There was a scream from 3 Island Street to disturb the girls’ intimate, deep, meaningful conversation. Seconds later, Lydia came rushing down Victoria Quay, her face beaming, her eyes alight with excitement. Mrs Forster, whose husband, Colonel Forster, trained all the lifeguards, had invited her to join them at the official lifeguard summer camp at South Sands!
“I’m off to stay at South Sands,” she yelled in rapturous delight. Kitty came trawling behind her, crying, “It’s not fair! It’s so like not fair!”
Lizzy was horrified. Goodness knows what mischief Lydia would get up to, running riot amongst all the red-and-yellows. “Father!” she implored. “Lydia will embarrass the whole family and cause untold damage!”
“Poor Lizzy!” replied Mr Bennet. “Has your naughty little sister been upsetting your lovers? Tut! Tut! I say, the farther away she is from here the better.”
“It’s not fair! It’s so like not fair!” cried Kitty.
Wickham, who would of course be returning to South Sands for hard lifeguard training, came to say “hello” and “cheerio” to Lizzy. He could not help probing her for a little info: “Were there any other guests while you were at Little Rosings on the Rocks?”
“We had the pleasure of Mr Darcy and the delightful Colin staying at Rosings on the Rocks, both of whom we saw a great deal, and both of whom appeared only the more delightful the more one saw of them and learnt of their true natures and histories.”
“I… oh… um… well, cheerio then,” said Wickham in confusion, and he left, only tripping over his own feet so as to tumble out headfirst into Island Street.