Maddie was awoken at what felt like an ungodly hour by Posy walking into the dresser and loudly cursing the shooting pain that greeted her thigh, and she rolled onto her back on the ridiculously comfortable bed.

"Christ, Posy," she muttered, rubbing her eyes and heaving a sigh. "Way to wake me up."

"Sorry," Posy said with a laugh, "but it is after eleven. I figured it's getting close to time for you to wake up."

"It's eleven?" Maddie struggled to sit up, grabbing her phone and squinting at the screen, though the time was evident from the hot sun that streamed through the window and bathed her in warm light. "Shit," she muttered when her phone confirmed that it was indeed four minutes past eleven in the morning, and she had a text from her father, checking in that she had arrived safely. Locking her phone, she vowed to respond later.

Posy bent forward and scooped her freshly brushed hair into a blonde explosion, twisting her hair round and round itself so that she didn't have to use a bobble. Maddie stretched and tipped herself out of the bed that had comforted her like a cloud, rooting through her suitcase for fresh underwear and pulling on yesterday's shorts before she peeled off the top she had slept in and found a bra.

"How'd you sleep?" Posy asked, running a chap stick over her lips and adjusting her almost disproportionately generous breasts in the mirror and straightening her back.

"Pretty well, it would seem," Maddie said with a laugh, finding a clean tank top and running her fingers through her hair before tying it in a corkscrew on top of her head. "You?"

"Deliciously," Posy said with a delighted roll of her eyes. "I swear to God, that bed alone is worth every penny." She rifled through her bag, taking out her tablet and unlocking it before turning it round to show Maddie the screen. "I was thinking we could head here for a spot of brunch."

The word alone was enough to make Maddie salivate, envisaging toast and avocado, runny yolks and ham. She wasn't much of a breakfast person, easily tiring of the cycle of cereal she kept in the cupboard, but brunch was easily one of her favourite treats, and the place Posy had found sounded perfect.

"We'd better get a wiggle on," Posy said, taking Maddie's grin as an affirmative. "It stops serving brunch at midday."

*

Twenty-three minutes later, they sat at an outdoor table at what seemed to be a rather unknown brunch place, somewhere Posy had found in the depths of Brighton's recommended eateries. The sun was hot on Maddie's face and she basked in the warmth, barely a cloud to obstruct the heat. It had taken her less than a minute to decide what to order, heading straight for the creamy eggs benedict with a side of creamed spinach. A brilliantly red glass of iced tea stood glittering in front of her, the bright light refracting off the ice cubes.

"Mads?"

She opened her eyes at Posy's voice, giving her a soft smile. "Yeah?"

"I spoke to my parents this morning," she said, leaning forward and lifting her latte to her lips.

"You did? What about?"

Posy took another sip, resting back in her seat. "Well, I mostly spoke to my dad, really," she said. "We talked about travelling."

Maddie pulled her eyebrows together, the slightest hint of confusion. "As a family?"

Posy laughed, her eyes sparkling and showing off perfect teeth. "No, you idiot," she said. "Travelling with you."

Sitting straighter, Maddie watched her friend as she spoke, focusing her attention nowhere else. "You did? What'd you say? What'd they say?"

Posy nodded slowly, her grin blossoming. "They were surprisingly supportive, actually. I said that I have no commitments at home and I might never get another chance to see the world. And you know my dad," she said. Maddie did know Posy's father, a liberal man who had shunned university and spent much of his twenties travelling before meeting his wife in Budapest. Posy finished her latte and continued. "He said if it was up to him then travel would hold more merit than university, and he always hoped I'd want to see the world."

Maddie teetered on the edge of her seat, waiting for the confirmation she desperately wanted to hear.

"I'm going to do it," Posy said, and no sooner had the words left her lips than Maddie had launched herself out of her seat to throw her arms around her friend with an excited squeal. Posy laughed into her hair, holding her in a tight hug. "I'm taking that as a good reaction?"

Maddie sat back down, grinning from ear to ear. "That's a brilliant reaction," she said. "God, I didn't even realise until yesterday that actually, I don't want to do it alone. I want you with me."

