"Can I go to the toilet for a minute, please?" I ask Mr Enzo. 

"Yes, of course, but not too long. I want to finish the lesson together" he replies.

As I stand up and push my chair away, Anne looks at me. She doesn't have to say anything, but I know that no matter what this message says, she'll be there for me. And that's a good feeling.

Quickly I leave the room and head for the toilets. As I close the door, I have a bad feeling. I feel sick but I try to calm myself down by taking deep breaths. I take my mobile phone out of my pocket, open the message from my mother and start reading.

Dear Lily, I'm sorry it's taken so long. But your grandfather didn't come in until later and then the operation took even longer than expected. But he's doing well. He's doing well Lily. He came through it well and is now in the recovery room. I'll get back to you later this evening. I love you and I look forward to seeing you again soon, Mum.

When I read the message, my hands start to shake first. Then my whole body starts shaking and I start to cry. Not out of sadness, but because all my worries are falling away and I'm so happy about this positive news. Only now do I realise how tense I was. I have to sit down and lean my head against the door. He's fine, my mum wrote. That's all that matters at the moment. I wipe my tears away on my T-shirt and start breathing normally again. As Mr. Enzo has said I can't stay out late, I get up again and walk back towards the classroom. Before I do, I take a quick look in the mirror and see puffy, red eyes but a relaxed smile on my reflection.

When I come back in the classroom, Anne looks straight at me. She looks worried and can probably see my puffy eyes. I try to calm her down with my thumbs up. It doesn't quite seem to work so I quickly go to her and sit down at our table again. Anne looks at me but says nothing. 

"Everything went well. He came through the operation well and is now in the recovery room," I whisper to her.

She starts to smile and puts her hand on mine. 

"I'm glad!" she says a little too loudly, causing some of our classmates to turn to us. 

I quickly pull my hand away from hers and blush. 

"Quiet please," says Mr Enzo in our direction. 

Anne starts to laugh and I can't help it either. 

"Lily and Anne, what's so funny?" asks Mr Enzo. 

"Nothing, sir. We're just so happy to be here and to be learning about sea urchins," replies Anne, laughing even harder. 

Her wrinkle appears between her eyebrows again. What a great person, I think to myself.

After the last lesson and lunch, we all sit together on the beach. Anne and Chloe play volleyball and I sit on my beach towel with Hannah and a good book. 

"I can't believe this week is already over. We haven't really experienced anything and got to know the people here," Hannah says to me. 

I look up from my book and watch Anne as she has to get the ball out of the water. 

"Yes, it's a shame that we have to go back tomorrow morning, but we've experienced a lot, don't you think Hannah?" I ask her. 

“Far too little in my opinion,” she says and lies down on her bath towel. "And I couldn't do much with Anne and Chloe either. Luckily you were still there Lily."

Anne has managed to fish the ball out of the water and they get back to playing. When I think back to the beginning of the week, it feels so far away. I have never met anyone like Anne. I will miss her openness, her warmth and the balcony chats when we return to our everyday lives. Her hugs have sustained me through the difficult times here and I can't imagine how I'll get through it at home without them. It makes me sad and I'm just about to continue reading my book when Anne calls my name.

"Lily. Do you fancy some ice cream? We still have to do our taste test. Mint for the win."

Before I can answer, she stands in front of me and holds out her hand. "Ready for a flavour adventure, Buddy?" 

As I take her hand and stand up, I reply: "With you? Always."

She pulls me up and I feel that warm, exciting feeling in my body again. And I find myself hoping that I can take this feeling home with me.