by Oli White
‘It’s been the best Total Youth stage I’ve ever seen,’ Olympia said. ‘What I like most about you guys is that you’re cool, but you’re accessible, too. That’s why we think you might be perfect for our next project. Back to you, Ethan.’
I was intrigued and alarmed all at once. Where the hell was all this leading?
‘So, Owl TV is making a big new show called Emerge in partnership with Channel 4, and Olympia is exec-producing,’ Ethan said.
‘That’s seriously amazing, Limpy,’ Suki said, and Olympia smiled and patted Suki’s knee. I saw Ava’s eyes widen.
‘The show is all about fresh new artists,’ Ethan went on. ‘It’ll be a cross between a documentary and a competition. We’ll follow five chosen acts over five episodes, really getting into the nitty-gritty of their lives, looking at how they’re working towards achieving their dreams and how tough it can be breaking into the music business.’
‘Sounds very solid,’ AJ said.
‘It is,’ Ethan agreed. ‘The sixth and final episode will be a massive live show – prime time – where viewers vote for their favourite act. The ultimate winner will be featured in a full televised live showcase gig, all promoted, paid for and filmed by Owl TV, plus they’ll get a deal with Island Records, who are helping sponsor the show.’
‘It sounds bloody awesome,’ Ella said, with everybody nodding enthusiastically.
I had to know where this was going. ‘So what did you mean when you said we’d be perfect?’ I asked, looking from Ethan to Olympia.
‘We mean perfect for hosting the show,’ Ethan said, like it was nothing.
‘Are you kidding?’ Sai said. Actually, it was more of a squeal.
‘We really need to get the tone right with this show,’ Olympia cut in, her manner suddenly more businesslike. ‘This is not The X Factor; we want to do something more edgy. I need a great team to help me shape it, and that means all of you. Plus, as Ethan says, I need hosts.’
‘What, us? Me and Ella?’ I said.
‘Well, if we have to take you to get Ella, we will,’ Ethan said, deadpan.
‘That’s so exciting, Ethan,’ Ella said. She was beaming – I could tell that the prospect of ‘real TV’ had totally wowed her.
Ava, meanwhile, looked stunned more than anything. ‘This sounds …’ She looked at Olympia, who still had her hand resting on Suki’s knee, and frowned. ‘I mean, this is a bit of a bolt from the blue, isn’t it?’
‘But an amazing one, right?’ Suki said. ‘I think you guys working with Owl would be such a perfect match, especially with Olympia at the helm. What do you think, AJ?’
‘I think I need to sit down with Ms Shaw and talk logistics,’ AJ said, his manager’s brain clearly whirring away. ‘But it sounds like it could be fantastic.’
‘We’re just ironing out the finer details with Channel 4, but it’s likely to kick off pretty soon – filming in London – if you guys come on board,’ Ethan said. ‘We’ve already found the potential acts, but we’ve been looking for the right hosts for ages – and after working with you guys at Total, well. You’re perfect.’
Sai looked at Austin and then Lily. ‘What do you guys think?’
‘I think it’s wonderful for you all,’ Lily said, squeezing his hand.
‘And it’s a big yes from me,’ Austin said, grinning.
The next few minutes were a blur of excited jabbering, with everyone asking questions and talking over each other. Meanwhile I was feeling massively conflicted. Of course I could see how incredible this was: GenNext partnering not only with Owl TV but with Channel 4. Bloody hell! Still, as fantastic as it sounded, I just had this horrible sinking feeling. I mean, working with Ethan back in the UK? Sure, Olympia seemed cool enough, but I wouldn’t have trusted Ethan as far as I could throw him. Plus, it all seemed very well thought out and orchestrated on his part; not at all like a spur-of-the-moment idea he’d formed over the last three days.
Olympia broke in over the excited chatter. ‘As I said, there’s lots for AJ and me to discuss, but I’m really excited about Ethan’s idea, and after what I saw on the Total Youth stage, you three would make such a strong presenting team – so quirky!’
‘Three?’ I said.
