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“That's one good thing...” Bryn disappears and returns with a litre bottle of water, which he throws at me and I deftly catch.
“I'm not interested in who you all are, I just want the experience of doing this. I'll stick to the background, okay?”
Bryn studies me. “No. I don't like you around this scene.”
“I promise I won't tell Mum what naughty things you get up to.”
“Very funny, Tegan. Listen, we've mellowed, but this isn't the environment for a girl.”
My mouth falls open; Bryn doesn't usually talk down to women. “I'd like to hear you say that to Ruby Riot's lead singer! She'd have your balls for that bullshit.”
“Ruby's different.”
“Why? She's not much older than me!”
“Lots of reasons. Tegan, you can't tour with us.”
“I'm here, aren't I? Tough.” I put my feet on the nearby low table and drink the water, waiting for Bryn's next move.
“Jesus!” Bryn drags his phone from his pocket and hits the screen. Watching me with a tired look, he barks at the unfortunate person who answers. “Who's tour managing? I need their help.”
Bryn walks into the nearby bedroom, continuing his conversation and I shuffle down into the cushions. Yawning, I ignore my growling stomach and fight against posting an Instagram update about my arrival.
A couple of minutes later, Bryn reappears, crosses towards me, and grabs my arm. “Right. You. Downstairs.”
I drag my arm away. “I'm not leaving!”
“Yeah, not tonight. Come on.” He pulls open the door and heads out.
“Or tomorrow!” I call after him as I follow. The heavy door slams shut behind me. “You promised!”
My voice echoes along the quiet corridor as Bryn strides along the carpeted floor to the elevators.
As I reach him, the elevator door slides open and we step into the confined space. “Does Mum know you came here?” he asks.
“Kind of.”
“Kind of?”
The doors close and I rest against the wall as Bryn hits the button. “I told Mum I was travelling again. She's cool with what I do as long as I'm back for uni in September.” I pause. “You should take a leaf out of her book and notice that I've grown up.”
“I'd noticed,” says Bryn as the elevator moves down, lurching my stomach. “Andthatis the problem.”
* * *
Bryn ushers me to a quiet cafe area close to the lobby, the space filled with empty metal tables surrounded by high-backed upholstered chairs. I sit and pull some cash from my back pocket and grab a menu. “I’m starving.”
“I'll buy you something. What do you want?”
“No. I can pay my own way.” I offer a Euro note. “Just a sandwich. Any filling; I don’t mind.”
He ignores the money and heads off, returning a few moments later with Turkish bread wrapped in paper and a tall cup of coffee.
“Thanks, Bryn.”
He sighs. “No problem. I'll ask Tina to sort you a room.”
“Cool, thanks.” I unwrap the sandwich and take a huge bite, savouring the freshness of the cheese and ham. The meal on the plane over here wasn't enough to fill a child.
