Angel Dares Read Online Free PDF Page B

the theory about the butterfly wings causing the hurricane. ‘Please, don’t. If it rains, then so be it. Wading through mud is part of the experience. I’ll be fine.’
    ‘We’re only a phone call away.’
    I chuckled. ‘I know, but this is Brighouse-by-Sea we’re talking about. You know: sandy beaches, bucket-and-spade kids, pensioners with flasks. It’s not as if anything will happen to me, is it?’
     
    Jay had made it clear that, as ‘not one of the band’, I was responsible for getting myself to the festival. No place in his minivan for me, he announced at our last rehearsal. Had he heard about the photo of him I had stuck to the dartboard on the back of the shed door? I found that great therapy. Seventh Edition’s loss was my gain as Will had hired a car so he could drive us to the south coast and I’d far rather travel with my friends. The plan was to arrive in good time for Wednesday, the first day of the festival. Gifted weren’t expected to pitch up much before their performance on Friday. I had a gig on Thursday and Will wanted to give me time to prepare the ground and get to know my way around backstage.
    Poised by the window next to the front door, I was out of the house even before Will tooted the horn outside. The others were already in the car: Summer in the front, Alex and Misty in the back.
    ‘Hi, guys!’ I jumped down the steps and shoved my tent in the boot, ignoring the fact that it was full to the brim already. It would fit somehow. Dad followed with my rucksack. He and Will had to unpack to fit everything in.
    ‘I can’t imagine how you’re going to carry all this stuff,’ Will marvelled. It was true that my rucksack was as big as me and possibly heavier.
    ‘Excuse me: performer .’ I tapped my chest. ‘I have to be prepared for my public.’
    ‘She just wants to impress Gifted,’ said Misty shrewdly. ‘Once they are in the room, you’ll not get another word of sense out of her.’
    ‘It’s not my fault they are all so … oooh … talented and hot.’
    ‘But most of them are way too old for you,’ said Summer.
    ‘But that’s not the point: I admire them as musicians.’
    ‘Yeah right,’ muttered Alex.
    I plonked myself next to Misty. With my two violins on my knee, it was a squeeze, but we managed it.
    ‘Two?’ asked Alex.
    I patted the black rock violin. ‘One for stage—and the other because … well, just because.’ I had had a strong hunch that I should bring my folk one too. Savants learn to listen to instincts.
    ‘Angel doesn’t like to be parted from Freddie,’ explained Misty.
    ‘Freddie?’ Alex looked doubtfully at the battered case that held my second instrument.
    ‘No, she hasn’t got some creepy ventriloquist doll in there!’ laughed Misty, obviously having read Alex’s mind through their telepathic link. ‘Freddie the Fiddle.’
    ‘I should explain I named it when I was nine, in honour of rock legend Freddie Mercury.’ The problem about having such old friends is that they never let you forget an unfortunate nickname or silly thing you did when at primary school. At one stage, it had even been painted in Tipp-Ex across the lid. ‘I’ve not called it that for years.’ At least, not when other people were present.
    The boot crunched closed. I hugged my violins closer to my chest, relieved I’d had the foresight to keep them with me.
    ‘Give me Freddie,’ said Summer. ‘I’ve room by my feet.’
    ‘You can have Black Adder.’ I passed her the rock violin. ‘Freddie stays with me.’
    Dad tapped on the window and I pushed the button to bring it down to say goodbye.
    ‘Have a lovely time, all of you. Bring her back in one piece,’ Dad said to Will.
    ‘Yes, sir. Thanks for the loan of your daughter.’
    Dad smiled doubtfully and then stood back to let us go. My parents may be reluctant to let me out of their sight but they don’t get in the way when they know I really want something.
    ‘I’ll text when we get there,’ I