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“Oh. Right, of course.” Max blinked, handing Edward a ten-pound note. “Just give me four strips and keep the change,” he added.
Edward did just that. “You look awfully confused.”
“No, I just…” Max turned to me. “There are condom machines in women’s public toilets?”
I stepped aside so someone else could buy some tickets. “Yes, I’ve never understood that, either. They’re more common than the sanitary products. Doesn’t make much sense. Personally, women have no need to wear one, so I’ve never much understood the need for them to be in there.”
“It doesn’t make much sense, does it? Strange.”
“What other animals are going to be in this show then? Is it all done in the beer garden?”
“No. It’s somewhat of a parade down the high street.”
“How exactly does that raise money for charity? Do you just donate?”
“Mm, not exactly.” He pulled me back out of the way of a woman with a goose wearing a bonnet. “That part is not so much fundraising as it is… betting.”
My eyebrows shot up.
“There’s a book at the bar. It’s technically not legal, even though everyone knows it happens. Even the police place bets.”
“Yes, but what are you betting on?”
“Who wins.”
“That’s it?” I blinked at him. “So you come here, raise money, watch some farm animals dressed to the nines parade down the street, and then sing karaoke?”
Max put his hands in his pockets. “The parade is once a year. It was just a coincidence that you happened to be here to experience it, but karaoke really is a ride in itself.”
I was starting to doubt him. Although it wasn’t like I’d expected to have a farmyard animal fashion show, so perhaps karaoke would surprise me after all.
“Ellie, this is great.” Kev grabbed my arm. “Have you seen that pig? It’s wearing a bow tie!”
Oh, God.
“Don’t get any ideas,” I warned him.
Knowing him, he’d start dressing up all the animals at the rescue.
“No, no, hear me out.” He held up his hands. “We can dress up the rescue animals for adoption.”
Yup.
What did I just say?
Or think. Whatever.
“Think about how much attention they’d get if we had dogs in top hats and ducks in suits and bonnets and—”
“I think you need to go home,” I said, interrupting him. “Before you get anymore crazy ideas.”
“I’d adopt a dog in a top hat,” Max interjected.
I looked at him. “That’s not helping.”
“That’s very helpful.” Kev patted his arm. “I’m off to see if I can take photos of these animals before they parade. Oh, and put a tenner down for that pig to win, would you?” he asked me. “That’s one spiffy bow tie.”
He disappeared swiftly, and I blinked after him, then slowly turned to Max. “I guess I have to bet on the pig.”
