Hours had passed when Poppy finally opened her eyes. She stared at the ceiling for a few seconds, not knowing where she was. Then she remembered and turned her head towards Joe. He was fidgeting in his sleep.

'' Uncle Joe! Wake up!'' she called.

He opened his eyes slowly and muttered, '' what? I barely close my eyes.''

She grabbed her mobile phone from the bedside table and checked the time. '' Oh my God, Uncle Joe! We've been sleeping for two hours. We are late.''

'' Aarrgghh!'' The bloody meet and greet!'' He said while rubbing his eyes. He then pulled himself slowly off the bed and passed his hands through his bedhead hair. '' Okay, let's just go.''

Poppy smiled and jumped out of her bed.

"By the way Poppy, I have good news for you,'' Said Joe while reaching for his glasses. '' I chose this hotel because they have separate tour groups, one for the adults and one just for teenagers. They cater only to families. You'll be with kids your age, and you can make friends! You won't need to hang out with me during the entire trip!"

Poppy's face dropped; she slowly walked to the window and gazed silently outside. She started nervously fiddling with her fingers, trying to think of something to say to him.

Not hearing an answer, Joe raised his head, frowned and asked, "Poppy, did you hear what I just said?"

She knew that her uncle always worried about her, and she didn't want him to think she was unhappy.

Since her parents' passing, her uncle has been trying his best to take care of her. Even making sacrifices for her. He had recently taken a job at the University of Lancashire knowing well that it will stop him from pursuing his own dream.

" What about my allowance from the trust my parents opened for me? Can't you use that money?" She asked him the day he told her about his lecturer position. "I thought you wanted to be a relic hunter."

Joe gave her a sad smile. " Relic hunting jobs are not regular sweetheart and bills are piling up. We, need me to take that job."

He took her hand gently. '' And touching your trust is a firm No. Your school tuition goes a big chunk every term already. Besides, I will be working only part-time to start with so I'll still get plenty of time to look for artefacts.''

Noticing the sadness in her eyes, he suddenly grabbed one of her sun hats and made a dramatic pose. '' Lecturer by day and Indiana Jones by night. What do you think?''

She laughed and nodded.

Standing here now, in their hotel room and thinking about it, all she wanted was to try harder just for him. So she took a big breath, turned around, smiled and gave her uncle two thumbs up.

Joe kissed her forehead, and they started getting ready. Twenty minutes later, they made their way downstairs. As soon as they arrive, Hanane walked up to them, her head tilted with a smile on her face. "I'm glad you decided to join us. But we are running extremely late. I beg your forgiveness?'' She said in a flirty tone.

Joe blushed and answered, ''yes, of course. We are late as well. Sorry.''

'' Not that late apparently.'' blurted out Poppy.

Hanane giggled. '' The tour guides are not here yet but I can assure you that they are on their way. In the meantime, we have someone in the dining room playing some traditional Egyptian songs with the guitar. I am sure that you'll enjoy it.''

Joe stood silent with a grin on his face, and Poppy rolled her eyes.

"Thank you for letting us know," said Poppy with a weak smile.

She grabbed her uncle's hand, dragging him toward the dining room. She could hear Hanane and one of her colleagues giggling behind them.

The buffet offered a large variety of dishes, most being continental. Poppy and Joe looked at each other, wrinkled their noses and went straight for the hot drinks.

"I can see some kids over there,'' Joe said pointing with his chin towards the end of the corridor. ''You can join them if you like. I'll come and find you once the tour guides arrive."

Poppy glanced in their direction; she saw a few silhouettes. It looked like the teenagers had chosen to hang in the courtyard.

She grimaces. Here we go.

She took a few steps toward them, but stopped in the middle of the corridor.

"Maybe later," she whispered to herself, turned around and got back to the dining room. She sat on an armchair hidden by one of the many large plants placed around the dining room to hide from her uncle.

She peeked out at her uncle from behind the plant and saw him across the dining room chatting to a red-headed couple. He looked relaxed and seemed to enjoy his conversation.

Maybe I should try for him

She looked around and spotted a blond teenager with rosy cheeks; she seems friendly enough and alone. What do I have to lose?

The girl was now standing next to the fresh juice section. Poppy got up and strolled in her direction.

"Excuse me! Hello!" she said as soon as she reached the table.

The girl turned toward her and smiled, "do you know what that drink is?" asked Poppy in a friendly voice while pointing at the drink.

The girl's smile grew, and she replied with a soft voice, "It's a lotus flower drink. Try it! It's beyond delicious. I haven't been able to stop drinking it since I arrived."

Poppy poured herself a glass and took a sip, "Yum, you are right; it is delicious."

The teenager extended her hand and introduced herself. "I am Lucy."

Poppy shook her hand, "Nice to meet you; I am Poppy."

There was a loud noise, and Poppy jumped.

Lucy laughed, "Nothing to worry about; it is just our little group."

Poppy looked hesitant, so Lucy grabbed her by the hand and said with a smile, "Come on, they will not eat you."

Poppy's heart beat faster, and she could feel herself growing pale as they were approaching the group. Four boys were playing a game on an old football table, two other teenagers were sitting on a rattan sofa, and a larger group made of five teenagers was standing together, chatting and laughing.

Lucy walked up to the big group and said, "Hey guys, this is Poppy; she just arrived at the hotel."

Three girls and two boys turned toward them and smiled. They all seemed to be around fifteen years old. Please let them be friendly.

She waved nervously at them and said, "Hi!"

"Hi!" responded the group simultaneously while waving back at her.

Twenty minutes into the conversation and Poppy knew she was in trouble.

How long are they going to talk about fashion and celebrities? Or maybe it is just me. I have lived locked in my room for too long.

Eventually, her eyes started wandering, so she said "Excuse me, I think my uncle is looking for me. It was nice meeting all of you, " and she waved goodbye.

Since I have some time to kill, I may as well explore the rest of the hotel, starting with the garden, she thought while quickly moving away from them.