"I want to be with you," Posy said, a pretty hint of laughter in her sing song voice. "I realised that the way I felt every time you talked about travelling was jealousy, and I wanted to do it too. And if I can put off real life for another year, then that's only another benefit."

Maddie couldn't rid herself of the cheek-aching beam, her mind buzzing with hundreds of images of her and Posy taking countries by storm, exploring everything that the world had to offer her. A young graduate, she knew she would have to fight for her place in life, and she was prepared to do so, but not before she had seen as much as she could.

"Now I have even more of a reason to be excited about this year," she said, buzzing in her seat. She couldn't wait to plan the trip, envisaging her and Posy pinning their dreams on a huge map of the world. Soon, she hoped, that would be the reality.

"You have no idea how relieved I felt when I decided to do this," Posy mused. "I didn't realise how stressed I was about this year until I said fuck it."

"It's going to be expensive," Maddie warned, and her friend nodded.

"I know. I've got money from my savings, and two sets of grandparents," she said. Despite appearing like a frivolous spender, she was in fact very careful with her money. Her student loan had been squirrelled away in her savings, only occasionally chipping into it for food or clothes, and over the years it had added up, along with what she had earnt from continuous employment since she was sixteen. Five years of counting pennies had put her in a very fortunate position.

*

Bellies sated with the most succulent brunch, the taste lingering on Maddie's tongue long after she had reluctantly swallowed the last mouthful of bright orange yolk and salty bacon, they wandered along the promenade that ran parallel to the seafront. The occasional breeze provided a moment's respite from the heat as they walked arm in arm, relishing in the friendship that had anchored itself in calm waters and showed no sign of moving.

Posy steered the way, veering away from the beach and towards Churchill Square, and Maddie continued in synchronised step, no need to question the friend she trusted implicitly as they headed up the road.

"I was thinking we could head to Devil's Dyke," Posy said. Maddie raised a furrowed brow.

"Huh? What's that?"

"It's part of the South Downs," she said. "The national park, about half an hour from here. It's amazing. I came here with Mum last year and I've always wanted to go back. It's high up and you can see for miles, and there are always tons of hang gliders setting off from the top. Plus it gets the heat and the breeze, best of both worlds." She stepped forward when the number seventy-seven bus pulled up, edging towards the door and pulling Maddie along with her, paying for both of them before Maddie could protest.

"You have got to stop paying for everything," she said once they found a seat on the open top deck. "I swear to God, you are not paying for another thing."

"It's my treat," Posy said. She had grown up in a household that preached generosity, her parents better off than most, and it was in her blood to give. Though she never said it out loud, she knew Maddie and her father didn't have much disposable income.

"Well, not anymore. That's the last thing you pay for. I mean it," Maddie said, scolding her friend, but it was hard to keep a straight face when she was so happy. The bus set off from the stop, the wind whipping through loose strands of her hair while the sun continued to warm her cheeks.

The thirty minute journey wound through the city before the buildings fell away, giving way to the brilliant green of fields and rolling hills, trees rising from the ground. Maddie hung her elbow over the side of the bus' rail, eyes closed, pretending she was on a rollercoaster. There were no double-decker buses in Farnleigh, something of a novelty when she was so used to her stuffy local bus, crammed with old people and their shopping trolleys or too many young mothers with prams and wailing babies.

This was different. A breath of fresh air in every way. And the air really was fresh, smelling different to the air Maddie was used to. This was clean and green, the unmistakeable smell of the countryside.

"Anyone would've thought you'd never been on a bus before," Posy said with a laugh, nudging Maddie with her elbow, who simply sighed her contentment.

*

Posy's description had been entirely accurate, of the rolling hills and steep valley that formed a huge crease in the countryside. The highest point of the hill was littered with hang gliders, the sky beyond dotted with them floating through the air.

They found a quiet spot from where they could people-watch and sunbathe in peace, with magnificent views over the Sussex countryside. Maddie sat with her elbows on her knees, silently appreciating her situation.

"Mads."

"Mmm?"

"As much as I hate to bring this up, I feel like we need to talk about what happened," Posy said, sitting just inches from Maddie, who knew without question what she was referring to. Posy continued, saying, "We haven't spoken a ton since I last saw you, and everything seemed to be a bit of a mess and I need to know that it's all ok."