‘Well, Ethan would mostly be heading up the day-to-day production of the show, but there’s so much to cover, it’d be criminal not to give him some screen time too, after his success here.’ She looked over at Ethan and raised a perfectly plucked eyebrow. ‘From what I can gather, he’s a bit of an internet heart-throb all of a sudden, God help us.’
‘I am not,’ he laughed. ‘The only reason people even noticed me at all is because I was standing next to Ella.’
Ella blushed. ‘Flatterer!’
Meanwhile I was ready to throw up my champagne.
So this was it: our chance to take GenNext to another level. But it was all hinging on an association with someone I disliked intensely. I looked around at my friends, all smiling and toasting each other, clearly thrilled with this new idea, and I knew that this wasn’t the right time to air my doubts. Total had been incredible, and I wasn’t about to burst the bubble.
Excusing myself by saying I was going to the loo, I got up and left the group, heading over towards one of the bars. The sweetness of the champagne was making me feel a little queasy, and right at that moment I wanted a glass of water and some time out to think over the events of the evening. I’d been at the bar for a few minutes when I felt a tap on my shoulder.
‘Jack, there you are. I’m off, heading back to my yurt.’ It was Olympia, her brown curls bouncing around her face. Her curls and freckles made her look younger than Suki, more like our age, but there was this air of authority and experience about her. It was easy to see how she’d got to where she was at such a young age. ‘I think this partnership could be so good for both Owl and GenNext, you know. I’m having breakfast with AJ in the morning to discuss all the details.’
‘Yeah, it’s … it’s really …’
‘It was all Ethan’s idea,’ she said. ‘He adores you guys. Especially you, Jack.’
‘Yeah, about Ethan—’
‘Mind you, you’ll have to keep an eye on him,’ she cut in.
‘Why? What do you mean?’ I wondered if she was about to confirm my suspicions that there was something a bit peculiar about this guy.
‘Oh, he’s just such a perfectionist,’ she laughed. ‘And he’s very determined too, which is mostly a great thing, but sometimes he goes too far. Did he tell you he fell out of a tree the other morning? He was totally adamant that he’d get a shot of the sunrise over the festival for us because the regular cameraman couldn’t get up there.’ She laughed and shook her head.
‘No, he didn’t,’ I said, confused.
‘Oh yeah! Gave himself a black eye into the bargain. Just lucky he didn’t break the camera and a few bones.’
‘No, he didn’t mention that at all,’ I said.
After saying goodnight to Olympia, I drifted back towards the gang, the party now in full swing around me. So Ethan had fallen out of a tree and given himself a black eye. Why did he lie and say that I’d given it to him? To make me look bad?
I had no idea what was going on with this dude, but I knew I had to be careful around him. With a seemingly perfect new opportunity on the table for GenNext, it wasn’t exactly going to be a piece of cake persuading the others that as long as Ethan was involved, we should proceed with the utmost caution.
THE RETURN
The clouds above Heathrow hung heavy on the Tuesday morning we touched down, and the look on everyone’s face said it all. Back. To. Reality. I’d slept for a few hours on the flight, so as we trailed through the arrivals hall towards the luggage carousel, I was feeling reasonably bright, not to mention happy because I hadn’t clapped eyes on Ethan for the last fifteen hours. We’d left him behind in California – at least for the time being.
There was a hold-up with the luggage so we had to wait ages at the baggage carousel, whic
h didn’t help anyone’s mood.
‘Don’t look so glum, guys,’ AJ said, looking around at all of us.
‘You say that, AJ, but it’s pretty grim coming back here after all that,’ Austin said. ‘I need time to adjust.’ I also suspected that he was feeling more than a little nervous about having to face the music with Jess.
AJ laughed. ‘You won’t have time to be bloody miserable, Austin. You’ve got post-festival vlogs to work on, and once the contracts are sorted, we’re straight back into this new project.’
Yes, it was official: AJ and Olympia Shaw had had their business breakfast, and the GenNext/Owl TV partnership was going ahead just as soon as all the contractual stuff had been agreed. The others were over the moon about it, and couldn’t stop gushing about how wonderful Olympia and Ethan both were, while I was still trying to get my head round the pros and cons of having such an amazing opportunity at the cost of spending more time with someone whose intentions I couldn’t for the life of me work out.
