‘And what is that?’
‘No idea. It tastes pretty yummy to me. I may have to make another couple to get to the bottom of the mystery.’
‘You’re impossible, you know that? If Steve catches you you’ll be in the shit.’
‘Yeah, but he’s got to catch me first.’
At that moment, Jeff the sometimes-Santa-janitor came past, leaning on his broom as he shoved it idly along the stockroom floor. He’d have shifted more dust if he’d gently squeezed the breath from an asthmatic ant at it. He was also sucking at a slushy that looked remarkably similar to the one Midnight was drinking. He gave Midnight a conspiratorial wink as he went past.
‘What the hell…’ Phoebe cried as he went on his way.
‘I couldn’t leave Jeff out, could I? Granted, he does look way too happy about it. I’ve a feeling he’s given it a special kick with the contents of that bottle he keeps in his locker.’
‘Bloody hell! You’ll get shot if that comes out!’ Phoebe was beginning to have serious doubts about involving Midnight in her plans. Whilst her friend was creative and lively, she could also be unreliable and unpredictable and there was way too much at stake. On the other hand, this was exactly the sort of task Midnight needed, to distract her from her more subversive pursuits. Either way, Phoebe was committed now, and she needed Midnight’s knowledge and left-field thinking to make it work.
‘How are you fixed for helping me and Dixon out?’
‘With what?’
‘Some ideas for the new cosplay department.’
‘Cool! So they’re going for it? I never thought I’d see the day when old Hendry embraced the twenty-first century. He’ll be coming to work in a cap next and calling everyone dude.’
‘It’s only approved in principle and we have to make it look good enough for them to finance it… there’s not a lot to spare in the budget…’ Phoebe trailed off. How much could she tell Midnight about what she knew of Hendry’s financial problems? It was probably better to say as little as possible.
‘That much is obvious,’ Midnight said nonchalantly.
‘It is?’
‘Everyone’s talking about it. They say we’re going under.’
‘Where has that rumour come from?’
Midnight shrugged. ‘Where does any rumour come from? They’re rumours – nobody knows whether they’re true or not.’
‘Well, I haven’t heard it and I work upstairs in the offices.’
‘Yeah, you’d generally be the last to know.’
Phoebe reflected on the irony of that for a moment. Did everyone else really know what Dixon had told her in confidence? It was just like her to miss something that big going on right under her nose.
Midnight slurped at her drink. ‘Ok, so what do you need from me?’
Phoebe shook herself. ‘Your nerdy sci-fi brain.’
‘Most people want my body but hey, it’s your party. Want me to dress up again?’
‘More… much more. How about we and go find Steve and tell him your services are required upstairs? I’ll treat you to a working lunch; we might be a couple of hours, though.’
‘We can be as long as you want; it’s all the same to me.’
‘Brilliant! Finish that drink and destroy the evidence, please, you’re going to give me a heart attack!’
*
‘Don’t ask me to be your Batman.’ Jack clasped Phoebe’s hand as they watched Maria run ahead down the path. The park was buzzing with people enjoying the evening sun. There was a slight chill in the air but with her cardigan pulled tight and Jack by her side Phoebe felt cosy enough. The sun was slipping down the sky at the far side of the manmade lake that was the crowning glory of the park. Jack led Phoebe to a seat on the newly-built viewing platform that overlooked the water while Maria raced to the railings to look at a crowd of ducks that had gathered below with their fluffy ducklings.
‘Don’t lean over too far,’ Jack called.
‘Have you seen all these baby ducks?’ Maria squeaked.
‘We’ll come and look in a minute,’ Jack smiled.
Phoebe leaned over and kissed him. ‘I wouldn’t subject you to that humiliation. That’s what Midnight is best at.’
‘The inimitable Midnight… one of these days you’ll have to bring her over.’
‘I would, but I’m not sure you’d ever get over the trauma.’
‘So, you’re planning a street party? Is that what it is?’
‘Not a party exactly. It’s more of a launch event. But we don’t have enough security to keep track of everyone if we hold it in the store so we’re doing it outside on the street.’