"It's all ok," Maddie said.

"What happened?"

She took a deep breath, shifting her position so she faced Posy. "I talked to Peter. He asked me to talk, actually, and I was kind of shitting myself about it all. We met in the park and he kind of explained himself."

"What'd he say?" Posy leant forward over her raised knees, concern etched into her features. "I can't imagine there's a lot that could excuse him."

"Not really," Maddie agreed, plucking at the grass for something to do with her hands. "Ryan didn't lie, which part of me had hoped was the truth. They dated for a whole year and then Peter dumped him because he was confused and he seemed pretty upset about the whole thing. He still is, I think. And he was very apologetic about keeping it all from me. He really did sound very torn up about it all." She sighed. "I kind of feel bad for giving him so much shit about it."

"You shouldn't. No matter how confused he is, he still majorly screwed you over," Posy said, always an ardent supporter of her friend and protector of her feelings.

"It was good," Maddie said. "We talked it all out and we agreed that it was a mistake, the whole sex thing. He's always been one of my closest friends and I don't want to lose that. He may fucking suck as a boyfriend or whatever we were, but he's my friend still."

"Did you guys talk about that, then? Being friends?"

She nodded, smiling up at Posy. "Yeah," she said. "We made up. It felt so good, seriously. He apologised, a lot, and he admitted that he did some shitty stuff, which I guess was all I needed."

Posy let out a long sigh. "I'm glad," she said at last. "So, d'you reckon he still has a thing for Ryan?"

After a pause, Maddie slowly nodded. "I got the impression, yeah. I think he really does."

"How do you feel about that?"

It was something Maddie had thought about a lot over the past few days, weighing up every part of the implication, envisaging her best friend and her cousin together - again. "I think I'm ok with it," she said. "I mean, Peter's my friend and Ryan's my cousin, so naturally I want the best for them. Right? And if they're happy as a couple, then I'm happy."

"God," Posy said. "You're a bigger person than I am. I think it'd still freak me out a bit, knowing my cousin's fucking someone I fucked."

"Ryan's miserable," Maddie said. "And I was doing the maths, and it does all figure out. He turned sour around the same time Peter says they broke up, and it makes sense that he took it all out on me. It sucks, but it makes sense."

Posy lay back, her head resting on her arms, and Maddie followed suit, turning to face her friend as they spoke.

"How're things with you and Ryan?"

"I need to talk to him," Maddie mused, pondering the conversation she needed to have with her cousin. "Peter said he was going to talk to him, so who knows what will happen there, but I'm going to go over once we're back. I think a lot of air still needs clearing, and I think I know how to do it now."

"Such a pragmatist," Posy said with a chuckle. "Look at you, going round sorting all this out." She trailed off, a pause hanging onto the end of the sentence, and Maddie knew what was coming next so she intercepted.

"You're going to ask about Nick," she said. Posy nodded.

"You read my mind. You guys slept together?"

It was Maddie's turn to nod. "After the whole thing with Peter, he invited me over to his neighbour's party and it was exactly what I needed. We drank and we danced and it was really fun, and then we headed back to his place."

Posy listened intently, her eyes not once leaving Maddie's, though Maddie occasionally averted her gaze as she recounted the night that gave her tingles to think about.

"He told me that he likes me and that he always did but he didn't want to make a move while we were flatmates, and, well..."

"You had a crush on him," Posy said with a smile. Not long into the three of them living together, Maddie had admitted to Posy that she had a thing for Nick. Of course, back then it had gone no further.

"It all came out," Maddie said. "And Nick is just amazing. Like, I can't even explain. You know, of course. He cares, and he worries."

"Mmhmm," Posy said. "But I worry, Mads. Is it a good idea to rush straight into another relationship? You know I want the best for you, and for Nick too, and the idea of you two together is beyond adorable, but it's very soon."

"I know," Maddie said with a laugh. "Don't worry, I channeled my inner Posy. We talked."

Posy propped herself up on her elbows. "You did?" Then she laughed. "God, you really are dealing with everything."

"You've trained me well," she joked. "I really like him. God, I can't explain how much, but I told him that I am not in any position to go back to dating right now, especially with travelling coming up, and he was so understanding and supportive."

