Purple Water

The car hummed as it travelled along the road, wind rushed through the open window, blowing Timmy's red hair, making his head look like a roaring flame. Next to him, Jane, his younger sister, sat asleep with her mouth wide open, a soft snore occasionally escaping. In the front seat, John slowly bobbed his head to a strange folk tone that played through the speakers. Tammy sat in the passenger seat, looking out the window.

"Are you going to have the best time?" she said, turning to Timmy, her blonde hair swishing in front of her face. "You'd better be on your best behaviour, even if it is your eighth birthday."

"I will, Mom," Timmy replied.

"You need to set a good example for your sister," John added. "She's only six and she looks up to you."

"Yes, Dad, I'll be good," Timmy assured him.

Turning into the car park, John looked for a suitable space, close to their venue.

"Have you guessed where we're going yet?" asked Jane, the huge banner for the water park could be seen easily behind her.

Timmy, so excited, did not even notice the massive letters, visible through the front window. "Are we going for ice cream?"

John laughed. "Not quite." He pointed to the huge sign in front of him.

"The water park!" Timmy nearly burst out of his skin with excitement. "Are we really going in there? I thought you didn't swim, Dad."

"Well, your mum is going to take you in. I'll watch from the side, okay," John informed him with a smile.

With a gentle pat from Tammy, Jane woke up. "What? Huh. Are we home?"

"No sweetie, we're at the water park."

"The water park, but I can't swim." Jane yawned.

"Don't worry, sweetie. There's a very shallow pool where I can teach you."

They exited the car and made their way to the front entrance where John got the tickets and gave them to Tammy before making his way to the spectator area.

"Come on then, kids," said Tammy as they made their way to the changing rooms.

Soon they had changed into their swimming suits and they left the changing rooms, heading towards the pool. The pool was alive with many people, the sounds of splashing and joyful shouts filled the air. The heavy smell of chlorine filled their noses.

Before they entered the pool, Tammy pulled the children in for a tight hug. "I'm going to take Jane to the babies' pool, okay."

"Yes Mum. Do I have to go in the baby pool?"

"No sweetie. You're a good swimmer. You go and have fun but just be careful, okay," Tammy instructed with a smile.

Timmy turned and headed towards the water, when he heard his mother's voice.

"Remember not to pee when you're in the pool, Timmy. You have to get out to go, okay."

"Yes, Mum."

Light shimmered off the surface of the water onto the walls, giving the room a calming, underwater feel, though the joyful screams created a strange contrast. Timmy stared in wonder at the huge water slides that stretched around the building like spaghetti. He let his excitement get the better of him and headed for the highest chute straight away.

Meanwhile, Tammy and Jane had been swimming in the baby pool.

"I'm tired," said Jane, looking towards the jacuzzi by the side of the pool.

"Okay. Let's go and have a break." Tammy looked over to the jacuzzi and noticed that John had positioned himself in a seat at the front near there. "Fancy some bubbles?"

"Yes please."

The two of them got out of the pool and headed in that direction.

As they reached the hot tub, John waved at them from the sitting area.

"Look Jane. It's Daddy."

A huge smile appeared on Jane's face as she waved. Excitedly she screamed, "Daddy."

They settled down into the calm, warm water.

"Where are the bubbles, Mummy?" asked Jane, confused.

"I don't know. Maybe we've got to fart," Tammy said with a grin.

"Oh." Jane looked disappointed, but then a look of focus appeared on her face. Then a little ripple of bubbles appeared around her.

Tammy held back a laugh, then she slyly reached for the bubble button. "You think that was good. Watch this." She waited for just a second and then pressed the button. Bubbles suddenly filled the water.

A look of complete surprise spread across Jane's face. "Mummy!"

Letting out a huge laugh, Tammy explained to Jane how the hot tub worked.

"Oh look, Mummy," Jane said, pointing. "Timmy is going down the slide."

Looking up, Tammy saw Timmy at the front of the queue of the biggest water slide. "Oh my."

Timmy stood, peering into the dark, red opening in front of him. Water rushed through the giant tube. He shivered.

"Okay. It's your turn," stated a young, blonde woman in a yellow T‑shirt and red shorts.

He nodded and took a tentative step forward. He heard chatter behind him and the roar of the rushing water in front. He sat down and allowed himself to calm a little before launching himself into the tunnel.

The red wall raced by as he shot through the tube. He felt exhilaration as he flew and he screamed with joy. Until he realised he was going so fast that he had no control. He stuck out his arms to try and slow himself, but instead he managed to turn himself around.

Now travelling uncontrollably, head first down the tube, all Timmy could do was let gravity do its work. His heart raced as panic welled inside him. But then his attention was taken by a new problem. His trunks caught on the walls as he went; he felt them being tugged down. He grabbed for them but it was too late.

Suddenly it was over. Timmy flew from the end of the chute and plunged into the water, submerging for a moment before he broke the surface. Seconds later his trunks jumped out of the water slide and landed straight on his head. He breathed a sigh of relief as he grabbed his trunks and quickly pulled them on before anyone noticed.

"That was lucky!" he said to himself as he looked around. "All that excitement has made me need to pee."

He looked around the pool, looking for the ladder out, his mother's words ringing in his head. Timmy quickly swam to the edge and climbed out of the water. He stood beside the pool, droplets of water falling from him. He saw his mother with Jane in the jacuzzi. He waved to them and they waved back. He recalled his mother's words; she had said to get out of the pool if he needed to pee. He'd done that. Satisfied, he dropped his trunks and began to pee into the pool. The water in front of him began to turn purple as his stream splashed into it.

Finished and happy, he pulled up his trunks and turned to his mother and held up his thumb, but was confused to see her striding towards him with a horrified look on her face, dragging Jane behind her by the hand.

As Tammy reached him, she grabbed his hand and turned for the changing rooms. "We have to go."

The lifeguard scowled and took a step down the ladder from her perched seat.

Tammy held up her hand. "Don't worry. We're leaving," said Tammy, red in the face as they quickly made their way from the scene.