‘Won’t they want to go in to buy the clothes?’
Phoebe nodded. ‘We’ve got that covered with a special stall we’re setting up outside where the fun is.’
‘Right…You’re going to dress up?’
Phoebe laughed. ‘Not if I can help it. We’ve got a load of cosplayers to help out and mingle with the crowds and we’re going to encourage as many guests as possible to come along in costume. The more people get into the spirit of things the more fun it will be and the bigger splash we’ll make.’
‘You really think people will go for this? Don’t these cosplay types only go along to conventions where they can meet celebrities?’
‘Midnight seems to think it will be ok. It’s not really a convention as such, anyway, more of a fancy dress party. If they’re all like Midnight they won’t be able to resist the opportunity to wander around town in costume, especially if the television cameras come as we’re hoping they will. I just hope the weather holds. And I thought we could give away some prizes and have special offers for extra encouragement, things that won’t be on offer afterwards. We’ll have food and drink too.’
‘Are you worried about what will happen if people don’t come?’
Phoebe shot him a sideways look and raised her eyebrows. ‘Proper little ray of sunshine today, aren’t you?’ Jack grinned. ‘Of course I’m terrified but I was trying not to think about how dead my career will be if I spend huge chunks of Hendry’s money on a complete flop.’
‘Sorry… it’s just that I know how stressed you get about things.’
‘Jack…’ Phoebe paused. There was no harm in sharing what she knew with Jack, was there? ‘Hendry’s is in trouble. I have to do what I can to save it. If that means taking some risks, well… I suppose I don’t have a choice.’
‘Hendry’s is in trouble? Like financial?’
Phoebe nodded.
‘Mum always said she wondered how they stayed open. But they’ve always been there and I can’t imagine Millrise without them.’ He wrapped an arm around her shoulder and pulled her close. ‘If you need any help with the internet or social media, I’m all yours.’
‘Thank you. I might just take you up on that. I don’t suppose you know anyone famous while you’re at it, do you?’
‘Sorry. Not unless you count the goalie for Millrise United.’
‘Maybe not. And you’re quite sure you don’t want to come along and dress up for me?’
He pulled her closer. ‘I can dress up for you but it would have to be in the privacy of a locked bedroom.’ Phoebe giggled. ‘I bet Maria would love a huge dressing up party, though. I assume it’s going to be family friendly?’
‘Definitely. I’ll probably have to have a word with Midnight about covering up her cleavage…’
Jack chuckled as Maria came racing over.
‘Come and see the ducks now!’ She grabbed Jack’s hand and tugged at him to get up from his seat.
‘Alright, alright… I’m coming.’
‘You too, Phoebe!’ Maria squeaked. ‘Come and see.’
‘Ok, Miss Bossy. I don’t know how you still have so much energy after a full day at school.’
‘I’m not tired at all.’
‘I can see that.’
Jack and Phoebe followed Maria to the railings, and all three gazed across the sun-dappled water as the little duck f
amilies that had got Maria so excited traversed the lake leaving gleaming trails in their wake.
‘So you’re coming then?’ Phoebe asked Jack as they peered over.
‘Where?’
‘To the launch, silly!’
‘Oh, yeah,’ Jack laughed. ‘Of course. I’d be crazy to miss a night like that, especially if my clever girlfriend is organising it.’
‘You’ll have VIP tickets, of course.’
He lowered his voice and leaned into her. ‘Does that mean I get to kiss and fondle the organiser?’
‘I don’t think Dixon is into blokes.’
Jack erupted into laughter and planted a kiss on Phoebe’s lips.
‘That one’s lost!’ Maria cried, cutting short their banter.
Jack looked over. ‘I don’t think so, spud. See… there he goes after his mummy.’
‘Are Granny and Granddad coming over? I heard you on the phone.’