Suki grabbed her suitcase first; she was going back to her flat in London, rather than to Hertfordshire like the rest of us. ‘I’m going to get the Heathrow Express and then jump in a cab from Paddington. Thank you, guys; it’s been amazing! You did such an incredible job; you should be really proud.’
‘Thank you for everything, Suki,’ I said.
We each gave her a massive hug. When it came to Ava’s turn, she seemed a little hesitant.
‘When will I be seeing you again?’ she asked apprehensively.
‘Hopefully soon, Aves. You’ll have to let me know if you need my expertise for your new venture,’ Suki said.
‘Are you kidding?’ Ava said. ‘If it weren’t for you, it probably wouldn’t even be happening. You’re our good-luck charm!’
Suki smiled and blushed slightly. ‘That’s really nice to hear, Ava. Thanks.’
They hugged, somewhat awkwardly it must be said, and once Suki had left, all eyes were on Ava, who was clearly a bit choked up.
‘You need to sort this out, Ava,’ I said, dragging my own backpack off the carousel. ‘It’s so obvious you two should be together – what’s the matter with you both?’
‘I know it doesn’t happen often, but Jack’s right, babe,’ Ella said.
‘I know, I know.’ Ava ran her hands through her hair. ‘It’s just that every time I think it’s the right time to … I don’t know … say or do something, there’s always something stopping me. I mean, I was all ready to broach the subject at the after-party and bloody Olympia turned up with her fabulous job and her cute freckles and … That’s the way it always is with Suki and me. You know what I’m saying, Jack, right?’
I nodded. ‘I know, but just because they were mates at uni, it doesn’t mean there was anything between them. You should talk to her.’
‘Yes, oh wise one,’ Ava smiled. ‘I promise I will.’
As we headed out of the baggage reclaim towards the exit, I turned my attention to Austin. ‘And while I’m doing my best agony-aunt impersonation, how are you feeling about seeing Jess now you’re back?’
‘He’s anxious,’ Sai shouted from behind us, hand in hand with Lily.
‘I can speak for myself, thank you, Sai,’ Austin said. ‘I’m anxious. The last time we FaceTimed she said I was being distant and evasive.’
‘So normal, then,’ Sai said.
‘The thing is, I haven’t missed her at all, J,’ Austin said, looking down at the floor. ‘What am I supposed to do with that realisation?’
‘I don’t know, mate, I really don’t. But remember what I said. Whatever happens, I’m always around if you need someone to bitch and moan to.’
‘You’re top of my list for bitching and moaning,’ he laughed.
In the people carrier on the way back to Hertfordshire, AJ dozed off in the front while the rest of us scrolled through our phones, catching up on anything that might have happened in the world while we were in the air. It was funny really; away from of the atmosphere of Total and back on my own turf, so to speak, the unease I’d felt the day before seemed to have evaporated. I mean, what exactly was I worried about anyway? We’d smashed the festival gig, then been offered the chance of a lifetime immediately afterwards. But there I was focusing my thoughts on Ethan. It seemed a bit daft in the cold light of day.
‘Oh my God, have you seen this?’ Ella said, holding out her phone. ‘Really? Is this all people have got to write about?’ She shoved the phone close to my face and a photograph loomed towards me. It was of Harriet kissing me on stage at the end of her show.
Brilliant. Ella had seen Harriet grab me on the last night and peck me on the lips. It wasn’t a big deal – Harriet was a very physical person – but I didn’t exactly want it splashed all over the media.
‘What site is that?’ I asked.
‘The Mail Online, of all things’ Ella said. ‘The headline is: “Harriet Rushworth gets over cheating ex with sexy young internet star Jack Penman at Total Festival”.’
There was laughter from the others, but Ella didn’t crack a smile.
‘There’s more on BuzzFeed,’ Austin said, leaning over from behind us and reading from his phone. ‘“While gorgeous Ella Foster was cosying up to new presenting partner Ethan Harper, her boyfriend Jack Penman was getting busy with superstar Harriet Rushworth. Is Jack doing the dirty on Ella?” Same picture, and there’s one of Ella holding hands with Ethan on stage.’
