Lauren's Holiday (Fun in the Mud)



This purely fictional story is posted as a tribute to Lauren19.
With her agreement!
In fact, she might even be about to update the story herself...........(her memory of events is probably clearest of all!)
Lauren19 has got some great stories here. Have a read, if you haven't already!


It was the year before Covid. We didn't know then, what these autumn months were. The last months of normality. The last chance to travel abroad or take a break at home. Mingling with friends and making new ones. We didn't know this then.

Lauren wasn't planning an autumn break. She was already saving towards a fortnight in Spain next summer, and that was something to look forward to.

Her best friend had another idea. Jules was going away. Nothing amazing, just a mid- week at a caravan holiday park. Right at the end of season. Probably freezing cold, but cheap as chips, so why not?

There were a group of them, mostly old friends from uni. Two caravans. Ended up as six lads and two girls. Well, it you think that sounds a great time for the girls, it really wasn't like that at all. They were all just mates, enjoying a drink and a laugh and most of all just catching up. It was fascinating to share their experiences, since they had all been in the "real world." There really wasn't any thought of romance in anyone's mind at all.

Then Jules' friend dropped out. Crisis at work. Couldn't get even a day off. There's the real world for you.

Jules' friend had already paid her share. So if Lauren fancied going, it needn't cost her at all. Well, it was an idea! Lauren immediately agreed, and was happy to put in the cost for herself. Jules friend could at least get her fifty pounds back! A quarter- share for a caravan in October wasn't much!

At a UK holiday site by the sea!

OK, it's not exactly "Le Cote de Azur."

There is something especially sad and forlorn about a holiday park at the end of season. The outdoor pool was closed. The sun loungers and plastic seats were all stacked away and stored under tarpaulin sheets. The water was drained, leaving the blue tiles looking faded and neglected. It is water, after all, which gives life. And gives a swimming pool life. And it was life itself, it seemed, that was gone for the winter.

Even the five a side pitches were closed. The boys were a bit put out by that. The brochure had promised five-a-side tournaments. They'd all brought their kit and had planned to raise a team.

Autumn leaves and bits of rubbish blew about. It was as if the whole place was hunkering down and waiting for spring. Not knowing that next spring, in one sense, was never going to come.

Lauren only knew Jules amongst them all, but they were a good bunch and everyone was welcoming. The boys were all in their early twenties. Late night drinking sessions and gaming were their thing.

Lauren liked having company, but at the same time she also enjoyed some space! She wandered off sometimes, walking along the beach, gazing out at the sea, while the boys went off to buy more beer.

It wasn't a bad holiday.

The boys congregated in one or other caravan until about three in the morning.

By that time Lauren was asleep.

First to bed and first up!

Lauren quite fancied a swim in the indoor pool, but none of the lads took her up on this. So the next day, she put her swimsuit on before she got dressed! She'd go for a swim today, even if she went by herself!

A poster appeared on the site.

"Mud Run Next Saturday!"

The holiday company were keen to increase footfall and revenue!

Seemed they'd arranged a "Mud Run" on the site, the day after Lauren's party were due to depart!

What's a Mud Run?

Lauren went on line, and she was fascinated by what she saw!

"Wow!" she thought, "I'd do that if we were still here!"

The pictures showed dozens of entrants struggling through muddy obstacles, their running gear obliterated by soaking wet filthy mud. They were sliding down a ramp into a mud pit, and crawling under ropes through more mud!

Lauren felt disappointed; this muddy fun was due to take place the day after they left!
What cruel luck! Not only could she have got probably the muddiest she had ever been in her life, but there would be loads of other people doing exactly the same!

Lauren was so taken with the thought; she couldn't stop herself from talking about it. One or two of the boys seemed quite interested, but Jules just said, "Yuck!"

It was Thursday. They were all due to go home tomorrow. Maybe she could come back next year, stay the week and enter herself!

Lauren wandered off. She'd find where the mud run was going to be, and get a better idea about it!

The playing field by the holiday park's hub was the starting point. There was a lot of work going on, rows of stakes being driven into the ground, a stage being constructed and areas being roped off.

A tractor was going back and forward, over little patches of ground, dragging an attachment which tore up the grass. Lauren could see three areas like this, each about ten metres square.
A fire hose was running, flooding this ground and then the tractor was churning it into mud!
So that was how they did it! These must be the mud pits which the runners would slide into and crawl through!

The boys arrived. On their way to the shop! Now it seemed that all the boys were interested. They said they'd do the mud run too, if only they'd been booked here til Saturday! The fire hose was dragged into each pit in turn, quickly followed by the tractor again. Its huge tyres were sinking a little deeper into the myre, each time it passed. Then they started all over again.

They all wandered back to the caravan. You Tube, beer and conversation. Lauren kept looking out of the window. About four, the contractors left. The outline of the course was clearer now. It would be dark soon.