‘Not tonight. But maybe for dinner at the weekend,’ Jack glanced at Phoebe as he spoke. He hesitated, seeming to weigh up the outcome of his next sentence. Or maybe Phoebe was imagining the reticence in his voice when he did finally speak again. ‘Maybe you’d like to join us? Unless you have plans at the weekend… seeing your own parents or something… which I would totally understand…’
‘No…’ Now that the moment had presented itself she suddenly wasn’t sure she wanted it after all. His parents obviously had a great deal of influence on Jack’s life and their opinions could make or break his and Phoebe’s relationship. Jack had already said how devoted his mother was to Rebecca. How could Phoebe live up to such irredeemable perfection? Rebecca could never again lose her temper, utter an ill-advised word, accidentally snub, irritate or incite anger. The longer she was gone the more saintly her memory became. It was crazy to be this jealous of a dead woman but Phoebe was finding it very hard not to be. She felt she was insulting Rebecca’s memory simply by existing. And she knew the feelings Jack’s mother had were only natural. Phoebe was fiercely protective of her memories of Vik in much the same way.
All these thoughts ran through her head in a matter of seconds. But another, overriding thought took their place. If she was to have any future with Jack they had to get this hurdle out of the way. Whether they did it sooner or later would make no difference. She forced a bright smile.
‘Sounds great. I’d love to come.’
He leaned across and kissed her. ‘They’ll love you, I know they will.’
Phoebe could see the lie in his beautiful eyes. He was less certain than she was of the outcome but she had to be grateful for the encouragement all the same.
*
The dress joined the others on the bed – a rapidly growing pile. Phoebe glanced at the clock again. She had allowed herself an hour to get ready but had already wasted half that precious time trying to decide what to wear. Every time she thought she was happy, she scrutinised her look in the mirror and decided that her choice of outfit was dreadful after all.
In only her most demure bra and knickers (somehow, having even slightly sexy undies on felt wrong, as though Jack’s parents would know) Phoebe stood at the open wardrobe doors and worked down the rail one more time. Her style was nowhere near as wild as Midnight’s, but conventional was not exactly her thing. Most of the dresses she owned were a little on the short side, not that she owned many, and the ones that did look halfway respectable made her feel frumpy and not herself at all. She couldn’t remember why she had bought them but assumed it would have been for a family christening or birthday bash to escape the disapproving stares of her mother. Work suits were pretty much the only other option, and there was no way she was rocking up to Jack’s house in a pinstripe skirt that had already had its backside worn smooth by hours spent on an office chair, visiting parents or not.
She quickly checked the clock again. The shopping centre would be keeping Sunday opening hours. Was it a crazy idea to go and buy something on the way to Jack’s? She could get a taxi, dash into Next and pick up a dress, couldn’t she?
Without another thought, she dialled the number of her favourite taxi firm and ordered a cab. Then she pulled on her jeans, pinned her hair into a topknot and rushed outside just as the taxi arrived.
*
‘Wow!’ Jack gave a low wolf-whistle at the door. ‘You look amazing.’
Phoebe was far from happy with her choice of strapless floral maxi dress and coordinating shrug, but in the circumstances felt she had made the best of a rush job. At least she looked respectable enough for Jack’s parents (as long as the dress stayed up and didn’t reveal she’d had to ditch her bra) and still pretty and flirty enough for Jack. His approval made her feel a little easier – at least that was one hurdle out of the way. Never again, though, would she cut a situation like this so fine; she had arrived in a second hastily-procured taxi (another small fortune) with literally moments to spare.
She handed Jack a carrier bag containing her jeans, top, and abandoned bra. ‘Can you stash this somewhere for me?’
He peered inside and looked up at her with a silent question.
‘Long story,’ she replied, tucking a stray hair back into a bobby pin. ‘Are they here?’ she added in a whisper.
Jack stuffed the bag in the under-stairs cupboard – the ‘glory hole’ as her mother called it. ‘They’re in the garden with Maria,’ he said. ‘I thought we might do chicken and salad outside as it’s such a lovely day, rather than a stuffy old roast dinner inside.’
‘Is Archie here too?’ Phoebe asked, wondering whether he might be at least one ally in the extended Andrews camp, even if a rather flighty one.
Jack shook his head. ‘Archie doesn’t do civilised family get-togethers. It’s just Mum and Dad.’
