I guffaw. Not for the first time, I wish I had her confidence. ‘Hen–’
‘Well, Owen and Josh do. I’m just saying I’ll be astonished if they aren’t up for a bit of harmless treasure hunt fun. They’re nice guys too; if they know it matters to us I actually think they’ll want to help.’
I wonder if this might also be applicable to Elliot. Surely he would want to do this as well to try to win a ticket for his brother?
I clutch the drumstick tightly in my palm. Up until this morning, that had been the ultimate prize. As much as I still desperately hope that I’ll be the one to keep it, I have to admit there’s something even bigger at stake now.
We arriveto the sight of Owen and Elliot relaxing in camp chairs on the patch of grass between their tents. Elliot’s hair, I notice with irritation, is back to its perfectly tousled state. I want to empty my water bottle onto it.
‘Look alive! We have something serious to discuss!’ Hennie announces.
Owen shoots up in his seat. ‘Good morning,’ he says brightly.
Elliot is much more subdued in comparison. I approach his side and notice his strange, measured stare in my direction. He slowly rises out of his chair, taking me in with such a look of disbelief that I’malmostoffended.
‘Told you I’d come back, doubter,’ I quip.
He steps closer to me with a soft smile.
‘Alright, princess, dedication proven,’ he says quietly. With no further comment, his hand reaches over to grasp the other end of the drumstick and we’re attached once again.
‘Have youseen what Queen Ego are doing, Elliot? If that’s even your real name? Are you even aware?’ Hennie asks, ripping her phone out of her pocket.
‘Aware of what?’ Elliot says with a note of wariness.
Hennie fills the boys in with urgency. Owen’s eyes are bright with excitement but Elliot remains expressionless.
‘We have to do it, right?’ Owen says, turning to Elliot. ‘A chance to actually meet them for your brother? There’s no way you’re turning down that chance.’
Elliot frowns at the ground before running a nervous hand through his hair.
‘Come on, as a team we’d be unstoppable,’ Hennie urges.
‘She’s right,’ I agree. ‘Our commitment combined with your strangely unshakable calm and Josh and Owen’s Firecrest knowledge, we’re the perfect team. There is also the small addition that we’re already attached and Iwillbe partaking in this treasure hunt even if I have to drag you along by force.’
‘Is this definitely real? Is it even allowed? I doubt they’re doing this with permission from the festival,’ Elliot notes with a scepticism.
Hennie loudly scoffs. ‘Fucking hell. Someone get this guy some handcuffs so he can arrest the band. Are you always so deeply boring?’
Owen whirls away from us as he guffaws with laughter.
‘Your friend, if I haven’t mentioned, is very charming,’ Elliot drawls at me.
I bite my lip, stifling a laugh.
Josh appears with approximately a dozen cans of cider piled up in his arms. ‘Good morning, angels,’ he says, his voice husky and cracked.
Hennie and I fill him in on the news.
‘This is a lot for ten in the morning,’ Josh says, dazed. It is now that I realise he is almost certainly very hungover.
Nonetheless, he’s on board.
‘Obviously we have to do it,’ he says, as if it’s already been decided. ‘You guys love this band more than anything. And you’ll need us, of course. I know this placeinside-out; it’s an assured win,’ Josh’s eyes are alight at the prospect of the challenge.
‘And the four tickets would go to Nora and Hennie, and then you and your brother, right?’ Owen says, nodding at Elliot.
‘Are you sure you wouldn’t want to go?’ I ask, my heart sinking. They really hadn’t hesitated for a second. ‘It might take up a lot of your time. I just wouldn’t want you to sign up for something and regret it.’
