We were only a week out from the fantasy festival, and the conversation fully revolved around that.Fatimaleaned over to talk me through the accommodation arrangements;I’dbeen hesitant to stay with the others, especially given the tightnessIfelt in my chest every timeChloestayed the night at the farm, but it was better knowingI’dbe sharing a twin room withFatimarather than being forced into some only-one-bed nonsense withChloe.Plus, the house was just a short walk from the festival entrance versus the half hour’s driveIwould have had to make each morning and evening from the closest hotelIcould afford.I’dhad to bookGwenynen’sspot at the festival nearly a year in advance, and the competition had been fierce, so by the timeIknew for sure we’d been selected, all the nearby accommodation was spoken for.
Morgan asked a question about a group costume, butChloeshushed her as if it were some big secret.
“What?”Iasked. “AmInot allowed to know what you’re wearing?”
She shrugged. “Isn’tit more fun to be surprised?”
There was a pinch in my gut at the realisation that they were all dressing up together andIwasn’t included, but that wasn’t fair;Iwouldn’t even be at the festival with them, really.I’dbe at the stall selling mead, as wouldChloe.Exceptfor theFridaynight, that was, when we’d be let in to set up, but our area wouldn’t be open to attendees yet.
“Okay, well, what aboutPirateNighton theFriday?”Morganasked, as if reading my mind. “Dowe all have costumes for that?”
“I’m sureIcan pull something wenchy together,”Chloesaid, shimmying and pushing her boobs up suggestively.Ivery intentionally didnotlook too closely.
“I bet you can,”Fatimasaid, then turned to me. “Whatabout you?Doyou have a pirate outfit?”
I shook my head. “Justmy normal faire outfit.”Though, in all honesty,Iwas already worried about wearing that all three days if this heat wave continued. “Can’tIjust wear normal clothes?”
“I mean, you can,”Amysaid, “but dressing up is half the fun.Trustme.Assomeone who was new to all of this last year, it really does feel more fun if you participate.”
“I can make you something, if you’d like,”Philsaid, and every other person in the room,Ethelincluded, whipped their heads to look at him.
“Excuse me?!”Amybarked, indignant.
“Yeah, not fair!”Chloesaid. “Forthem, anyway.”
Fatima saw the confusion on my face and leaned over to explain. “Philused to make all our costumes, but he’s been making us fend for ourselves lately.Somethingabout not taking advantage of him?”
“Exactly,”Philsaid to her. “I’vemade so many outfits for each of you at this point thatIcould costume a full production ofAMidsummerNight’sDream.ButI’venever made anything forTeddybefore.”
“That’s okay,”Isaid, holding my hands up to fend off the others’ ire.Ialso wasn’t sure it was worth it;Iwouldn’t exactly be around for any more events, wouldI?Intwo months,I’dbe gone. “Idon’t wanna get in the middle of anything.”
“Don’t listen to them,”Philsaid. “I’mdone with everything else, soIcan help you pull something together this week.Nothingelaborate, but something more than just normal clothes.”
“You really should let him,”Jacksaid, leaning over to me. “He’sreally good.”
I looked around at all the others, making sure they weren’t actually annoyed, but they seemed to be over it already.Chloe, as usual, was as quick to lose interest as she was to get riled up; she was already scrolling on her phone.
“Okay, sure,”Isaid with a shrug. “Thanks,Phil.”
Then he sprang up from the sofa and clapped his hands together. “Okay,I’llneed to get your measurements, then.Fatima, do you have a tape measure?”
Fatima shook her head, soPhillooked over atJack.
“I know you’ve got a builder’s one in that car of yours.Goand get it, please.”
AsJackobediently trod outside, despite the heat,Philknelt in front ofEtheland started talking to her about something that sounded like “jacquard”.Ifigured he’d let me know what he needed from me, soIturned back toFatima.
“How does it feel to officially be on summer holidays?”
She smiled in relief. “Sogood.I’vedone sweet fuck all this week, and it’s been marvellous.”
I laughed. “Goodfor you.ButIguess no hot teacher for a while?”
As if that had been her sleeper agent trigger word,Chloe’sattention snapped up to us. “Hotteacher?”
Fatima narrowed her eyes at me. “Screwyou.”
I tried to nod solemnly, butIhad to bite back a smile. “Sure, sure.”
