” I asked.

  “Yeah we’re all sorted for tomorrow, but I might have to ask them about Devin,” Hannah said.

  “What suits? Do we really want to go through that again?” Devin asked.

  “Yeah, what were you thinking Hannah?” I said, just as Devin started to laugh.

  “We’re all good I need a good suit anyway,” Devin insisted.

  “What happened last time?” Karen whispered into my ear.

  Devin and Hannah just looked at me, stunned that I hadn’t said anything to Karen.

  “You haven’t told her?” Devin asked me.

  “No, I haven’t, this trip isn’t about that,” I remarked.

  “Yeah, fair enough but still, how could you not tell her?” Hannah asked.

  Both starting to look a little bit pissed.

  “It’s okay I’ll tell her once we’re back at the hotel, let’s just get there first aye,” I remarked.

  Walking towards the little dude who was the one who was driving us back to the hotel where he worked. Both myself, Hannah and Devin had stupid grins on our faces and knew the first drink we had when we were back, was gonna be to our friends, we hadn’t forgotten about them and every now and again we still had to take a moment.

  Karen just gave my hand a little squeeze and I turned to her, and saw the dumfounded look on her face.

  “I’ll tell you once we get too the hotel.”

  Grabbing her bag and putting mine and hers into the back of the van, as Devin came over.

  “Hey bro, you need a hand with that?” I asked.

  “Yeah, cheers bro,” Devin replied.

  Grabbing Devin’s bag as well and all of us hopped into the van.

  “Hey man, where am I staying?” Devin asked,

  “All taken care of bro,” I said, looking at Hannah,

  “Um, yeah we should probably talk about that as well.”

  “Oh Hannah, what’s his name?” Karen asked,

  “Ha, it’s all good I confirmed the hotel details before leaving and booked another room just in case.”

  “In case of what?” Hannah asked.

  “In case you were seeing someone else Hannah,” I replied, with a sly wink.

  Finally, under way and the four of us staring out the windows to see what china was like.

  “Wow this place is really foggy,” I muttered.

  “It’s probably smog bro,” Devin replied.

  Karen was still pretty amazed we were here and just couldn’t stop smiling, Hannah was enjoying the scenery as well and was watching Karen pretty-closely.

  It took us a while to get to the hotel and get checked in, Devin tried to play credit card chicken on the counter so we let him, both Hannah and I, started laughing at the look on his face.

  “So guys, we’re gonna head up to our room. Do you want to meet us there in about half an hour?” I asked.

  “Yeah bro, sounds good,” Devin replied.

  “Yeah douchebag, will see you both then,” Hannah added.

  As Karen and I walked over to the lift and headed up to our room, Devin and Hannah stood around in the foyer talking to each other.

  “Will those two be okay?” Karen asked.

  “Yeah, should be fine, how are you feeling? Did you get much sleep on the plane?” I asked.

  “Yeah, I feel pretty good. That was a really-long flight though,” Karen laughed.

  “Yeah, let’s go and have a shower and freshen up,” I suggested.

  “Are we having a big one tonight?” Karen asked, with a massive smile on her face,

  “Yeah why not.”

  As I walked behind the porter as he opened the door for us and left our bags on our bed, before leaving I gave him a tip, and both Karen and I, just walked around our suite and checked out the view.

  “So what do you think?” I asked

  “This trip has been brilliant, I really needed this. Thank you so much Phil,” Karen remarked, walking over to me and gave me a hug.

  “You’re squeezing too tight Karen,” I joked, laughing.

  “I’m gonna go and have a shower,” I added.

  “Yeah, we’d better hurry, they’ll be here soon, I’ll grab the robes,” Karen said.

  As I just laughed and stripped off, as we both walked to the shower and Karen slapped me on the ass and told me to get in.

  We just laughed and quickly showered as we were expecting the knock on the door, we quickly got out and put our robes on, Karen stayed in the room as I walked out to open the door.

  “Hey you two come in, we’re just getting ready,” I said, to Hannah and Devin.

  Both of them, smiling at me in my robe as they walked in.

  “What is it?” I asked.

  “Where’s Karen?” Hannah asked

  “She’s getting changed and I heard the door,” I replied.

  “Oh yeah, and you’re in a robe bro,” Devin commented.

  “Cause, I just got out of the shower. Guys, we’re grown-ups,” I remarked, starting to laugh.

  “We showered together but Phil couldn’t get it up but for the record we could have done it and still been able to open the door for you both,” Karen said, coming back into the room, making the other two piss themselves laughing.

