Best Friends Rock! (8 page)

“Oh?” Francesca looked surprised. Then her expression cleared. “Well, no doubt he leads a busy life. Did you make another date?”

“Not exactly,” said Ellie. “He's going to get back to me.”

“Fair enough,” said Francesca. She thought for a moment. “You know, occasionally I think there's going to be an article in something, but for one reason or another it just doesn't work out.”

Ellie looked at her. “Really?”

Francesca nodded. “Really. Your original idea was excellent though, and if you do get what you need from young Joe Steel I'm sure there's a good piece there waiting to be written.”

She smiled, and suddenly Ellie felt a whole lot better. Francesca wasn't at all suspicious about Ellie's lack of copy, and if Connor could come up with the answers she wanted she'd be sorted. “Is it okay if I go for an early lunch?” she said. “I could take Ferdinand at the same time and go to the park. It's a really nice day.”

“Okay,” said Francesca. “Why don't you? Angel has a whole load of clothes for you to unpack, but you can do that this afternoon.”

Ellie glanced at Piano on her way to collect Ferdinand, but Piano didn't make any remarks about the interview, Joe, or anything else. In fact she totally ignored Ellie, and kept on working. Ellie had the feeling that she'd got away with it. Unless she chose to write about being temporarily duped, no one would ever know.

By the end of the day, Ellie was on top of the world. She'd had great fun unpacking the clothes. Angel was going to profile a new, young designer and almost her whole collection had been delivered so Angel could choose which clothes to photograph and feature in
Heart
. Ellie absolutely loved the funky dresses, cool tops, and especially the new jeans. Angel wanted to know what she thought, and Ellie hoped Angel might put some of Ellie's thoughts in her article. The collection had been sold to one of Ellie's favourite fashion stores, and already Ellie was planning what she would buy for herself when they became available. But then, Angel had suggested Ellie take a couple of things from the collection to wear, and test her friends' reactions. It was an amazing way to end the day, and Ellie went for her bus with a designer carrier bag in her hand and a big smile on her face. With Angel, you never quite knew what might happen next, but her offer had totally raised Ellie's mood. She couldn't wait to show off her new top and jeans to her friends. She could just imagine their squeals of excitement as they realized that they were getting a sneak preview of new designs that hadn't made it onto the high street yet.

That evening, while Ellie was getting ready for bed, her phone buzzed. As soon as she heard the sound she couldn't help herself, and her heart leaped, hoping it was a message from Hannah. She leaned over and grabbed the phone, but the text was from another friend, Naomi.
Weekend starts here! Coffee tomorrow. Usual place. Bex's birthday. 11.00.

Ellie hadn't forgotten about Bex's birthday. In fact she had a sweet little purse all ready to give her. It would be good to see some of her school friends too, so she texted back straight away.
I'll be there!
Then she put the phone down, and climbed into bed with her father's notebook in her hand. Ellie had made a couple of notes during the interview with Connor, before she'd known that he wasn't Joe Steel. Francesca had suggested that Ellie should think about it over the weekend, to see if she could make do with what she'd got, or if she really needed more. Ellie already knew she didn't have anything like enough information for an article, but based on what Connor had told her about him Ellie had decided to rough out a few really good questions to ask the real Joe. Before she could find the right page her phone buzzed again. The message wasn't from any of her school friends, or from Hannah. It was from Connor.

Can you get into town tomorrow morning 11.00ish?

Ellie read the text several times. She wasn't sure how to respond. Had Connor persuaded Joe to meet her? She hoped so, but he hadn't made it very clear. And he'd suggested the same time as Bex's birthday get-together. That was annoying. But maybe she could combine the two? Then she could give Bex her present, see her friends, and meet Connor and possibly Joe too, all at the same time. They could always stay on after everyone else had left, so she could ask her questions. Ellie grinned. It would be fun to have a boy, or even two, in tow that no one else knew. Her friends would be intrigued, maybe even impressed! Yes! It would be a winner on so many levels. Her phone would be buzzing after everyone had met them. They'd all want to know who the boys were, and how she'd met them, but she wouldn't tell until Connor and Joe had left the city. And she had her cool new clothes to wear too. Saturday morning was going to be fun!

Before she could change her mind, Ellie texted Connor, telling him that she'd meet him in town. She told him the name of the café, which wasn't too far from the hotel, and hoped he'd agree to meet there. She didn't tell him that her friends would be around. That might put him off. She sent the text and then lay back with her hands behind her head, waiting. After a few seconds he texted back to say that he'd be there.

Ellie put the phone away and settled down to sleep with a smile on her face. Tomorrow would be great. Let Connor think that he and Joe were just meeting her. He'd tricked her. Why shouldn't she trick him a little? Except it wouldn't really be a trick. He hadn't said they wanted to meet her alone, and she hadn't said she wouldn't be. She remembered the way he'd hurriedly kissed her, and her smile widened. Of course she wanted to get enough information about Joe for a good article, but there was no reason why she shouldn't enjoy herself as well. Ellie was looking forward to meeting Joe, but she was also looking forward to seeing Connor again. In fact she was looking forward to it very much indeed.

