“So, you’re getting in the coffin, right?” I ask Roxy.
“You’re hilarious,” Roxy says.
“Well, I can’t ask Dorothy, can I? Not with her hip.” Dorothy is a few rows behind us. Snoring. She’s sitting next to Fake McKinley, who waves. “Although . . .”
Roxy looks over her shoulder then pulls me back round.
“You arenotscooping up a sleeping Dorothy and sticking her in a coffin,” she says, jabbing me with a finger.
“Fine,” I say, rolling my eyes.
“Maybe Fake McKinley’ll do it for you?” says Roxy.
“You think?” I say. Dorothy has slumped over so she’s restingon his arm. “I’m not sure he’d even fit.”
Charlie Chamberlain waves Sadie over. She jumps up and turns to us.
“Will you be at the party tonight?” she asks.
“Yes,” says Roxy. “Are you dressing up?”
Sadie nods, her eyes sparkling.
“We’re coming as Beryl and Livius, you know, the psychic brother and sister from season four?”
It’s gorgeous seeing a new fan fall in love with the show. My heart swells in delight for everything she has to come. The merch, the spoilers, the Thursday nights when a new episode drops on Netflix. It’s all part of a fan’s journey.
“Yeah, we know who you mean,” I say.
“Is this your favourite theme of the weekend, Sadie?” asks Roxy.
Sadie shakes her head.
“My favourite is the karaoke party. I mean, I think it will be.”
“Really?” I say. “Isn’t it Ghosts and Gargoyles?”
“Yeah, but not because of the dress-up, I mean because of the singing. Charlie told me how much fun it is.”
I nod. He came to the convention on a day pass one year. Mum waited patiently for all of us to have a go on the karaoke before driving us home. When I say all of us, I mean Charlie and Roxy because I could never sing in front of real people. Drums, yes. Swordplay, yes. But singing out loud while a bunch of people stare and judge my horrendous voice. No thank you.
“He’s right, Sadie. It is good fun,” says Roxy.
“I can’t wait,” she says, her eyes wide. “Then I’ll be a real fan.”
“You are a real fan, Sadie,” I say.
“Not until I’ve completed my first convention,” she says, her face serious and hopeful.
Roxy and I look at each other, and I’m glad to see she also has a little tear for Sadie’s burgeoning obsession.
“OK, I better get back.” She throws her arms around me and squeezes hard. “Good luck, Eliza. I know I’m on Vivian’s team, but I secretly want you to win really. Don’t tell.”
I nod as she turns and runs off, unable to confirm that I won’t tell because I will definitely cry if I try to speak.
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
JULIANA THE DEMON HUNTRESS