  “Thanks babe,” I said, shaking my head and looking at the floor.

  “Hey you two I’m just gonna get changed help yourself to the bar fridge and then we can go,” I remarked, walking past Karen smiling.

  Joining them a few minutes later, having chucked on a pair of jeans and a shirt.

  “Hey guys we ready,” I asked, walking out holding on to my shoes and socks as Karen grabbed a pair of shoes and came back to join us.

  “Yeah, there’s a great bar down stairs then we can ask where’s the best place for dinner,” Hannah said.

  “We also need to sort out the tour guide for tomorrow or the next day then the terracotta soldier trip, and if we don’t make it back to the train in time we might need to try and book or find accommodation,” I commented.

  “Ah, let’s go get a drink and worry about that tomorrow,” Karen replied.

  “Not to worry Phil, we sorted out the tour guide early thanks to Audrey,” Hannah said.

  “Oh that’s right, I’d forgotten.”

  “Awesome, is there any over-priced beer in that fridge?” I asked.

  “Yeah man, but let’s go down to the bar,” Devin suggested.

  “I don’t want to get to emotional up here,” Devin added.

  “Yeah fair enough bro, let’s go.”

  As we all headed to the door.

  “So how was the family in Rome?” Hannah asked Karen.

  “Yeah really-good thanks Hannah, we had a great time, only spoiled when my sister invited herself to come with us to Switzerland with some guy she met online,” Karen remarked.

  “Nick was okay, he didn’t say that much, though in Rome we got him hammered as we did in Bern also, and he made an ass of himself, perfect for Georgia,” I declared.

  Laughing we made our way down to the bar following Hannah and getting a table and ordering a bottle of wine and a beer each for Devin and I.

  As soon as my lips touched the top of that beer it was on, I hadn’t seen Hannah in ages and news that she was seeing someone was something I had to ask about.

  “Hey, so who’s the new guy?” I asked.

  “Ah, I thought you had forgotten, just someone from my work,” Hannah mentioned quickly.

  As we had an opportunity to ask the waiter for another beer, she might have thought we weren’t listening.

  “So this guy from your work,” I commented.

  As Karen just started laughing.

  “It’s not Barney,” Hannah replied.

  “He’s still with Kalliope I think?” Hannah added.

  “That’s not g
oing to stop me from asking questions Hannah,” I laughed.

  “So we seem to be smashing back these beers bro,” Devin quickly mentioned.

  “Yeah man, how you feeling? Must have been a long flight for you as well,” I replied.

  “Just let us know if you start to feel tired Devin,” Karen commented.

  “Same to you Karen,” Hannah added quickly,

  “Your flight must have been massive,” Hannah added.

  “Yeah, it was but we’re okay, Hannah, quit stalling,” I declared.

  As Devin turned to the waiter and got us another beer, I took a deep breath

  “Ah, challenge accepted,” I joked, shaking Devin’s hand pretty-tightly.

  “Oh no, you guys take it easy hey, Karen hasn’t seen this side of Phil yet,” Hannah said.

  “Hannah I’m okay, let’s be fair we’ll probably be in tears in a few hours anyway, at least this way we can blame the alcohol in our systems,” I replied.

  Devin just laughed, Hannah agreed and Karen just looked at me like I had been keeping a massive secret from her.

  “We lost a couple of friends during the terrorist attacks in London, Karen, that’s the short story,” I stated.

  As Hannah and Devin raised their glasses and I joined them,

  “To Cam and Susan!” We all toasted together.

  “Oh wow, I’m so sorry to hear that,” Karen remarked.

  As she got the attention of the waiter and got up quickly to talk to him. Only to sit back down with a massive smile on her face.

  “Oh no, you didn’t,” I laughed.

  “Don’t worry, it’s not Gager bombs,” Karen said.

  Hannah and Devin started to laugh.

  “No surely it can’t be?” I asked.

  “Yeah, I ordered tequila and we are snorting it, you can teach us,” Karen replied, with a massive smile on her face.

  “Yeah sounds good,” I said, cringing a little.

  Wait until I see that bloody Greg, I thought to myself.

  Standing up and walking over to the toilet, on the way back I walked up to the bar to see what was on the food menu, only to order a lot of finger food, before walking back to the table.

  “Ordered some food and a couple more beers and another bottle ladies,” I declared.

  Sitting back down and enjoying the comfort of the seat.

  “So how you’ve been Devin?” I asked.