Love and Other Drama-Ramas! by Sarah Webb Read Free Book Online Page A

intermission. “Should I ring your mum?”
    “No, I’m feeling a bit better now.”
    “Are you sure? You look terrible. Your eyes are all red and blotchy.”
    I figure I should just tell Clover the truth — but Mills gets in there first. “Bailey,” she says, “was in one of the other boxes with a girl from school. He’s cheating on me with one of the D4s.”
    Clover says something very rude under her breath and then sighs. “Poor you. Sometimes boys can be evil. Would meeting the band help cheer you up? I have a special invitation from Mr. Showbiz himself to rendezvous backstage. What do you think?”
    Mills manages a smile. “Yes, please.”
    Clover grins. “Good. And we’ll do a quick pit stop in the ladies’ to cover up those old blotches. I never travel without my trusty makeup kit — just in case. This way, troops.”
    After visiting the loos, we walk down the corridor to the left of the stage. Clover has a word with the Billy Goats Gruff security man, who nods, stands aside, and opens the door for her.
    “Follow me,
chiquitas,
” Clover says.
    I’m not sure what I was expecting — trays of posh sandwiches, pink cupcakes, champagne in silver buckets — but I think I’ve been watching too many Hollywood movies. The backstage room is pretty plain — two sofas, some plastic chairs, and a table with some bottles of water, paper napkins, Pringles, and ham-and-cheese sandwiches. The room smells of stale cigarette smoke and sweat.
    Brains bounces over, throws his arms around Clover’s waist, and lifts her off the floor. “What did you think, babes?”
    Clover laughs. “Unhand me, beast, you’re all sticky.”
    He plonks her back down.
    “You were fan-dabby-dozy,” she goes on enthusiastically. “Best set ever. ‘Caroline’ was amazing. And ‘Burning Love,’ genius.” They start discussing the crowd’s reaction to the playlist, song by song.
    Mills is standing against the wall, looking glum.
Siúcra
. I want to do something to help her, but what? I’m so angry with Bailey for spoiling all this for her. What is he playing at?
    I touch Clover’s arm. “Can I talk to you for a second? Sorry to interrupt, Brains. And loving it so far.”
    He smiles and tips his fingers to his head in a salute. “No worries, little lady. She’s all yours. And the second half will be even better. Sure as dogs have fleas.” He breaks into a deep, growly Johnny Cash accent. “We’ll be rockin’ this joint like it’s Folsom Prison.” If being good at accents is a basis for a relationship, then he and Clover are truly made for each other.
    “What’s up, jelly tot?” Clover asks as soon as Brains has wandered off toward the food.
    “I don’t want Mills to miss the second half, so I’m going to confront Bailey. See what I can do. At the very least it might stop him from kissing Annabelle in front of Mills. Wish me luck, and keep an eye on her for me.”
    She smiles. “You’re a good
amigo,
Bean Machine. I’ll be rooting for you.”
    I walk back to the main hallway and up the stairs to the boxes opposite ours. I find what I hope is the right door and stop outside it to take a deep breath, and then I pull it open before I chicken out. I peer in, expecting to see Bailey and Annabelle sucking face — but Bailey’s alone, playing with his mobile.
    He looks up as I walk in. “Amy.”
    “Bailey.”
    We stare at each other. He looks awkward and embarrassed. He keeps running his hands through his dark hair and moving his fringe across his face, as if protecting himself from my scowl.
    “I wasn’t expecting to see you here,” he says eventually. “Or Mills. Is she OK?”
    “How can you be such a lying, cheating pig?” I say, anger rippling up and down my spine. “No, she’s not OK. She’s heartbroken! I can’t believe you’re flaunting Annabelle in her face like that. What are you doing with her, anyway? What’s going on?”
    He shrugs. “Annabelle’s dad got free tickets. She asked me this