Chapter 2

Chapter TWO 'You can't take all that!' said Mum, gesturing at the five packed suitcases by Dad's feet on the morning of our holiday. 'I need it all, insisted Dad. 'All my grooming products are in there. And the factor 60 sun cream.' 'They won't let you on the plane with all that,' said Mum. 'There's a luggage

allowance, remember. It said so on the tickets.' 'Humph,' said Dad. 'I still don't see why we have to go on a plane. We could have gone in a flying vampire taxi!'

'But we've won free plane flights,' said Mum. 'And it will be fun to have the full human holiday experience!' 'Humph,' said Dad again, but he opened his suitcases and began to take things out, huffing and puffing the whole time. 'You don't need much for a beach holiday,' said Mum, patting her small, neatly-packed handbag. 'All I'm taking is my swimming costume, some sunglasses, and a flower crown!' When Dad had finished condensing his five suitcases into one we left the house

and drove to the airport. I had never been to an airport before, and I felt butterflies of excitement flutter in my tummy as we neared the looming metal building. 'A monstrosity,' tutted Mum. Through a fence in the car park I could see planes. Some weren't moving, and others were just taking off or coming in to land. I hadn't realized quite how big they would be in real life.

'Wow!' I said, staring up at the sky with my mouth open. 'Quite something!' said Dad, staring up with me. 'They do look sleek and swish don't they! Maybe I'm quite excited about going on a plane after all!' We hurried into the airport, and to a desk where a lady wearing lots of lipstick looked at our passports and weighed our suitcases. 'You can go through to security now,' she said, as our suitcases disappeared along a conveyer belt. 'That way please,' and she pointed towards a sign that said 'Gate 23'

'Where's my suitcase going?' said Dad. He sounded worried. Will I get it back?' 'Of course,' smiled the lady. 'You'll see it again at the other end!'