Page 58 of The Mission

The studio audience clapped and cheered. Everyone in the room shot each other glances

“We’re second or first,” Rurik said.

“We’re not going to win,” Julian said. “Are we? I mean…are we?”

“And in first place, winner of one hundred thousand pounds is…”

Another long pause.

“Three Plus One!”

For a moment, no one reacted. Arlo wondered if he’d heard that right and he wasn’t just imagining he’d heard their name. Then everyone was shouting and yelling and the camera was in Rurik’s face and he was being asked to talk on live TV.

“Congratulations!” Dig said.

“Thank you.” Rurik’s voice was croaky. “We’re completely overwhelmed. Thank you so much to everyone who voted for us.”

“We’ll be seeing a lot more of you in future, I’m sure,” Jonah said. “Tell us which charity is getting the money.”

“We’re giving it to a music school in the area where we filmed the video,” Rurik said. “They can make changes to the premises and buy more instruments. Help children and adults.”

“That’s fantastic. Don’t you think so, ladies and gentlemen?”

The audience cheered.

When the cameraman and his assistant had gone, they all relaxed. Arlo’s father opened two bottles of champagne and made a toast.

“I was very proud of you all tonight. You’ve worked so hard and you deserve this success. Well done!”

Arlo and Conrad snuggled back on the chair.

“Want to give up the day job?” Arlo whispered.

“No. Not unless we get a call from Simon Cowell.”

Rurik’s phone rang on cue and they both froze.

“No way,” said Arlo.

“It was fun and I’d love to do it again,” Conrad said quietly. “I really like the idea of us putting videos on YouTube or Spotify, but I don’t think it’s fair to expect Rurik and Julian to travel around playing all over the country, or in other countries, when they’ve got young families. And you have a tricky job.”

“Just the two of us could do it.”

Conrad cocked his head. “Would you want to?”

Arlo hesitated. Hedidwant to but he was aware that if he said that, Conrad might feel he had to agree.

“They might not want just two of us,” Arlo said.

“But if they did?”

“If…” Arlo took a chance. “Yes. For a while. It would be fun, don’t you think?”

Conrad’s smile would have taken Arlo out at the knees if he hadn’t been sitting down.

“If they want two of us then?” Conrad whispered.

“Rurik is going to kill me if you resign.”

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