On Saturday morning, Ellie rolled out of bed determined to make a splash at the café in town. It wasn't just her friends who hung out there. Lots of people did. It was a cool place to be seen, and today she had her new jeans and top to show off, as well as the two boys, who she hoped would turn up. She took special care over her make-up, ate a piece of toast, grabbed her bag and left the flat, banging the door behind her.

She was in good time to catch the bus, and it wasn't too long before she was there. The whole area was buzzing with people enjoying their weekend, but Ellie saw Naomi almost straight away. She had managed to bag their usual table in the window of the café, and was waving wildly at Ellie through the glass. Ellie went in, queued to buy a drink and took it over to the table.

“Cool top!” Naomi said at once. “I don't think I've seen it before. And are those new jeans?”

Ellie put her drink down and grinned at Naomi. “They're from a new designer…so new they're not in the shops yet!”

“No! Really? Wow!” She stood up to give Ellie a hug, and nearly knocked her drink over. “I suppose you got them from
Heart
?”

Ellie nodded.

“I'm sooo jealous,” said Naomi. “Go on, turn round so I can see them properly.”

Ellie twirled around and then sat down with a giggle.

“Wait till everyone else gets here,” said Naomi with a grin. “They'll want to know all the details!”

It wasn't many minutes before most of the other girls arrived. Soon there was a whole gaggle of them, squealing their admiration for Ellie's new clothes.

“I only got them because Angel had finished with them,” said Ellie. “And the deal is that I come back with some reactions from you lot.”

“Does that mean we might get our comments in the mag?” said Alice.

“I suppose it might,” said Ellie.

“Okay. So write this down,” said Alice. “Love the new cut of the jeans, and the detail on the pockets.”

Ellie scribbled the comment in her notebook. Then Bex, the birthday girl, arrived and Ellie's clothes were forgotten in the crush, as everyone went to hug Bex and give her cards and presents. They all watched as she undid one small parcel after another. Soon the table was a sea of coloured paper and envelopes. Ellie and the others helped clear away the rubbish, making room to admire the make-up, coloured pens and chocolates that people had given Bex.

“I like your top,” said Bex to Ellie after the presents had been discussed. “The colours really suit you.”

“Thanks,” said Ellie, but she wasn't allowed to say any more because Naomi butted in with a grin.

“You won't believe how grand our Ellie has got,” she said. “She's now wearing designer clothes before they're in the shops!”

Ellie laughed. “They're going to be in a fashion store,” she said. “They'll be everywhere so they're not exclusive designer.”

“Well
someone
had to design them,” said Naomi firmly.

Ellie got out her notebook and pen again, and scribbled busily until everyone had had their say. By the time she was able to put her pen back in her bag, Ellie was sure Angel would be impressed with all her friends' comments.

And Ellie was enjoying herself so much that for the moment she had forgotten all about Connor and Joe, so she was a bit startled when, all of a sudden, Connor appeared. The girls were looking at him a bit strangely as he stood there, trying to attract Ellie's attention. “Oh, hi, Connor!” said Ellie, getting up and looking vainly for any evidence that he'd managed to bring Joe with him. “Are you on your own then?”

“I guess,” he said. “Sorry.”

“Are you American?” asked Alice.

Connor nodded.

“Whereabouts are you from?” said Naomi.

“California,” said Connor shortly.

“Wow!” said Alice. “That's a cool place to come from.”

Ellie could see that Connor didn't seem very comfortable surrounded by her friends, but she didn't feel too bad about it. After all, with no Joe, it seemed her article was still a forlorn hope. Maybe he deserved to suffer a bit as penance for letting her down. In any case, her friends weren't horrible, and she knew they'd soon put him at his ease.

But Connor didn't seem at all happy, and kept shooting agonized glances her way. It seemed obvious that he wanted to speak to her alone, but Ellie wasn't about to desert her friends. Surely he could wait until they left? Naomi and Alice were talking about going shopping, and Bex, along with best friend Fi, was going to meet up with her parents for lunch and a West-End show.

“Are you coming shopping with us?” said Naomi to Ellie, as Bex and Fi left the café.

“Not this time,” said Ellie, glancing at Connor. “I've just saved up enough for my mum's birthday, and if I go shopping with you I know I'll spend it all.”

“Yeah, right!” said Naomi, nudging Ellie's arm. “We understand.”

Eventually the girls all left. Connor slid into the chair opposite Ellie and stared at her. All of a sudden she could see that he looked almost scared.

“What's the matter?” she asked, with a tremor of alarm.

“It's Joe,” said Connor. “He's gone.”

“Gone?” said Ellie. “You mean he's sloped off again?”

“No,” said Connor, and it was obvious how upset he was. “I think he's run away, Ellie. And I'm almost sure he's left the country!”