‘Twitter’s rife with it,’ Ava said, looking up from her own phone. ‘All speculating on whether you two are still on, or seeking pastures new.’
I swallowed hard. Just the mere mention of Ella and Ethan in the same sentence made me feel a little bit sick.
‘Pastures new! Oh for God’s sake,’ I said.
‘Look, I know it’s crap and you probably didn’t invite Harriet to kiss you,’ Ella said. ‘It’s just not very nice to see it all over the internet.’
‘Probably didn’t invite her to kiss me?’ I said. ‘Of course I didn’t invite her – as if! Come on Ella, you know I didn’t. She just got carried away – it was a split-second peck on the mouth.’
Ella’s eyes narrowed. ‘Yes, a quick peck on the mouth that the media has turned into a massive scandal. Brilliant.’
Of course we both knew it was all crap, didn’t we? One of those stupid rumours that would be forgotten in two days. Still, Ella was quiet for the rest of the journey, and when she got out of the car at her place, her goodbye kiss on the cheek was fleeting and cold.
I was the final drop-off, and the sight of home stirred up a few mixed feelings. Sure, I was glad to be back, but it had been days since I’d thought about Dad’s odd behaviour or the tension between him and Mum before I left for California. I’d had to push it to the back of my mind so I could concentrate on the festival. Now that I was walking up the front path towards our house, it was something I was going to have to face again. What had been going on? Was it still going on? I opened the front door and dropped my massive suitcase in the hall. As soon as I shut the door behind me, Mum poked her head out of the living room.
‘Jack, you’re home!’
She seemed happy to see me, and hugged me so tight that my ribs hurt all over again.
‘Hey, Jack!’ Dad was right behind her.
I was a little surprised to see him, given that it was the middle of a weekday. ‘Dad, hi! Day off?’
‘Sort of,’ he said, looking a bit awkward.
‘Your dad just wanted to be here when you got home,’ Mum added.
‘Right,’ I said, slightly confused. Dad never came home in the middle of the day; it was all a bit suspect. Still, so far there was no sign of the tension that had been there between them before I left – so that was a good thing.
‘Come on, I’ll make you a coffee,’ Mum said. ‘I’ve been watching the festival online and you did so well, love. I want to hear everything.’
‘There’s loads to tell,’ I said, following her and Dad into the kitchen. ‘We got some pretty exci
ting news at the end of the festival. You’re going to freak out when I tell you!’
I clocked a nervous glance flash between them as I sat down at the breakfast bar.
‘Come on then,’ Dad said. ‘Let’s have it.’
They both seemed to be with me all the way for about the first ten minutes of me regaling them with my desert adventures, but as I went on, it was impossible not to notice a look of distraction on both their faces. They kept looking at one other as if they were waiting for me to finish because they had something to say. Mum was chewing her lip, which was always a sign that she was nervous. In the end, I stopped mid-sentence, unable to carry on jabbering about all the fun I’d had when there was obviously something else going on. Time to call them out on all this weirdness.
‘Look,’ I said, ‘it’s clear that you two are on another planet. What’s going on?’
Both of them looked distinctly awkward. Dad opened his mouth and closed it again, evidently unsure how to broach whatever it was that they needed to tell me.
‘Right, love,’ Mum said eventually. ‘This is going to come as a bit of a bolt from the blue …’
My stomach turned over.
‘You might have noticed that things were a bit odd before you left for America,’ Dad said.
‘You think?’ I laughed nervously.
‘I’d had some news that was … unexpected,’ Dad went on. ‘That’s probably the best way to describe it. And your mum and I didn’t really want to lay it all out in front of you until we’d discussed it together. It’s a big thing, son.’
‘It was a real shock at first – for both of us – and that’s probably why you noticed a bit of tension between me and your dad.’ Mum said this with a smile, making it clear that whatever tension there had been had now vanished. ‘We’ve talked and talked about this, though, and everything’s fine between us now. We’re just not sure how you’re going to feel about the news, that’s all.’
‘What news?’ Whatever they were about to tell me, it was clearly something major. I noticed that Dad’s hands were shaking slightly and that Mum put her hand over his.