She gives me a small smile. “Well, I think so, but apparently that just means I’m ‘in the pay of big pharma’ and these days every opinion must be respected, even when it’s clearly bullshit, so what can you do?”
I sip my drink. My god, I had no idea this influencer thing was so complex. I just want some free clothes and to be one of the ones who get a free Virgin Atlantic flight.
“You know what this mojito needs?”
“Rum. It needs rum.”
She nods solemnly.
“To be honest,” I continue, “I only ordered it because all the others have tacky names – Sex on the Beach? Screaming Orgasm? I thought this was a classy joint.”
She laughs. “So what’s a classy boy like you doing here?”
“Well, there’s a thing…” I say. And I tell her. I tell her it all. I keep it as brief as I can, highlights, bullet points, anything I’ve said that’s particularly witty or clever.
“Your ex dumped you at prom?” she says, when I’ve finished.
“Oh, you’re back at the start? Yes. That’s basically the shape of it.” I drop my eyes, but when I glance up again, she’s staring at me with pity.
“That’s so shitty,” she says. “Actually, that’s just terrible behaviour.”
I shrug. “Well, hey, things happen.”
She studies me for a moment. “Why aren’t you more angry? Isn’t this what this whole highlights reel is about? Revenge?”
“Maybe.”
She nods. “I could get on board with that.”
I laugh. It comes out a little nervous. “What do you mean?”
“Jack, you might be exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
I’m all ears. Literally, I just want to hear everything she is about to say.
“Influencing is so much bullshit. All I’m doing is using my platform to sell people crap. But what you need is sweet, sweet revenge. So much worthier! And so much fun!” She grins at me, eyes sparkling. “Maybe I could help you? Maybe I could see what I could do to get you some shots he’ll be envious of.” She slurps the last of her mojito. “How about a festival?”
My eyes widen. “Um, yes!”
“I’m doing a promo for one in a couple of days, I could easily swing some extra passes for you and Nate.”
This is all too fabulous. And then I remember the slight issue. “Um, I might need one or two more, you see—”
She smiles at me. “Aww, I wondered how you were getting about when you’re not even old enough to buy alcohol. You’re with your parents, aren’t you?”
I feel my cheeks heat up a bit. “Kinda.”
“Cute.”
The worst word that any boy hates being described as.
“That’s fine, Jack. It’s a family-friendly festival, so actually a real family would be fine. I’m going to give you my number…” She holds her hand out for my phone and I watch, mesmerized, as she types it in.
“I won’t sell it on any forums,” I tell her when she hands it back to me.
She frowns. “Wow. Thanks.”
“OK, but I’m just saying. You can trust me.”
“Message me tomorrow for the deets,” she continues, ignoring me. “And let’s really show your horrible exes just what an amazing summer you’re having!”
*
There’s absolutely no point in asking his dad – it’s Nate’s mum who makes the decisions in this family, so it’s her I must persuade. I have an angle, I just hope she goes for it.
“Afternoon!” I chirp, approaching her sun lounger by the side of the pool. She’s wearing a floppy sun hat and a white linen smock, and honestly, her skin is so pale I’m worried she’s going to do herself an injury sitting out in the sun like this. “Some much needed R and R, I see!”
She takes her sunglasses off. “Are you boys having a nice day?”
“One word – fabulous.”
She laughs. “It is nice here. Where’s my son and does he still have an attitude problem?”
I sit down on the edge of the lounger next to her. “This thing with Tariq hit him hard. I’m working on it.” I swallow, my stomach heavy. “You know, he’s been actually laughing with Elliot…”
“They still get on well, do they?”
“Oh, yes, they … really well. You know, I was thinking, maybe Elliot could come along with us for a bit? If you guys don’t mind. I think … Nate might really like that?”
She meets my eyes, trying to work me out. She’ll have a job; I’m not sure I can work me out. I’m just doing a nice thing for Nate – so why do I feel kinda weird and sad about it? “Does Nate like him?” she says.
“Pfft. How should I know? I don’t know.” Really now, she should know the rules: parents don’t get to ask their kid’s mates about stuff like that.
She leans towards me. “Say no more,” she whispers, giving me a wink.
“OK, then.”
“This trip is all about going with the flow, because as Mick keeps telling me, I’m lacking spontaneity!”
I seize my chance. “OK, well, that’s a good motto to live your life by—”
“It really isn’t.”
“OK, but sometimes living in and for the moment can be a—”
“Really stupid thing to do.”
“OK, but also it can be—”
“Irresponsible.”
“And—”
“A recipe for waking up in one, two or five years’ time with a truckload of debt, no pension, and the only thing you have to show for it is some photos of some donkey trek in Peru.”
“OK, but—”
“Oh! The stories you’ll be able to tell, though!” She smiles, looking wistfully into the distance.
“Exactly!”
“Which is lucky, because stories are all you will have, as you freeze to death while eating pot noodles in a damp bedsit because you didn’t bother getting a job, but at least you ‘lived life’.”
“How do you fancy attending a festival?”
“Jack.” She closes and opens her eyes slowly. “No.”
My eyes widen. “OK, but festivals are fun.”
“Jack,” she says. “A festival? Really? Think of the germs.”
“And the fun!” I say. “Just for one or two nights? See, we’ve been given free tickets by an Instagram influencer I met, and it’s a family festival, which means it won’t be