‘Ok… I didn’t know whether I ought to bring something… I mean, I don’t know what your mum likes and –’
Jack held up a hand to stop her. ‘No need; it’s not expected.’ He took her by the shoulders and smiled down at her. ‘Try not to be nervous. Just be your wonderful self and everything will be fine.’ He kissed her tenderly on the forehead. ‘Shall we go through and get the introductions out of the way before you explode?’
‘Yes please. Exploding wouldn’t make a very good first impression, would it?’
‘Come on then,’ Jack laughed.
Phoebe followed him through to the kitchen. The smell of roast chicken and delicate seasonings intensified as they went in. Normally, she would have been asking him questions about what he was cooking and trying to stop her stomach rumbling. It was the one talent of Jack’s that everyone she knew, especially Midnight, was insanely jealous of. Midnight should have been a queen with hundreds of male slaves feeding her dates and wafting her with huge feathers all day, and acting out all her sexual fantasies at night. And she definitely should have had her own private chef, at least, according to her.
But Jack’s food was the last thing on Phoebe’s mind today. Her stomach flipped like a circus trapeze artist on his tenth tube of Smarties as she walked through the kitchen and towards the back door. She longed for this awkward first meeting to be over so they could all get used to one another and move to a place where, if not comfortable or particularly fond, they were at least familiar with each other.
‘Ready?’ Jack rested his hand on the doorknob.
‘What would happen if I said no?’
‘I’d shove you out there anyway,’ Jack said with a smile. ‘It’ll be fine.’ He opened the door that led out onto a slate-paved patio where there was a wooden table surrounded by chairs. The table was already laid with bright striped crockery; a wine cooler, trays of stuffed olives, artichokes, dips and breadsticks sat in the centre where they were being steadfastly ignored by the two people seated around it. Instead they were watching Maria race around the garden on a manically grinning orange space-hopper. Jack cleared his throat and they turned as one.
‘Mum… Dad… this is Phoebe.’
Phoebe forced a smile. ‘Hi…’
&n
bsp; There was an immediate and swift appraisal from Jack’s mother as her gaze swept Phoebe up and down. There was no mistaking the iciness of the look, or the fact that Phoebe knew from that moment she was in for a trying afternoon. She took a moment of her own to assess them both – albeit in a rather less obvious and aggressive way.
Jack’s dad shared the same gentle look as his son in the same bright blue eyes, same black hair (though his dad’s was thinning now), same warm smile. He looked thinner than Jack, less toned, and from his posture Phoebe guessed that he was a little shorter than his son too.
His mum had the same face shape – slightly broader and more amiable looking, although the look in her eyes was far from friendly. There was no arguing, however, that in her prime she would have been a fiercely beautiful woman. She was still attractive now – impeccably presented, her shoulder length hair straight and sleek, tinted a rich auburn, her blouse neatly buttoned into wide legged trousers that hugged her trim waist, barely a crease in them considering she was sitting relaxed in a garden chair. Phoebe wondered if she had treated them with industrial grade starch; her own dress was wilting even now and she had taken it from the shop barely half an hour earlier.
‘Chicken’s almost ready.’ Jack clapped his hands together. ‘So why don’t you get to know each other while I go and sort it out?’
‘D’you want some help?’ Phoebe asked, hoping desperately that he would say yes.
‘It’s fine,’ he said with a cheerful smile. ‘I won’t be long.’
As she watched him go back inside, there was a squeal from across the garden.
‘Phoebe!’ Maria raced over and threw her arms around Phoebe’s waist.
‘Hey, gorgeous! Having a good day?’ Phoebe hugged her back, relieved to have an ally.
She gave an enthusiastic nod. ‘I’ve been helping Daddy.’
‘Well, that’s good. I bet he was really glad you were here.’
‘I put the plates on the table.’
Phoebe gave her a thumbs-up. ‘You did a great job of that. What were you just playing?’
‘Invisible horses.’
Mishaps in Millrise: Parts 1-4 in one book – plus a little extra… Page 13