The next morning, everyone assembled in a small clearing not far from the main camp, which was spread around an area centred on the Pisspot. It was warm, so Cliff found himself envying the Cleats in their scanty clothing. On his back was a small pack, containing water, food and whatever else he might need. Not far away, Lola had removed her stockings and was wearing a pair of Cleat sandals, but was otherwise dressed as usual for a workday at Fail Hill School. All the same, she had removed her glasses and released her hair so that it tumbled loosely over her shoulders.
On the other side of the clearing stood Alpen and Irina, looking rather tired. They were in conversation with the Professor and Suzanne, who had gone fully native, and was wearing a Cleat dress, complete with square holes down the sides and a lack of undergarments. Alpen yawned heavily, but fortunately, he was not going anywhere today -- Cliff and Lola's expeditionary force would be led by Gaytus and her sister Amanpus.
Gaytus was already in conversation with Lola, and looked up as Cliff walked over. "So are we ready Cliffstone?" she asked, struggling, as usual, with his name.
"Yes. Can we check the route?"
"I have a map," Gaytus pulled out a stiff roll of parchment, which she opened for them to see. "Here are the mountains which we are heading for. We pass the city on the western side."
"What's this?" asked Cliff, pointing to another area on the map.
"That is the Lake of Tentacle Monsters."
"Tentacle Monsters?" asked Lola, slightly alarmed.
Gaytus shrugged. "I am sure it is just a name."
"Tell me we have weapons," said Cliff.
Gaytus grinned, and handed them a machete each. "These should help us get through the jungle... and face anything else that's out there."
The others came over and said their farewells to the expeditionary party. "You know what to do?" asked the Professor for the umpteenth time.
"Knock out their power source, don't get caught," chanted Cliff.
"Let's go," said Gaytus, and the small team of 7 people headed off into the jungle.
Cliff found himself near the back with Lola. They walked in silence for a while, before he said, "Lola, are we cool?"
She glanced sidelong at him. "How do you mean?"
"I mean after all we've been through... are we still friends?"
"If that's what you want."
That gave him pause for thought. After a moment, he said, "you know what I want."
"Really?" said Lola, "because for as long as I've known you, you've kept me guessing."
Cliff didn't know what to say to that.
At lunchtime, Gaytus called a halt in a clearing, and everyone took a much needed rest. There was a trickling sound of a nearby brook, and so Cliff scrambled down to it for a drink and a wash. He found a small, thrillingly cold pond, and took off his shoes and socks. Then, as an afterthought, he removed his shirt and also his trousers, leaving him in just his briefs as he wandered out into the stream up to his thighs.
"Well that didn't take long." It was Lola McGovern, standing on the bank watching him with her arms crossed.
"Why don't you join me?" he suggested.
She seemed to consider this for a moment, and then slipped off the sandals she was wearing. After some hesitation, she also took off her skirt. She continued to look relatively respectable, as she was still wearing her torn slip. Cliff felt a little stab of excitement as she tucked it up in her undergarments, revealing her legs up to upper thigh. Then she stepped into the stream and gasped.
"It's cold!"
Cliff laughed and flicked some water at her.
"Stop that," she snapped. "I don't want to get wet."
"Okay," said Cliff, moving closer. Then he reached down, scooped up as much water as he could and threw it at her.
Lola yelled as the splash hit her square in the chest. Blouse and slip alike were now semi-transparent and clinging to her ample chest. "You... idiot!" she exclaimed. "Why did you do that?"
"Just trying to let you know what I want."
"Yeah, just one thing." But she now reached down and splashed water at him. He responded in kind, until they were both soaked and laughing, and then he stumbled and fell towards her, and suddenly they were rolling on the muddy bank, wrapped in each other's arms.
They stopped, heaving and panting and staring into each other's eyes. Cliff flicked a loose strand of hair from out of her face.
"Cliff..." said Lola, but didn't finish the sentence.
He didn't answer, just bent in and kissed her, and this time she responded, kissing him back with equal intensity.
"Oh... Sorry." They looked up. It was Amanpus, gathering firewood. She pointed over to one side, to indicate that she was leaving.
Lola laughed and pushed Cliff away. "Look at us," she said. "Half-naked and filthy."
"Just how I like it," said Cliff, and she pulled a face.
Lola got up and peeled off her blouse, leaving her in just the slip and her underwear. Cliff lay back on the bank, drinking in the sight. The slip was clinging to her curves, leaving her bra and panties clearly visible as she strode out into the stream and washed her blouse. Lola tolerated his gaze -- she seemed more relaxed than he'd ever seen her.
She got out and hung her blouse to dry on a bush. "Now," she said, "I might need some privacy. Why don't you get dressed?"
"No rush," said Cliff.
Lola sighed and picked up his trousers, but then something felt out of his pocket. She frowned and picked it up. It was a tiny, yellow thong. "Cliff," said Lola quietly, "what the fuck is this?"
Cliff stared at it, his mouth going dry. Suzanne's panties. He had forgotten he still had them. "No... no idea," he extemporised.
She looked at him, angry tears in her eyes. "Are these Suzanne's?"
"I... I don't know."
"Tell me the truth!" shouted Lola. "For once in your life, can't you do that?"
"All right. Yes. She took them off. I think she was trying to cheer me up."
"'Cheer you up'? Oh for fuck's sake." Lola threw the thong into the river. "To think that I... You disgust me, Cliff Stone. Go away."
"Lola, let me explain..."
"Just go!!"
It wasn't like he had much choice. Cliff left her there, and she didn't talk to him again for the rest of the day.