"Why don't you just go and dive into the mud?" Harry asked. Lauren was startled. How on earth did Harry know that she wanted to do that?

"Well, you've never stopped looking out there all afternoon!" Harry added. He had a peculiar way of speaking, in a slow drawl, as if thinking carefully about each word as he spoke.

"I'm game!" Lauren replied quickly, before the conversation moved on to something else. She was emboldened by a little beer. "Let's all go and dive in the mud!"

Eveyone thought that was funny.

"Well," Harry replied very slowly and carefully, "Not just dive in. We could play football! Next best thing to five a side!"

There was a strong murmur of approval. Videos were getting a bit boring.

"Come on eveyone! Glasso mudfest! Mud football!"

"Coming, Lauren?"

"I'm in!"

"Jules?"

"No way! But I'm bringing my camera!"

"Do you need kit, Lauren?"

Lauren nodded. Moments later a shirt, shorts and socks were thrown over the room, as the boys all disappeared to change.

Lauren discarded her clothes, standing momentarily in her bikini before pulling on the borrowed soccer gear.

It was all vivid, pure white. The top felt so soft, light and smooth. It seemed to glide over her. The shorts were so silky. She tied the waistband tight. The socks felt a bit rough but they came up almost to her knees. There were boots too, but they did feel very uncomfortable. The thought of a mud bath was just perfect!

They all set off, Harry with a ball in hand. Lauren's boots went clickety-clack on the path and dragged a bit on the grass.

There was no-one in sight. Lauren's kit seemed to almost glow in the gloom, as if fluorescent. Everyone else had a red shirt and black shorts which blended more into the gathering twilight.

Back on the field, the ground seemed wetter underfoot and the fire hose cut a line in front of them. It led to the largest of the mud pits, where it gurgled slightly, coughing up little spurts of water onto the already saturated ground.

The pit was almost with covered with water, sparkling with reflections from the distant lights. Clumps of earth punctuated the surface, with flat patches of murky slime.

The ball was kicked out and six lads hurled themselves after it. There was a crescendo of splashes and slapping sounds, as six pairs of boots tried to find a grip. One body and then another went over, sending up showers of slime and water, and then one muddied player after another struggled to their feet.

Jules clicked away.

It was impossible to stay upright. One by one each of them was getting absolutely plastered with filth. Shirts and shorts became like sodden pieces of brown paper wrapping, hanging loosely from filthy limbs.

Nothing recognisable as soccer took place. It really was just a mud fest.

Lauren was still on the grass at the side. The lads were all kicking lumps from each other. She'd wait a moment, til they'd quietened down a bit.

"I know!" a voice said. "Let's take penalties! Lauren can go in goal!"

"Yes, OK!" Lauren tried not to sound too excited. "I'm taking my boots off! I can't move in them!"

A goal was made, with Lauren's two boots! Why did the goalmouth happen to be just about the muddiest and wettest patch of all?

Lauren stepped into the mud and squelched a few paces forward. Her feet quickly felt cold and wet. Each time she paused, she sank slightly and the mud crept over her toes and insteps. She tiptoed forward carefully. Her socks felt heavy and gripped her ankles.

Jules laughed and peered at her viewing screen.

"Ready!" Lauren grinned, glancing down at her pristine white things. Her tummy tingled with excitement. She'd always dreamed of doing something like this, and now it was for real!
She was such a contrast to the six mud monsters around her, like the model in an advert for washing powder.

The ball fizzed along the surface, sending out two trails of spray as it zipped past Lauren.
"Goal!"

The next shot did the same!

"Come on Lauren, dive for it! Get in that mud!"

Lauren crouched down. That was better! She could dive now; it wasn't so far to fall! The next shot came straight at her; she dropped onto her knees and stopped it.

"Save!" Mud and water ran down Lauren's shins as she stood up. Her socks were a dirty grey.

The next shot was softer, just to her right. This was it! Lauren sprung off her feet, which gave way from under her as she jumped. She half slid and half fell onto her side, reaching out to catch the ball as her shoulder landed. The ground felt so soft as she sank in. It was really cold against her bare legs and arms! Then it felt really wet.

Poor Lauren. She was covered down her side. Her sleeve felt soggy and heavy. She picked at the sodden leg of her shorts.

The lads quickly realized that the best way to get Lauren really muddy was to give her shots that she could just about save. So they did. Down she went, first on one side, then on the other.

A weak shot was spluttering slowly, it wasn't even going to reach her, so for good measure she made a frontal slide into the wet, lying flat out with the ball in hand while mud splattered her face and fringe. She swept her hair back. The last scrap of her kit still clean surrendered to the mud when she dropped onto her bum, falling right down backwards with another giggle. All her hair was covered now. Even her bikini felt damp and clingy.

Poor Lauren. But that was real fun!