Page 13 of Yearning Difficulties

‘Don’t be intimidated,’ Killian said, sensing my misgivings. ‘She’ll respect you a lot more as a friend of mine at dinner than if you approach her at school. Loads of people make that mistake.’

I resisted the urge to needle him about how well-off his family clearly were, especially when he gave Dave such grief about the very same thing.

‘Okay,’ I said. ‘Thank you, Killian. I can’t tell you what this means, honestly.’

‘Well, you’re going to make it up to me in Medieval Faire rehearsals,’ he said, giving a hollow laugh.

‘Don’t I know it,’ I said, forcing myself to sound bubbly. ‘I don’t think I’m as dainty as Jasper Montgomery. I might be the first Lake Pristine princess to fall off her knight’s horse into the dirt! I’m not really royal material.’

Killian shook his head and smiled wryly. ‘You can be royally haughty when you want.’

I ignored that thinly veiled jab. ‘What time do your family eat dinner? Will I have time to shower after rehearsals?’

‘Yes. Dinner is always at seven and rehearsals wrap at six. Your dad was very firm about that.’

‘Amazing.’

I drank up the last of the milkshake and fished in my purse for some notes. ‘This is on me. Because you’re doing me such a favour.’

I slipped out of the booth. ‘Clean that cut up when you get home, okay?’

He smiled wryly and rubbed his sternum. ‘I’ll try.’

On Friday, I set off to rehearsals with a spring in my step. The morning had started with silver clouds but they’d cleared now, leaving Lake Pristine in warm October sunlight. I crossed Main Street and walked by the bandstand, which was completely surrounded by oversized pumpkins. I made my way to the focal part of town, where wooden scaffolding had been erected and sawdust scattered all across the ground. The jousting tournament would soon be open to the public, and lots of vendors had arrived to set up their stalls and food trucks, while volunteers manned the grog booth and information desk.

The Lake Pristine Medieval Faire was almost ready to open.

I found Dad speaking to some of the volunteers.

‘Ah, Zella’s here!’ he cried. ‘Sweets, they’ve got your costume.’

A dress made of teal velvet.

I sighed but changed into it quickly and pulled my long red hair down from its messy bun. I went to join the others in the jousting arena and spotted Killian and Anderson getting into their costumes, smiling at how exhausted they looked. Donning armour – even just costume chainmail – was clearly far more taxing than most people knew.

During the health and safety briefing, I learned that the knights had already been through some basic stage combat.

‘Shall we practise the princess track?’ asked a stern woman called Marcia.

‘Sure!’ Dave said, and when I realized they were waiting for my response as well, I nodded.

‘All right. Over on this platform then, your royal highness,’ Marcia demanded.

I obeyed, standing on my small raised podium, and then watching as two horses were brought out by Old Man Majors. One of them was indeed Thunder, the angry old Shire.

‘You won’t have to worry about either of these two picking up too much speed,’ said the stablemaster.

Killian winced as he and Thunder stared each other down. ‘It’s not his speed I’m worried about; it’s his bad nature and foul temper. Nasty little look in his eye.’

‘Don’t you start,’ Old Man Majors snapped. ‘You’re the one with the temper. Thunder’s an angel.’

The horse snorted, eyeing Killian with disdain.

‘Mount up!’ barked Marcia.

Killian pulled a face and then caught me looking at him. I raised an eyebrow, silently pointing out that he seemed jittery. He lifted his chin, giving me a smug smirk that assured me he was fine. He swung up onto Thunder’s back with a surprising amount of ease.

‘Helmets on!’ Marcia said next.