‘Wait, what is this?’
I cut him off as I took in what the door had opened out to. What had once been a very small concrete courtyard, was now a mini garden. There was climbing ivy across the walls, and flower boxes lining the paving.
‘I did some gardening last year,’ Cal answered, coming to stand next to me and lean on the door frame. My phone vibrated again with another missed call from Skylar, and a message flashed up when I checked the screen.
WHERE ARE YOU? Did you make it? We’re going to be late if you don’t get your butt here soon!
I was about to put it back in my pocket when another message came through.
P.S. Hope your mom didn’t catch you???
‘Hold on.’ Cal peered over my shoulder. ‘“Mom”?’
‘Didn’t anyone ever tell you it was rude to read other people’s messages?’ I huffed, taking a step outside.
‘The only American you know is Skylar Chase.’ Cal stepped out after me. ‘Flick, this is a really bad idea. You’ll easily get caught if you’re going anywhere with her. She’s hardly subtle. It will be in theDaily Postthe minute you walk outside.’
‘So?’
‘So, your mum will kill you. Whatever stupid thing you’re doing, just leave it and go out next week.’
‘You are such a goody-goody.’
‘Fine,’ he said, his concerned expression disappearing as he stomped back inside. ‘Go ahead and be an idiot. I won’t try to stop you.’
‘Like you could,’ I sneered.
I opened the latch and peeked outside. A black car with tinted windows was waiting on the side of the road. The car horn beeped. I waved, and then turned back to Cal.
‘Leave the door propped open, will you? One of those heavy books will do,’ I said, before darting out without waiting for him to reply and jumping into the back of the car.
Skylar was sitting on the back seat wearing sunglasses and bright red lipstick. She leaned across to give me a hug.
‘You made it! Was it OK? Any problems?’
‘None whatsoever,’ I said smugly, whipping my sunglasses out my pocket and putting them on. ‘Let’s go.’
Cameras began flashing the moment our car drew up outside the venue. Skylar took a deep breath.
‘Keep your sunglasses on until we’re inside,’ she advised. ‘They do formal photographs once you’re through and we can take them off then. But for the walk to the door, trust me, you’ll want to be able to see where you’re going, without flashes in your face.’
I nodded and the driver opened the car door, presenting his hand to Skylar as she stepped out with her winning smile. I shuffled across the seat and followed suit, allowing the driver to help me out, attempting to be as elegant as possible. Skylar linked her arm through mine and, waving at the photographers, she led me towards the building. She was right about the blinding flashes but she hadn’t warned me about the noise. All the reporters were yelling over each other, desperate to catch our attention and lure us over for an interview: ‘Skylar, over here!’; ‘Skylar, who’s your friend?’; ‘Skylar, is it true that you’re appearing on a British reality TV show? Which one?’; ‘Ladies, look this way!’; ‘Skylar, how do you feel about your ex moving on?’; ‘Skylar, are you buying a London house?’; ‘Girls, whose after-party will you be attending?’; ‘Who are you wearing? Are you wearing Lewis Blume?’; ‘Skylar, is Lewis Blume your favourite designer?’
The reporters continued to take pictures and fire off questions until we were safely inside.
‘Whoa,’ I gushed, once the doors closed behind us. ‘What a rush! I couldn’t see a thing through all those flashes, though.’
‘I know, right? Sunglasses vital. Ah, there he is!’
Skylar took off her Wayfarers and held her arms out as Ethan Duke came strolling towards us. He was wearing a black leather jacket over a white T-shirt and the skinniest black jeans I’d ever seen.
‘You’ve arrived! And look who you’ve brought. No tables for you to hide under this time, Flick.’ He smiled, leaning in to give me a kiss on both cheeks. He was so sophisticated, you’d think he was way older than sixteen. Plus his aftershave smelled so good, it made my brain go fuzzy.
‘Yeah, sorry about that. I don’t normally do that kind of thing.’
‘Duck under a table and then run away as the starters arrive?’
‘Yep. That.’
