Millie and Lauren

Several times, you heard those nearby mutter "Jesus, Shut the fuck up!" But they would not be deterred. Mr Benz actually got annoyed with it and asked Mr Robbo who the offending duo were.

"It's Millie Barker and Lauren Anderson" he replied with a half smile that was difficult to interpret.

Millie wasn't particularly attractive, but Lauren looked alright, you thought. She had a badly chapped upper lip though and since they were both being extremely annoying, you were as unimpressed as the teachers.

The girls were on the opposite side of the aisle and about 4 rows further back but everyone on board knew they were there!

The crossing into France came and went and the journey passed in no time, Mr Benz and Robbo's banter making it really enjoyable. You did remember thinking "these two literally have no idea that I can hear every word they're saying!" A fact that would prove interesting over the next couple of days.

The Friday involved traipsing around a museum including some reconstructed trench systems, taking in some of the cemeteries for the brave fallen of the century old conflict. It was sombre and everyone was moved. Lauren and Millie, you noticed, were recording things in their booklets diligently. It made you smile because you'd judged them earlier but saw they knew about keeping things appropriate in the right circumstances.

At the hostel, some of the dorms boasted 8, 9 and 10 occupancies yet you and Sam somehow scored a little twin room usually reserved for the drivers of the two coaches but they'd been installed elsewhere by the operating company over some historic dispute (info gleaned from earwigging the teachers' conversations earlier).

You joked as you made your beds about the girls you'd bring back later but knew in your heart of hearts that was absolutely not likely to happen.