Page 56 of Before the Encore

Miserable parents dragged screaming children out by their elbows. The shouting and shrieking carried over the upbeat music as hundreds of tourists busied the shop. Madison opened up her arms. “Welcome to paradise.”

Large and colourful M&M figurines towered over them, people posing as cameras flashed.

“Jesus,” Ruby muttered as she observed the M&M characters posed mid-strut across the shop like the Beatles in the iconic Abbey Road photograph.

“Even he can’t save you now.” She tugged her arm. “Come on.”

Madison dragged Ruby through all four floors of chaos, making Ruby try on numerous hats, T-shirts, and even an M&M dressing-gown. They browsed every candy-themed item—water bottles, plates, pens, socks, slippers—squeezing through the huge crowds.

“Why?” Ruby asked, holding up a chocolate-themed whisk and measuring cups.

“Why not?” Madison shrugged and picked up a creepy-looking mug with a face. “The only thing they don’t have is an M&M-themed dildo. Maybe I should speak to the cashier.”

“Gross!” But Ruby laughed, plucking some highlighters from another shelf and looking at the price. “Jeez. My student loan wouldn’t cover this.”

“Ruby.” Madison grabbed her sister’s arm, spotting a sign boasting ‘the world’s largest candy wall’. “Look!”

Even Ruby seemed intrigued, hurrying ahead of a family and leaving Madison waiting to squeeze through with all their bags. The entire wall held every colour of M&M’s, including rainbow ones, which Madison immediately flocked to. She plucked up a paper bag to pick some out for Kam, spotting a mix filled with different shades of pink. Maybe she should get some for Bonnie too.

“OMG!”

The accompanying scream jolted her, and she spun to find a group of teenage girls with their mouths hanging open.

“It’s her! It’s Madison Moore!”

“Can we get a picture?”

“Sure.” Madison flashed her best smile as several phones appeared in her face. She posed for a few pictures, but the crowd, sensing something was happening, had tripled around her. “Ruby?” she called, but more people closed in.

“Where’s Bonnie?” someone asked. “Is she here too?”

“When are you two going to go public? You’re ultimate couple goals!”

Shit. Madison glanced around, searching for an exit, but the large M&M figurines blocked the way like security guards. Where is Ruby?

Maybe going to one of the heaviest tourist areas hadn’t been such a great idea. But Madison didn’t usually get recognised.

“Excuse me.” Madison tried to make her way through the crowd, but her bags got caught on people. More phones reached out. People touched her shoulder, pulling her back. Bodies pressed in, hot and suffocating. “Ruby!”

People ducked and covered their ears as a high-pitched wail cut through the air. The fire alarm blared, and everyone around her screamed, panicking and pushing. Her eardrums pinched painfully, but she only had one focus. She had to find her sister.

* * *

Bonnie knocked on Katy’s door. The sun beat down on her back, but the English breeze tickling her neck kept her cool. The uniform line of new-build houses mirrored each other, their white stone, white windows, and neat driveways a quiet pocket of suburban family life. Her gaze drifted to the assortment of toys strewn across Katy’s front garden, the tiny sprinkle of chaos that made her best friend’s house stand out from the rest. Bonnie couldn’t wait to see her.

The door swung open, and Katy squealed, pulling her in for a big hug. “You’re here!” She squeezed her tighter. “You’re really here.”

Bonnie breathed in her friend’s lavender detergent, relaxing as the comforting smell blanketed her. “It’s good to see you.”

Katy tugged her inside. “We can’t let Colin at number fifty-one spot you. He’s a right nosy git.”

After taking in all the small changes to the house—a new lick of yellow paint in the kitchen, new family photos in the hallway, more plants withering in the window—they sat outside under a parasol, sipping cold lemonade.

“So…” Katy loosened her blonde ponytail, shaking it out and letting it rest below her shoulders. “Tell me everything.”

“We always start with me. I want to hear about you.”

Katy waved her hand. “Come on. I’m living vicariously through you. Give me the goss.”