Page 108 of Sky Full of Stars

“That isn’t so bad. If you want, I can leave you a supply of batteries at your place when I go feed the plants. You wouldn’t want anything to seize up while you’re waiting for him.”

“You’re right Brooke,” I say dryly. “You do need to get laid.”

She splutters for a few seconds then we both laugh.

“Can’t wait to see your face, Montanari.”

“Or yours. Kick the DA’s ass.”

“Oh,” she gave me a smug grin. “I intend to wipe the smile of that sexy bastard’s face.”

“Sexy?!” I shriek. “Oh my God, do you have a thing for the DA?”

Brooke looked as if she’d swallowed her tongue. “Be right there!” she shouts.

“Don’t you dare pretend someone wants you,” I pull the phone closer to my face.

“I really do have to go now,” she says, her hand reaching to end the call.

“Are you seriously going to hang up on me after that comment? Just because we’re not in the same country doesn’t mean you can avoid me!”

“It was such a pleasure chatting. But I have to run. Byeeee.”

The screen went blank as she ended the call.

The last few days of the tour are a whirlwind of difficulties, I barely have time to worry about Brooke and this DA guy. We encounter our first real issue in the Birmingham bookstore. A shipment of Elle’s books hasn’t arrived in time for the signing. They have limited stock and a queue of people waiting to buy and have a book signed. There is nothing I can do, short of staff rushing to get stock from the other stores in the area to bring over. The majority of fans don’t seem to mind, they got other books signed, already brought their own copy or Elle was signing stationery the store provided. Elle offers to take photographs but there are a few disgruntled people who don’t seem to understand Elle wasn’t involved in the provision of the actual books, and started bad mouthing her on social media.

Elle didn’t seem bothered about those people, she focused on the fans who were there to meet her and was as wonderful with them as the fans hoped one of their favourite authors would be.

The manager promises to give out a book token to anyone who wants to buy the book after the fact, with money off, at their cost. It isn’t the same as getting a book signed by the author but people take them up on it. It isn’t ideal, but it isn’t as disastrous as I thought when in the midst of the panic.

After the signing, we go straight to the airport and fly to Dublin. We check into The Alex Hotel, which is a beautiful and modern building on Fenian Street, close to Trinity College. I absolutely adore my room, with its dark wood, plush carpets and beautiful décor. I could have spent the night lounging in my room but Elle and Kevin want to go to Temple Bar, the famous drinking district of Dublin. It is a twenty minute walk, the weather is nice and we get to see some of the sights.

We will spend three days here before finally heading home and with only one event, a book signing, reading and Q&A session tomorrow we have plenty of time to relax for the final leg of our trip. Part of me is looking forward to getting back to New York, but another is disappointed my time in Europe is almost over. I can’t complain, in the last two months I’d gone to so many new places, seen some amazing sights and had some really fun times meeting new friends and, of course, I can’t forget Adam. He makes a lot of it that much more special.

The band is on their way to Liverpool for a show. I have his schedule memorized and follow them on social media, including the infamous “Warwick” Instagram page, which has quietened down some. There are still daily posts, someone photo-shopping images of the Warwick in various different locales. Adam told me, as much as Bianca isn’t thrilled about the idea of the Warwick getting its own page, even she had to admit it brought the band a lot more publicity, positive too, but the police are no closer to finding out what happened to the band’s equipment.

As we head into the third bar of the evening, and more than a little tipsy my phone buzzes with a text from Nick. We’ve text back and forth a few times over the last couple of days. Adam passed on my number and doesn’t seem to mind his friend chatting with me.

Nick: check this out….

A picture follows of the four of them on a street next to a bronze statue of John Lennon, leaning against a brick wall with his hands in his pockets. Jordan holds his drumsticks up as though playing the top of the statue’s head, Archer is striking a similar pose as the statue, looking off into the distance and Adam and Nick are pulling goofy faces, their hands held up high. I let out a laugh and show Elle and Kevin.

Me: Wow! Super jealous, have you been to the Cavern Club?

Nick: Nah, Bianca would have a conniption if we got in an enclosed space. We’re just tryna be incognito to see some sights

Me: Not sure you’re doing a good job of blending in

Nick: LOL

Another photograph comes from Adam this time. One of them has held up their band t-shirt so it looked like Lennon is wearing it.

Adam: Look where we are! This is more like the t-shirts you should be wearing

Me: Nick just sent me a pic too. I’m sure he would have been a huge fan!

Adam: Course he would. It’s so awesome here, you’d love it.

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