She rolled onto her side, her hand holding up her head while she continued to fiddle with the grass. "His neighbour was having a couple of drinks and he asked me over, and we talked. I told him that Peter and I broke up and that the timing wasn't right, but that I would love to revisit us. Once I'm back, and everything's settled down more. And he said he'll wait for me."

Posy laughed, rolling onto her back and facing the sky. "God, Mads. You've got everything sorted. I envy you. You managed to turn a potential disaster with Peter into a salvaged friendship; you're travelling the world, and you secured yourself a boyfriend for when you get back. And a boyfriend I highly approve of, by the way."

Relief flooded Maddie's body. Her biggest fear had been Posy disapproving of her embarking on a relationship with Nick, whether because it was too soon or too weird, but the opposite had become true. "Thanks, Posy. You have no idea how much that means to me."

"As long as you're happy."

"I am."

Posy smiled. "Then so am I. And Nick's a keeper. Don't fuck it up."

"I'll try my best."

"I do have one question." Posy rolled onto her side. "You don't have to answer, of course. I'm just curious ... how was Nick?"

"In bed?"

Posy nodded and Maddie spluttered before she sat up.

"Amazing. Quite rough, but in a good way, if you know what I mean," she said, crossing her legs as she recalled the night. "I did ache quite a bit in the morning, but my God, he knows what he's doing. And he's rather well-endowed. I seriously thought I was going pass out, I came so hard."

"Oh, wow," Posy said, always ready for a bit of juicy gossip. "A lot?"

"I kind of lost count," Maddie admitted, remembering the pulsing rush of her body and his, how stars had dotted her vision when she could no longer tell when one orgasm finished and the next began.

"Jesus Christ. You had a good night then."

Maddie nodded, grinning. "I had an incredible night."

*

Posy lay snoozing on the grass, her chest slowly heaving as she dozed in the warm light, the strength of its heat obstructed by a thin smattering of clouds. Maddie watched the gliders for a while before she took out her phone, moving away from Posy so she didn't wake her, and she rang her father's work number.

He picked up almost immediately. "Jung-min Hyun," he said in the clipped tone he reserved for work only.

"Hey, appa," Maddie said, sitting beneath the shade of a birch tree.

"Maddie, ttal, how are you?" His voice changed, softening to the fatherly tone she knew best.

"I'm good, thanks," she said, a soft smile gracing her lips. "How're you?"

"Lonely," he said, though there was a lightness in his voice. "I know you've been away for much longer before, but it's been weird not having you around. I've got used to your presence this summer." He paused before he said, "I hope you and Posy are having a good time."

"We really are," she said. "It's amazing, and the weather down here is incredible. I can't believe I'm still in England." The words were accompanied by a laugh, which her father echoed on the other end of the line.

"I'm glad, ttal. You needed this, I think."

"I did," she agreed. "I actually rang to tell you something."

"Oh?"

"Posy's joining me," she said. "When I travel, I mean. Posy's coming too. She's taking a year out and we're going to travel together."

She could hear the relief in the way her father sighed.

"That's absolutely wonderful," he said. "I'm so glad you'll have Posy. She's a good girl. And I know you're old enough, but I was rather nervous about you travelling alone."

"Me too," Maddie admitted, glancing over at her sleeping friend, the voice of reason in her sometimes scattered life.

"Enjoy the rest of your trip, ttal. Come home soon. The house is ever so quiet without you."

Maddie chuckled. "I'll be back in a couple of days," she said. "Love you, Dad."

"I love you too, Maddie. Have a wonderful time."

With goodbyes bid, Maddie hung up and sat for a moment with her phone in her hand, watching the sun dip behind clouds before it reappeared stronger than before and cast a glow over her skin, and she couldn't help but feel as though the weather was reflecting her mood. She had emerged from a week that had crushed her, ready to fight what the world threw at her, and the weight on her shoulders had never felt lighter. 

+ - + - +

another chapter so soon! thank my rather lenient university schedule of two hours today, followed by five hours writing in the campus coffee shop. i hope you liked this and that you're looking forward to the last few chapters of this story!

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