I’m even starting to become more accustomed to the stares from passers-by now. For a second I wonder what they’re staring at until I remember the drumstick swinging at our sides.
We stand at the entrance, studying the cosy interior of Mirrorball with hesitation.
‘Good question,’ I say, pulling my phone out of my pocket to re-read the prompt.
All the numbers will be reversed.
Elliot’s head hovers close to mine to read it. ‘He’ll give his answer before eleven… At least we have a bit of time, it’s still ten forty-five.’
I turn to Elliot. ‘Okay, so. “Ask what you will”… that’s a lyric from the song “2005”, so I’m guessing it must be a code. If we reverse it, that gives us “5002”. That might be something?’
Elliot’s eyebrows shoot up. ‘Fast work, princess.’
I can’t suppress my satisfied smile in response. My inner competitive goblin seems to be coming out in full force.
A small group of girls, all adorned with crowns and tiaras on their heads, make their way inside. One of them eyes me with mistrust, her gaze pointing at my own tiara.
‘It seems like word has spread,’ Elliot murmurs.
‘We should probably get searching,’ I say nervously.
‘So we’re looking for what – a guy? Who do we give the code to?’ His eyes calmly scan the tent.
I shrug. ‘Let’s see what we find in there that might give us an idea.’
Alarmingly, there are a couple of small groups looking just as out of place as us. A few people are scoping out the area, looking under cushions and tables whilst others are having quiet discussions hunched together.
Elliot comes to an abrupt stop, forcing me to a halt.
‘Hey, our barman is here,’ he notes.
My head whips to the bar and, indeed, he is. But he doesn’t seem at all perturbed by the sudden appearance of numerous lost fans gathered here. He continues to type on his phone, relaxing back against the counter behind the bar.
‘We’ve got fifteen minutes till eleven. No harm in telling him the code to see if he’s the right guy, right?’ Elliot asks, leaning close to me so as not to advertise his thoughts too loudly.
‘Could it be that easy?’ I whisper, a little distracted by his proximity.
‘Why not? Let’s try,’ he replies, walking confidently to the bar and pulling me behind him.
The barman’s head flicks up, his brows lifting in surprise as he takes us in.
‘My little drumsticks,’ he says, opening his arms wide in a welcoming gesture.
‘Hi!’ I reply brightly. I have to restrain myself from screaming the suspected code without warning into his face.
‘You haven’t declared a winner for that yet, I see,’ he remarks, his eyes landing on the drumstick we still share.
‘Nope, not just yet,’ Elliot says dryly.
‘We were actually hoping that you might be able to help us with something,’ I cut in desperately.
He entwines his fingers together and rests them on the bar in front of us. ‘Ask away.’
‘We have a… code. I don’t know if you’re the right person to say this to, but… does 5002 mean anything to you?’ I lean forward on the bar, my fingers nervously tapping the surface.
His eyes flick between Elliot and I before reaching into his pocket. My heart pounds as he passes a slim strip of paper over the bar. I grab it and cradle it against my chest like it’s my lifeline.
‘Thank you!’ I whisper gratefully. He nods as he crosses his arms again.
