‘OK.’ Olivia motioned for Amy to follow them down the sidewalk.
Soon the neon Mister Smoothie sign flashing ‘Fruitastic!’ came into view and as they crossed the parking lot, Mr Vega seemed to be staring at everyone. Amy was trilling in a high-pitched giggle to whoever George was and Ivy was still muttering about zombies.
Today is turning out to be a strange day, Olivia thought.
‘Ciao, darling,’ Amy said and rounded on Olivia. ‘It’s your fault I’m stuck in this tiny one-horse town. The least you could do is help me find a decent cup of coffee.’
Amy was right. Jackson and his family had wanted to get out of Hollywood, and Jackson had convinced them that Franklin Grove was the place to go, because of the good school and quiet lifestyle.
The thought made Olivia want to skip the rest of the way.
‘Madam,’ Mr Vega put in. ‘There are many delightful things hidden in our little town.’
‘If you can’t find a delight,’ Amy replied, ‘how can it be delightful?’
‘Why don’t you try a smoothie?’ Mr Vega said.
Olivia was astounded. Mr Vega had become a Mister Smoothie spokesperson!
‘Never mind,’ Amy said. ‘Just tell me where Jackson is.’
Olivia shrugged. ‘I think he’s with Brendan.’
‘And who’s Brendan?’
‘He’s my boyfriend,’ Ivy put in.
Amy narrowed her eyes. ‘And what exactly are they doing?’
‘Just hanging out, I guess,’ Olivia replied.
‘Jackson does not just hang out.’ She looked Ivy up and down, taking in her black combat trousers and skull-and-crossbones T-shirt. ‘If he goes goth, I will never forgive you. He’s already turned down a new big-budget movie series called Striker.’
‘He did?’
‘It would have taken him to St Petersburg for the summer,’ Amy went on. ‘But instead he wants to audition for the school play of Romeo and Juliet. The school play!’
Olivia grinned as Amy stalked off, exasperated.
‘That woman needs a vacation,’ Mr Vega said as they pushed open the door and stepped inside the brightly coloured restaurant.
The three of them approached the counter. Olivia already knew what she wanted, but Ivy buried her nose in the menu.
‘I’m pleased to hear your school is putting on Romeo and Juliet,’ Mr Vega said.
‘Me, too,’ Olivia said. She was planning to try out for the role of Juliet.
‘But, soft! What light through yonder window breaks?’ Mr Vega said, putting one hand on his heart and the other pointing towards an imaginary balcony. ‘I played Romeo once or twice in my youth.’
‘Do you mean what neon horror assaults mine eyes?’ Ivy asked.
‘I would never be so rude.’ Mr Vega smiled.
The serving girl – it was the same one as on the last visit, Olivia recognised her cow-shaped earrings – looked baffled at their return. ‘Welcome to Mister Smoothie?’ It was more a question than the usual perky statement. ‘I’ll be your elixir mixer.’
‘I’d like a small Cookies and Cream,’ Ivy said.
‘And I’ll have a Mini-Mommy Pear Perk-Me-Up,’ Olivia said.